With more people frequently crossing the Lithuanian-Belarusian border, Lithuania’s customs officers say they will step up controls to prevent smuggling.
Over 124,000 people crossed the border in January-March, almost four times more than during the same period in 2021, the customs service said.
Such frequency suggests that some travelers may be transporting goods for illegal trade, according to the customs.
“We are recording cars and drivers crossing the Lithuanian-Belarusian border several or even several dozen times a month. It seems that this is not just a matter of buying cheaper fuel and other goods for their own use,” Darius Zvironas, director general of the Customs Department, was quoted in a statement.
“For our part, we must assess the potential risks and, especially today, the danger of illegal business. Therefore, we will take preventive measures, such as stricter controls on people and vehicles that frequently cross the external border with Belarus,” he said.
Lithuanian customs officials say that since Belarus extended the visa-free regime to Lithuanians, there have been vehicles traveling across the border almost every day.
Most of the travelers make no secret that they buy cheaper fuel and cigarettes in Belarus and go there for the so-called “basket of Belarusian goods” that includes other permitted duty-free goods.
Preventive measures and tighter controls may lead to a reduction in the throughput of vehicles at Lithuanian-Belarusian border checkpoints, the Customs Department warns.
People are advised to postpone inessential trips. (LRT/Business World Magazine)