New payment schedules for the excise tax and new formulas for calculating import duties are likely to complicate customs requirements for U.S. exporters. Changes to the VAT, on the other hand, eliminate this tax on some important types of transactions. Excise tax must now be paid on first-time excisable goods imported to Russia where clearance under interstate customs agreements is not applicable.
Excisable goods used to produce non-excisable goods are also subject to excise tax.
New deadlines for excise tax payment are now in force, as well. Excise duties on goods sold between the sixteenth and the last day of the month must be paid no later than the fifteenth day of the second month following the reporting month. Excise tax rates have been increased on most goods. Notably, the tax rate for automobiles has increased from 5 percent to 10 percent, although cars with engine capacity of less than 2,500 cubic centimeters are now exempt. The combined rate is directed at small traders suspected of under-reporting the true value of imports.