Presents for St. Petersburg's anniversary to be not subject to customs' duties

Presents for St. Petersburg's anniversary will not be subject to customs' duties.

The customs regime of "import of goods intended as presents to St. Petersburg in connection to the 300th anniversary of its foundation" has been established by the Russian government.

The cabinet's resolution will come into force since May 15th, the day of its publishing in the governmental newspaper, Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

The document says that gifts for St. Petersburg's anniversary "are free from duties and can be brought to Russia without being imposed any economy policy measures".

The resolution covers legal relationship that emerged from January 1st to December 31st.

As it was disclosed to Rossiyskaya Gazeta by Head of the Accounts Chamber Segei Stepashin, Japan, for instance, presented a small garden with all national attributes including a tea house, made presents to elder houses and orphanages and donated also several monuments.

"Germany made a big contribution into restoration of the Amber Chamber, turning it into a real masterpiece," Stepashin stated in his interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta. The Amber Chamber was stolen by fascists during the World War II /1941-1945/ from the country residence of the Russian Emperors. The thieves left no traces. Russian masters restored it. They worked for 20 years and used about six tons of amber.