Tariffs and regulations
Tariffs and duty rates are constantly revised and are subject to change without notice.
Austrade strongly recommends you reconfirm these prior to selling to Russia.
For further information please see the Russian Federal Customs Service website (in English and Russian).
Tariffs and non-tariff barriers
Tariff
Russia makes regular adjustments to its national import regime, including tariffs and licensing. Frequent changes and imperfect communications can lead to inconsistent interpretations of Russian customs regulation. It is essential to have a competent intermediary or partner in the market. It is recommended that Australian exporters contact Austrade in Moscow or Vladivostok with specific enquiries. Russia is not yet a member of the World Trade Organization.
Tariffs are constantly revised and are subject to change without notice. Duties are usually ad valorem, assessed on the CIF value (Incoterms 2000) at the point of crossing the Russian border. Many types of goods are subject to minimum values on a per kilogram basis as prescribed by Russian customs. Deemed values are an effort by the authorities to crack down avoidance through ‘dual invoicing’ practices.
On 1 January 2010, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan entered into a Customs Union. A common customs code took effect on 6 July 2010. Border customs controls between the three countries are scheduled to be removed in mid-2011 and there are plans for the gradual elimination of other customs controls between the three markets. Clients are advised to seek advice from Austrade on the impact of the Customs Union.
Non-tariff barriers
Customs requirements in Russia are often complex and time-consuming. Generally the Russian company is responsible for customs procedures. Austrade Moscow and Vladivostok are pleased to provide advice on customs matters and refer you to specialist Russian customs agents and brokers if necessary to clarify specific issues.
Import duties apply to most goods. In addition to general customs requirements, import licences and product-specific approvals are required for a wide range of items, including food and beverage products, pharmaceuticals, industrial equipment and more. Pre-shipment technical inspection (at the exporter’s expense) may sometimes be required.
Product certification, labelling and packaging
Labelling and marking
All products sold in Russia must include relevant information about the product in the Russian language. It is also recommended that bulk shipments also contain basic information written in Russian.
Goods should be securely packed, having due regard to the nature of the goods, means of transport and likely climatic conditions. It is important to take into account the specifics of the Russian market, including its often extreme climatic conditions and rough handling on roads, railways and ports.
Outer containers should bear the consignee's mark and port mark and should be numbered (to accord with packing list), unless the contents can be otherwise readily identified. The contract number must be shown on the outside of containers.
Accurate document is vital in Russia. Failure to comply with the documentation specified by your importer/customer can lead to lengthy delays and additional expense.
Special certificates
A very wide range of goods require a certificate of conformity to allow customs clearance. Some of these requirements are mandatory while some are voluntary. The certificate must refer to Russian safety standards and may be obtained prior to export from local Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) offices in Australia. Alternatively, certification can be handled on arrival in Russia through Gosstandard, although this may entail lengthy delays in customs clearance.
Austrade Moscow can provide detailed information on certification processes and introductions to service providers who can assist. Details should be clearly confirmed with your importer or customer.
For further information contact:
SGS Australia
Tel: +61 8 9473 8100
Fax: +61 8 9472 5556
SGS Moscow
Tel: +7 495 775 4455
Fax: +7 495 775 4450
The list of products requiring certification includes the following:
- agricultural and foods products
- children’s clothing
- footwear
- prams
- toys
- electrical and telecommunications equipment
- transportation equipment and tools
- pharmaceuticals and healthcare products
To receive a certificate of conformity for food products and additives, a hygiene certificate is necessary. These are usually issued by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) on the basis of health certificates (commonly issued by AQIS), together with testing of a product sample by an independent laboratory accredited by the Russian health authorities.
All goods of animal origin require the appropriate veterinary certificate indicating that they are free from disease. Australia has in place dual-language veterinary certificates for a series of products, although this list is not exhaustive. Australian veterinary certificates for other products (those not covered by agreed certificates) are normally acceptable, provided they meet the requirements of the equivalent Russian certificates. For specific advice, exporters should contact their Russian partners, Austrade Moscow, AQIS, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or state-based agriculture authorities.
All plants, plant parts and plant products (other than dried vegetables) require phytosanitary certificates issued by the competent authority in the country of origin. In Australia this is usually the AQIS, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or the state/territory Department of Agriculture.
All medicines and pharmaceutical goods should be registered or certified by the Russian Ministry of Public Health. Special labelling and packaging requirements may apply.
Methods of quoting and payment
Quotes in US dollars and cost, insurance and freight (CIF) (Incoterms 2000) are preferred, either CIF to a major port or CIF Moscow.
All hard currency settlements with Russian companies and organisations should be made through authorised Russian commercial banks (to the exporter’s bank). Some exporters prefer the customer to make payment from hard currency accounts held offshore in countries such as the UK, USA, Switzerland, Cyprus, Luxembourg, etc.
An increasing number of Russian buyers are demanding flexible payment options, mainly revolving credit lines (Russians do not normally use letters of credit due to high local interest rates). Normal precautions should be exercised but trade finance arrangements in the Russian market increasingly reflect international norms.
Foreign payment records of Russian companies (if any foreign payments have been made) may be obtained via information services such as Dun & Bradstreet and CoFace. Some companies obtain this data in lieu of credit reports, which are not always available in this market. Corporate credit bureaux such as CoFace have recently started appearing in the market in Russia, but the level of information available is generally less than in more developed markets.
Documentary requirements
Advice provided here should always be confirmed in advance with your importer or customer, as requirements vary.
Commercial invoice
There is no prescribed form of commercial invoice. Usually a minimum of seven copies must be supplied (the number is normally stipulated in the contract). Details must be provided in accordance with the payment conditions of the contract. The invoice must show:
- country of origin
- details of packing materials
- marks and numbers of packages
- weights (net, gross and tare)
- quantity and description of goods
- unit prices and total shipment value
- selling price to purchaser
- place of final dispatch from country of export
Bill of lading/airway bill
No special requirements. A minimum of three copies must be provided.
Packing list
Six copies are required, providing a summary of the total shipment.
Certificate of origin
The terms of the contract determine whether the seller or buyer obtains insurance for the shipment in question. When the seller (under the covering contract) has the right to purchase insurance, instructions from the importer and insurance company should be followed closely to prevent problems.
Public health requirements
The Russian Federation maintains strict standards and controls over quarantine, safety, health, food and drugs. Some certificates are obtained by the importer in Russia after clearance of goods through customs but before sale. Some need to be obtained by the exporter prior to clearance through customs (preferably prior to departure from Australia). See 'Special certificates' below, particularly for hygiene certificates.
Weights and measures
The metric system is used throughout the Russian Federation.