Belarus customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed July 2, 2026·Official source

Belarus enforces strict customs controls, especially on cash and goods from non-EAEU countries. The biggest risk for travellers is failing to declare cash over $10,000, which can lead to confiscation and fines. Duty-free allowances differ by mode of entry, and excess goods face a flat 30% duty.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol

1.0 L

1 litre of spirits (over 22% ABV) OR 2 litres of wine/beer (under 22% ABV). Must be 18+. Total alcohol value must not exceed €500 (air) or €300 (land) combined with other goods.

Tobacco

200 cigarettes

or 50 cigars / 250 g

Cash to declare

$10,000

Cash and monetary instruments exceeding the equivalent of $10,000 (approximately 25,000 BYN as of 2026 exchange rates) must be declared in writing using the 'Passenger Customs Declaration' form, available at border points.

Goods duty-free

$800

Duty-free allowance for personal goods: €500 (approx. $540) for air travellers, €300 (approx. $324) for land travellers. For goods exceeding the allowance, a flat 30% duty is applied on the excess value, plus €2 per kg if the goods weigh over 50 kg.

Prohibited — banned from import

Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (including cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and synthetic drugs) without a permit
Firearms, ammunition, explosives, and military-grade equipment without a license
Radioactive materials and hazardous waste
Pornographic materials (including digital) that violate Belarusian law
Endangered species (CITES) and products made from them (e.g., ivory, rhino horn)
Meat and dairy products from non-EAEU countries (e.g., EU, USA) without veterinary certification

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

Medications containing narcotic or psychotropic substances (require a permit from the Ministry of Health)
Cultural property and antiques (require an export permit from the Ministry of Culture)
Plants, seeds, and live animals (require phytosanitary or veterinary certificates)
Drones and UAVs (require registration and a permit from the Ministry of Defence)
Satellite phones and encryption devices (require a license from the KGB)

Arriving: red vs green channel

Upon arrival, proceed to the customs control area. Use the RED channel and fill out a Passenger Customs Declaration form if you have goods to declare (including cash over $10,000 or restricted items). Use the GREEN channel if you have nothing to declare. No separate arrival card is needed; the declaration form is the main document.

Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds

Belarus does not offer a tourist VAT refund scheme for non-residents. VAT is included in prices and not reclaimable at departure.

Bringing medication

Personal medications are allowed for up to 90 days' supply. Bring a doctor's prescription (in English or Russian) and original packaging. Narcotic and psychotropic substances (e.g., codeine, tramadol, diazepam) are strictly prohibited without a special permit from the Ministry of Health. Some common Western medications (e.g., certain ADHD drugs) are banned.

Food, plants & animal products

Meat and dairy products from non-EAEU countries are generally banned. Fruits, vegetables, seeds, and plants must be declared and may require a phytosanitary certificate. Honey and live animals need veterinary permits. Alcohol and tobacco are subject to the duty-free limits above.

Rules worth knowing

Duty-free allowance differs by mode of entry

Air travellers get a €500 duty-free goods allowance; land travellers (by car, bus, train) only get €300. This applies to the total value of goods including alcohol and tobacco.

Flat 30% duty on excess goods

If the value of personal goods exceeds the duty-free allowance, a flat 30% duty is charged on the excess value. Additionally, if the goods weigh more than 50 kg, an extra €2 per kg is charged on the overweight portion.

Cash declaration is mandatory over $10,000

Any cash or monetary instruments (e.g., traveller's cheques, money orders) exceeding the equivalent of $10,000 must be declared in writing. Failure to declare can result in confiscation and fines.

No duty-free shops at land borders

Duty-free shops are only available at international airports. If entering by land, you cannot purchase duty-free goods at the border.

Frequently asked questions

For land entry (car, bus, train), the duty-free allowance for personal goods is €300 (approx. $324). This includes alcohol and tobacco. If the total value exceeds €300, you pay 30% duty on the excess.

Yes, but you must register the drone with the Ministry of Defence and obtain a permit before arrival. Unregistered drones can be confiscated. The process takes several weeks, so apply well in advance.

Codeine is a controlled substance in Belarus. You need a special permit from the Ministry of Health to import it. Without the permit, it is treated as a narcotic and can lead to legal trouble. Consider switching to a non-controlled alternative before travel.

If you fail to declare cash or monetary instruments exceeding $10,000 (or equivalent in BYN), customs can confiscate the entire amount and impose a fine of up to 50% of the undeclared sum. Always use the red channel and fill out the declaration form.

No. Meat and dairy products from non-EAEU countries (including the EU) are banned without a veterinary certificate. This includes sausages, cheese, butter, and honey. They will be confiscated and destroyed at the border.

If you are transiting and do not leave the transit area, you generally do not need to clear customs. However, if you have restricted or prohibited items (e.g., large cash, weapons), you must declare them. Check with your airline for specific transit rules.

There is no specific limit on mobile phones, but they are considered personal goods. If you bring more than one or two new phones, customs may consider them commercial and apply duty. The total value of all goods (including phones) must not exceed €500 (air) or €300 (land) to remain duty-free.

Official source

State Customs Committee of the Republic of Belarus