Pull

( Nikolai Popov )

The revision of customs tariffs is an important point of the strategic program of socio-economic development, approved in the summer of this year, and, accordingly, the priority measures of the government for eighteen months. No wonder the new tariffs were considered by the cabinet in the summer, in hot pursuit.

It was a significant reduction in duties, as well as the combination of similar products into large commodity groups. It is clear that decisions of this kind are always mutual. On the one hand, a decrease in the imported tariff to the consumer’s hand: a wider circle of goods becomes available to him, the struggle of manufacturers for the attention of the buyer is aggravated. In other words, a decrease in the tariff exerts double pressure on internal prices: the average price can decrease both due to the reduction of imports, and due to the exacerbation of competition in the market. On the other hand, an internal manufacturer is in a difficult situation, since he does not benefit from reducing customs duties (he does not pay them), and the prices of importers are falling. Moreover, not only the domestic manufacturer suffers, but also a foreigner who invested capital in the production of within the country, because the increase in the efficiency of imports of goods is accompanied by a drop in the efficiency of capital imports.

A reasonable customs policy is always a choice between the two indicated trends, the ability to reconcile them and find the optimal solution. It depends on the complex complex of factors due to both the nature of production and the social characteristics of the existing political regime. When deciding to reduce the customs tariff, the government was guided by the following circumstances. Firstly, the need to stimulate economic growth, reducing the prices of many products (primarily a technological nature and components) that are not produced in Russia (or produced, but ugly quality) and are necessary for domestic manufacturers.

Secondly, the low efficiency of customs control and the holes in the legislation, which allow you to import on preferential conditions or illegally a significant part (and for individual positions and the vast majority) of goods for the sale within Russia for nothing or again illegally. It is known that it was according to such schemes that almost all import TVs were imported to Russia (the import of TVs registered at customs is less than 1% of the sales), a significant part of the cars and so on.

Finally, thirdly, in order to simplify the customs system in order to facilitate control and stop the import of some goods under the guise of others. Say, microchips are often imported into the country as "ceramic records with a metal mesh" - it is clear that the fee for such a trifle is small. And one of the most popular imported goods was ... straw, in which, with a certain ingenuity, you can pack at least an elephant. It is extremely difficult to follow everything if the authorities do not have enough material resources - both appropriate equipment for customs and the corresponding salary for customs officers. Private interests always turn out to be stronger than state, especially during political instability.

The proposed measures are very favorable for both private (non -production) consumption and for those manufacturers whose activities require imported equipment or components. The latter vigorously welcomed new customs tariffs, and for the time being, it was precisely these moods that were dominant in society. The chorus of approval testified that the liberal idea has mastered the wide entrepreneurial masses.

However, this situation has not lasted a long time. Domestic manufacturers started directly competing with foreigners for the consumer. And then the ruble exchange rate is steadily strengthened, which also contributes to an increase in the competitiveness of imports. In a word, literally on the eve of the signing of the resolution, the lobbying efforts of a number of domestic companies, primarily from light industry, and enterprises engaged in the assembly of foreign cars, were sharply activated. Their efforts to the discussion were connected not only by government departments, but also by the Security Council. As a result of a difficult discussion, it seems, a compromise was found that satisfies all the parties, which in itself is a good sign.

At the same time, the fears of domestic manufacturers in the current economic realities seem to me not entirely justified. A decrease in tariffs even by 10% (and this is the maximum one -time decrease that the government has the right to go), according to existing estimates, cannot very much affect the price level (say, by about 3% for cars). In addition, a significant share of imported products is imported by "gray" or "black" schemes, that is, without any duties. This means that a decrease in duties in the worst case will not affect the situation in the market, but in the best, if the share of legal (that is, taxable) imports increases, will even help to equalize the conditions of competition in favor of domestic manufacturers.

Finally, let's not forget that the main problems of domestic manufacturers are associated with an insufficiently favorable entrepreneurial and investment climate, which seems to be much more important than the import tariff.

Vladimir Mau - Head of the Working Center of Economic Reforms