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Recently, complaints from Belarusian consumers regarding purchases from foreign sellers have increased. In response, the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade (MART) explained what buyers need to know when concluding such a transaction, reports Belta.

Complaints have risen against foreign sellers registered outside the EAEU. They concern purchases on foreign online marketplaces that deliver to Belarus.

"Analysis of complaints shows that consumers face problems with receiving, inspecting, and returning such goods. This is because buyers do not always have complete information about the special terms of delivery and return for goods shipped from abroad (outside the EAEU)," the ministry said. "The conditions for such orders differ significantly from the usual purchases from Belarusian sellers (or sellers from EAEU countries)."

When a product is bought abroad, it is processed and shipped as an international postal parcel. The item is delivered directly from outside the EAEU to the consumer’s address, often bypassing the warehouse and logistics centers of the online marketplace located in Belarus and Russia. For this reason, inspection of the product upon receipt is absent – the consumer cannot open the packaging and verify the purchase before fully paying at the pickup point, including at RUP "Belpost" branches. Claims regarding quality, completeness, and refunds are made directly to the foreign seller. Returning the item abroad is borne by the consumer and only after agreement with the foreign seller. Consumers do not pay attention to these restrictions when placing an order and usually learn about the limitations and shipment status only at the moment of receiving the order; Belarusian consumer protection legislation does not apply to such arrangements.

Moreover, it is important to understand that a foreign online marketplace merely provides a platform for the foreign seller to list its offer; it is not the seller itself. It does not verify the quality of the product and therefore is not liable to the buyer for substandard quality, non‑conformity with the description, or for consumer rights violations in disputes or when defects are discovered.

Experts at MART advise that before placing such orders, you should carefully review all information about delivery terms, the procedure for receiving, inspecting, and returning goods, as outlined in the product card and on the website itself (the public offer regulating such orders).

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