How to export goods to Russia (import into Russia)

Documentation

Main documents to be provided by the Seller for import of goods to Russia are:

  • Contract between seller and buyer, 2 copies certified by the consignee. This needs to be bilingual, incl. Russian.
  • Commercial Invoice.
    The Commercial Invoice should have reference to the Contract, clear description of the goods, quantity, weights, and Customs commodity codes. Please note that HS codes in Russia differ from other parts of the world so the correct Russian HS code must be used. It is highly recommended but not obligatory to have net and gross weights for each commodity code in invoice (if invoice does not have this information, packing list is required with this information, packing list should have reference to corresponding invoice). Invoice should either have above mentioned information in 2 languages including Russian.Packing list is required with this information, packing list should have reference to corresponding invoice. Invoice should either have above mentioned information in 2 languages including Russian.
  • Technical description / documentation of the goods giving clear idea what materials goods consist of and what is the use of the goods. This information is needed for the Russian Customs to identify goods correctly.
  • Certifications and Licenses if required according to Russian laws.
    Requirements for certification are mentioned for each commodity code and should be checked prior to shipping the goods.
  • Shipping documents depending on means of transport (CMR, sea bill of lading, rail waybill, air waybill).
  • Other documents – a wide range of commercial, shipping and technical documents which might be requested by the Russian Customs if they start question the price or correctness of commodity code applied (for example: certificate of origin, export declaration, market prices for the same commodity codes in exporting country or on local market, etc.).

Payment of import tax and duties.

The payment of the import tax and duties has to be carried out by the legal Russian importing entity (consignee named on the transport document). The payment is made direct to the Russian customs via bank transfer. In order for that to happen the consignee needs to be registered with the Russian customs (this is a one-time registration).

Only the consignee (Russian legal entity) is by Russian law allowed to pay the import tax and duties – a logistics provider is not allowed to do this. DDP shipments are not allowed.

In some instances a legal importing entity may not exist – in this case the Importer Of Record (IOR) system may be used in certain circumstances, should this case arise please contact us for further information.

Strong Recommendation: Please do not send any shipments without pre notification. Lack of required documents or documents made not in full compliance with the Russian legislation may result in goods being detained at the Russian Customs resulting in substantial additional costs.

Important note

In the case of FCL exports to Russia it is imperative that the container is officially weighed prior to arrival at the overseas port of departure.

Russian customs are very keen on weighing containers on arrival to Russian ports of discharge.

If a discrepancy is found between the declared weight and the weight on arrival to Russia this will lead to a customs inspection – additional storage and all of this may result in a considerable surcharge which the importer will be liable for.

Further the nominated forwarder will face administrative actions from the Russian authorities – the fine may be in the region of USD 800.



Get an instant quote online

Get instant quote

They trust us

VK:08431