Lithuanian carriers have recovered over half of trucks detained in Belarus

The flow of Lithuanian trucks returning from detention in Belarus has slowed in recent days, border officials said, as transport industry groups estimate that more than half of the seized vehicles have already been recovered.

According to the State Border Guard Service, about 860 trucks have returned to Lithuania via the Medininkai and Šalčininkai border crossings over the past three weeks.

However, the national road carriers’ association Linava said such figures may not capture the full picture, noting that some companies could have retrieved vehicles through neighbouring countries.

The International Transport and Logistics Alliance, which represents 25 large companies, maintains that Belarus had detained around 1,000 trucks and semi-trailers, with several hundred still expected to return.

State Border Guard Service spokesperson Giedrius Mišutis said the number of vehicles returning has declined since April 8.

“The flow has slowed slightly, but the checkpoints remain operational. There are the usual queues on the Belarusian side, but those returning are passing through,” he said.

“Since April 8, practically nothing has changed, and the numbers remain in the single digits per day at each border point,” he added.

Since Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko authorised the release of the vehicles on March 24, around 420 trucks have returned through Medininkai and about 430 through Šalčininkai, according to the service.

Data shows a steady decline in returns: an average of 47 trucks per day in the first week, 46 in the second and 22 in the third. Since April 13, the daily average has fallen to 14 vehicles.

The trucks and semi-trailers, belonging to Lithuanian companies, had been held for about four months at designated sites in Belarus before the first vehicles began returning in late March.

Carriers are required to pay storage fees before retrieving their vehicles. Belarusian authorities have said the fees are “several times lower” than the previous rate of 120 euros per day.

Linava President Erlandas Mikėnas has said some companies are unable to recover their vehicles because they cannot legally make payments to Beltamozhservice, which operates the storage sites and is subject to European Union sanctions.

Lithuania’s Financial Crime Investigation Service has warned that payments to the company – whether directly, through intermediaries or in cash – would violate sanctions.

Transport Minister Juras Taminskas has said it is too early to discuss compensation for carriers until the exact number of affected vehicles is confirmed.

Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said last week that discussions with the European Union are ongoing to ensure Belarus is held accountable for the detentions.