Belarus Basic Guide For Business Travel

Time: Local time is GMT +2.

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts 50Hz; European two-prong plugs with circular pins are in use.

Language: Russian and Belarussian are both official languages, with the majority speaking Russian.

Health: The main health risks associated with visiting Belarus are tick-borne encephalitis (for those who intend foot-slogging through the forests), measles (outbreaks occur) and diphtheria, so travellers should ensure they are vaccinated against these diseases. Typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccinations are also recommended. There have also been recent cases of human rabies infection in the country areas, identified as originating with bites from foxes, raccoon dogs and cats. Visitors should not drink unpurified tap water, unpasteurised milk or consume undercooked food. Medical care is limited and essential medications are frequently not available. Medical facilities lack modern equipment. The best equipped are private clinics, which are available in Minsk. Doctors and hospitals expect payment in cash. Travel health insurance with air evacuation cover is highly recommended.

Tipping: It is adequate to round up the bill or taxi fare, but a 10% tip for excellent service will not go amiss.
Safety: Most visits to Belarus are trouble free. The crime rate is very low, however precautions should be taken against mugging, pock-pocketing and theft from vehicles or hotel rooms. There have been instances of theft from travellers on sleeper trains between Warsaw and Moscow.

Customs: Do not take photographs of government buildings, military installations or uniformed officials. Be aware that jaywalkers are heavily fined. Whistling inside a building is considered bad luck.

Business: Appointments should be made well in advance through a local third party with a good reputation and connections. When meeting, a brief handshake is sufficient. Meetings are usually formal, and negotiations can be protracted. A great deal of concessionary bargaining is expected. Bureaucracy and legal matters in Belarus are very complicated so it is best to hire local professionals to assist.

Communications: The international dialling code for Belarus is +375. To dial out on an international call dial 8, wait for the tone, then dial 10 followed by the country code, area code and number you are calling (e.g. 8-10 44 for the UK). Payphones are widely available but most cannot be used to call internationally. Payphones operate only on special cards, sold at post offices and newspaper kiosks. There are four mobile network operators in Belarus, two of which operate GSM networks. Coverage is good in the major towns and along the highways, but not available in rural areas. Mobile phones may be rented from local service providers. The Internet can be accessed from a network of state run (Beltelecom) cybercafés, and some private cafes, in the major towns.

Duty Free: The duty free allowance for visitors entering Belarus is one litre of spirits, one litre of beer, 200 cigarettes or 200g tobacco, 5 pieces of jewellery, 3 items made from natural fur or leather, one watch, and 4 tyres. There are weight restrictions on luggage (110lbs or 50kg) and the value of luggage contents may not exceed 1,000 Euros. Anyone arriving with more than US$3,000 must fill in a currency declaration.