BUDAPEST, December 4. /TASS/. The tightening of customs restrictions in relation to Russian citizens in the European Union is a throwback to the Middle Ages, Russian Ambassador to Hungary Evgeny Stanislavov told TASS.
"The inventors of the Brussels sanctions seem to have drawn this shameful practice from the Middle Ages, when European barons simply robbed those passing through their territory, not considering it a crime, and even saw it as a sign of valor," the diplomat said commenting on the EU authorities’ decision to institute stricter controls over the movement of goods from Russia across the border.
When asked whether there is any data on the seizure of sanctioned items from Russian citizens by Hungarian customs officers, including personal items, Stanislavov said: "With regard to Hungary, the embassy does not have information about cases of Russian citizens having their personal belongings confiscated here based on the updated amendments to European customs legislation."
Clarifications from Customs
Earlier, the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary announced that it had put tighter controls over the cross-border movement of goods from Russia to comply with EU sanctions, but would apply bans on items from the personal luggage of Russian citizens only to a proportionate and justified extent.
In response to a request from a TASS correspondent, the Hungarian customs service said it had "intensified monitoring of traffic from Russia, is working closely with other authorities and keeping an eye on the developments related to sanctions."
"The checks are aimed at establishing the origin of the declared goods, which can be used to determine the presence of any prohibition, licensing requirement or exception," the administration clarified.
The controls cover road, rail and air traffic, which means that they are enforced at the Budapest International Airport and at land border checkpoints.
In accordance with Article 3i (1) of the EU Council Regulation No. 833/2014 on the imposition of sanctions, the goods listed in Annex XXI were prohibited.
The administration reminded that "Russian citizens are not allowed to import their own cars into the EU, since their possible sale - including through private individuals - could bring (tax) revenue to the Russian state and economy."
"With regard to goods (for example, laptops, smartphones, clothing and cosmetics) imported into the EU by Russian citizens in their personal luggage and intended for personal use only during the trip, prohibitions are applied only to a proportionate and justified extent, since they do not generate significant income Russia," the press service of the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary noted.
About personal items
When asked if personal belongings subject to sanctions can be confiscated from Russians, including tourists, at the border, the department explained that "if the number of goods intended for import, listed in Annex XXI, exceeds the quantity indicating their personal use, then import sanctions are applied to them."
"If goods forming part of the personal luggage of Russian citizens cannot be imported into the EU in accordance with the sanctions provisions, then the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration will apply appropriate sanctions and may refuse entry. For example, in the case of motor vehicles," the press service added.
According to the press service, the goods specified in the annex to the EU Council resolution "bring significant income to Russia, which allows it to take measures that destabilize the situation in Ukraine."
"The import ban is aimed at depriving Russia of income from the sale of goods listed in Annex XXI," said the press service of the Hungarian Tax and Customs Agency.