Following the meeting, the Commission decided to raise the lower rate of customs duty on imports of cane raw sugar from $140 to $165 per metric ton. The upper limit of the duty rate was left intact, at $270 per metric ton. Simultaneously, the Commission agreed to shorten the period for applying the seasonal duty on raw sugar imports by a month. Thus, the new duty rates within a range of $165-$270 per metric ton will apply from May 1, 2009.

The Commission supported the proposal to cut customs duty on imports of the means for contact lens care and artificial eye care from 15% to 5%.

Members of the Commission also decided to preserve the current customs tariffs on imports of some petrochemicals, including monoethylenglycol, polyethylene, polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomers, and nonwoven geotextiles. With regard to an increase in tariffs on terephthalic acid and mylar, the issue will be raised again after its thorough examination.

Moreover, the Commission supported the proposal of the Federal Customs Service to separately itemise the types of mazut fuel oil in the Goods Nomenclature for Foreign Economic Activities of the Russian Federation.