# Belarus (BY) **Capital:** Minsk **Currency:** Belarusian Ruble (BYN) (BYN) **Population:** 9,056,100 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 207,600 km² > Belarus is a landlocked transit country between the EU and Russia and a key node on the China-Europe rail corridor (gauge change at Brest). Road and rail dominate; there are no seaports. Comprehensive Western sanctions (EU, US, UK, Switzerland) and border closures in 2025/2026 severely constrain trade; compliance screening is mandatory. Belarus (ISO-Code: BY) is located in Eastern Europe and borders Latvia and Lithuania to the north, Russia to the east, Ukraine to the south, and Poland to the west. The country is a presidential republic with highly centralized political structures and close economic ties with Russia. The climate is characterized as continental, with cold winters, mild summers, and moderate precipitation, influencing agriculture and infrastructure. Economically, Belarus is based on industry, mechanical engineering, chemistry, electronics, and energy, supplemented by agriculture and services. Foreign trade focuses on exports of machinery, chemical products, and food, while the country heavily relies on imports of raw materials, energy, machinery, and consumer goods. Belarus serves a strategic transit function between Europe and Russia, particularly through road, rail, and inland waterway routes. The national currency is the Belarusian Ruble (BYN), which governs the national payment system. Logistic infrastructure includes well-developed roads, railway lines, and river ports that facilitate the movement of goods within the country and abroad. The geographical location and industrial capacities make Belarus an important hub for trade and transport in Eastern Europe. **Top Import Partners:** RU, CN, DE, PL, LT **Top Export Partners:** RU, CN, UA, PL, LT **Top Import Goods:** Machinery, Chemicals, Mineral oils, Electrical equipment, Plastics **Top Export Goods:** Potassium fertilizers, Rapeseed oil, Sawn timber, Poultry meat, Agricultural machinery **Key Airports:** - [Minsk National Airport (MSQ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/minsk-national-airport-msq) - [Babruisk Air Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/babruisk-air-base-airport-2165) - [Baranavichi Air Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/baranavichi-air-base-airport-2632) - [Brest Airport (BQT)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/brest-airport-bqt) - [Gomel Airport (GME)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/gomel-airport-gme) - [Hrodna Airport (GNA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/hrodna-airport-gna) - [Mogilev Airport (MVQ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mogilev-airport-mvq) - [Orsha Airport - Balbasovo Air Base (TXC)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/orsha-airport-balbasovo-air-base-airport-txc) - [Osovtsy Air Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/osovtsy-air-base-airport-4963) - [Vitebsk Vostochny Airport (VTB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/vitebsk-vostochny-airport-vtb) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** Standard rate 20 percent, reduced rate 10 percent (including food and medicines) **Customs complexity:** High **Customs system:** Import under the EAEU Customs Code; national electronic declaration with the State Customs Committee. Belarus forms a common customs area with Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. **Customs authority:** [State Customs Committee of the Republic of Belarus](https://www.customs.gov.by) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** EU-Russia transit route / EAEU corridor **Economic area:** EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union) **Logistics risk:** High **Dangerous goods relevance:** medium **Pharma/cold chain:** low to medium ## FAQ ### Can I still deliver to Belarus from the EU or Switzerland? Only to a limited extent. Comprehensive sanctions by the EU, USA, United Kingdom and Switzerland prohibit numerous goods (including dual-use, high-tech, luxury goods). Before each shipment, the recipient, type of goods and intended use must be checked. ### Which customs system applies in Belarus? The Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) applies, with national electronic declaration with the State Customs Committee. Belarus forms a common customs area with Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. ### What is the import VAT rate? The standard rate is 20 percent, the reduced rate 10 percent (including certain foods and medicines). It is levied by the Ministry of Taxes and Duties. ### Does Belarus have seaports? No. Belarus is a landlocked country without access to the sea. Goods traffic runs by road, rail, air freight and inland waterways; sea freight is handled via ports in neighboring countries. ### What role does Belarus play in China-Europe transport? Belarus is a central transit corridor for rail freight between China and the EU. In Brest, the gauge changes between the Russian broad gauge (1520 mm) and the European standard gauge (1435 mm). ### What should be noted at the borders in 2025/2026? Poland and Lithuania have closed or restricted several border crossings; EU trucks are largely excluded. Transit times and costs are rising. Check current opening hours of the crossings before transport. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://www.customs.gov.by](https://www.customs.gov.by) - [https://www.customs.gov.by/en/](https://www.customs.gov.by/en/) - [http://www.nalog.gov.by](http://www.nalog.gov.by) - [https://www.belstat.gov.by/en/ofitsialnaya-statistika/Demographic-and-social-statistics/population-and-migration/population/](https://www.belstat.gov.by/en/ofitsialnaya-statistika/Demographic-and-social-statistics/population-and-migration/population/) - [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=legissum:4481974](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=legissum:4481974) - [https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/sanctions-against-belarus/](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/sanctions-against-belarus/) - [https://president.gov.by/en/statebodies/state-customs-committee](https://president.gov.by/en/statebodies/state-customs-committee) *Last verified: 2026-06-22* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/by](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/by)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/by](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/by)*