VORONOVO DISTRICT, 24 March (BelTA) – How the Lithuanian side processes trucks at the Benyakoni border crossing after the decision on the possible exit of Lithuanian-plated semi-trucks was made has been described to a BelTA reporter by Chief of the Benyakoni Customs Post of the Grodno Regional Customs Dmitry Parfenov.
Dmitry Parfenov stated: “In the previous 24-hour period, on 23 March 2026 the Lithuanian side processed only 22% of the trucks the customs clearance station Benyakoni can process. The Benyakoni 1 station can clear 250 outbound vehicles per day.”
The actual vehicle clearance rate is even lower at the Kamenny Log border crossing: only 13% of the throughput capacity, which stands at 500 vehicles per day.
“The Lithuanian [customs] service takes it slow although yesterday Belarus’ State Customs Committee sent an official proposal to increase the speed of truck clearance at the border,” Dmitry Parfenov noted.
BelTA reported earlier that after hearing a petition from Lithuanian and Polish shipping companies, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko decided in favor of the possibility of Lithuanian-plated trucks leaving the country. These vehicles have been in Belarus’ territory since November 2025 due to unfriendly actions on Lithuania’s part to close border crossings at the Belarusian-Lithuanian border. The vehicles with Lithuanian registration plates can leave Belarus’ territory into Lithuania in accordance with the legislation. Lithuanian vehicles, which are owned by Polish shipping companies, can also leave for Poland where personnel on the other side work harder. Belarus’ Customs began the relevant work on 23 March. The vehicles may leave the country once the shipping companies have paid the vehicle storage fees, which are now several times lower than the previous rates.
Dmitry Parfenov added: “In evenings and at night when banks are closed, a procedure has been agreed to allow representatives of shipping companies to pay the vehicle storage fees at the cash settlement centers of the border crossing.”
Representatives of Belarus’ Customs pointed out that how fast vehicles can cross the border is up to the Lithuanian side. The State Customs Committee sent a proposal on clearing more trucks to the Lithuanian customs service on 23 March.
Over 1,900 vehicles have been parked in designated sites up till recently, including tractor trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers. They were kept safe for the entire period.
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