QUICK & EASY GUIDE

TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE IN RUSSIA

N C E +C
 hecking of risks identified

A
at earlier stage

E A R
CL PHYSICAL
MS
+ Customs fees, duties VAT

O INSPECTION
+ Confirmations of

U S T preferences or exemptions

FC
ES O
+ Data verification
+ Contract accuracy
PAYMENT –D
 iscrepancies in content,
manufacturer, country of

T A G + Price confirmation
CONTROL
origin, materials etc.

S + Valuation risk

– Wrong calculation of tax

+ Documents
+ Commodity codes
VALUE – Additional approval of
exemption/preference
+ Licenses/permits
+ Risk category CONTROL
DOCUMENT – Document discrepancy
S
– Undervalue

A Y
EL
– Lack of value proof
CONTROL – Special control category

AL D
N T I
E
– Incorrect documents
– Wrong commodity codes
– Lack of license/permits
– Special control category P O T

CUSTOMS ALLOWS THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT ITS INTERESTS AT THE

BORDER, ENABLE AND MONITOR TRADE, AND COLLECT DUTIES, FEES AND TAXES.
IMPORT ALLOWS YOU TO BRING SHIPMENTS TO RUSSIA TO BUILD YOUR BUSINESS.
DHL IS HERE TO MAKE THAT RELATIONSHIP WIN-WIN.
THIS GUIDE TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE IN RUSSIA HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO HELP
SHIPPERS AND IMPORTERS UNDERSTAND THE BASIC DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR
SMOOTH, EASY CLEARANCE OF THEIR GOODS AT THE RUSSIAN BORDER.
 THE IDEAL COMMERCIAL INVOICE

Most Russian companies will have the

designation of an OOO, OAO, ZAO (the
equivalent of “Ltd.”, “LLC”, “GmbH”
etc.), showing the type of company Your incoterms will also influence
structure, while most government enti- whether you include insurance and
ties will be an FGUP or NPO. We advise transport costs separately in the invoice.
checking this with the consignee. The DHL Express does not offer DDP.
name and address should match the
consignee’s registration documents.

Don’t forget to include

a reference to the contract
and payment terms in your
commercial invoice!

Description needs to be
as detailed as possible –
commodity name, intended use,
part/serial numbers, materials,
components, sizes etc.

Price needs to be defensible,

and supported by a price list (from
a catalogue or website etc.). Please
avoid 1 digit values per item/kilo.

For incoterms
CIP

Try to stick to the same

currency throughout
the invoice
For incoterms CIP,
CPT, DAP

HERE ARE THE DOCUMENTS THAT THE SHIPPER shipping requirements

SHOULD SEND WITH THE SHIPMENT: • Company registration documents
• One of the following documents for value confirmation: • Import/export contract
Price list verified by seller (catalogue page, print-out from • Signed Brokerage contract if Customs Broker Service is used
internet etc.); Receipt; Copy of export declaration (where • Number of passport of Import Deal (a special document of
permitted by law in your country of export) currency control issued by the importer’s bank if customs
• Permissions where required by your HS Tariff coding
value more than 50 000 USD)
(e.g. for plant products quarantine permission is required
from consignor) • Official letter to customs
• Copy of insurance certificate with insurance amount (for • Permissions issued by Russian Authorities (e.g. import
incoterms: CIP, CIF), where insurance is part of contract/ permits etc.) where required by HS (tariff) code

Attention! Extra requirements:

a) When sending registered medicine a registration certificate is required. When sending unregistered medicine Ministry of Health permission
is required.
b) When sending equipment with enciphering functions e.g. mobile phones, or any such devices with computer engineering software,
official notifications are required. Such registered notifications are available at www.tsouz.ru, the official website of the Customs Union
Committee.
c) When sending goods which are subject to the phytosanitary or to veterinary control, international Phytosanitary Inspection Certificate or
Veterinary Certificate are required from shipper to supplied units.

INTER-COMPANY SHIPMENTS HAVE THE SAME REQUIREMENTS (YOU WILL ALSO NEED TO PROVIDE A PRICE-LIST SHOWING THE PRICE ON THE OPEN MARKET)
THE IDEAL PRO-FORMA INVOICE

Most Russian companies will have the

designation of an OOO, OAO, ZAO (the
equivalent of “Ltd.”, “LLC”, “GmbH”
etc.), showing the type of company
structure, while most government enti-
ties will be an FGUP or NPO. We advise
checking this with the consignee. Delivery terms (Incoterms): DAP MOSCOW

Free of charge Delivery

Your incoterms will also influence
whether you include insurance and
transport costs separately in the invoice.
DHL Express does not offer DDP.

Don’t forget to include this

phrase! It’s very important in
a pro-forma invoice!
Description needs to be as detailed as
possible – commodity name, intended
use, part/serial numbers, materials,
components, sizes etc.
If you can’t find the
code, don’t worry. DHL Price needs to be defensible,
will help to define it and supported by a price list (from
upon arrival anyway. a catalogue or website etc.). Please
avoid 1 digit values per item/kilo.

Try to stick to the same

currency throughout
the invoice

Samples for testing

Freight cost, USD: Reason for export needs to

demonstrate that shipments
For incoterms CIP,
60 are non-commercial
CPT, DAP

Gross Weight, (total):

HERE ARE THE DOCUMENTS THAT THE SHIPPER from consignor)

• Company registration documents if customs value more
SHOULD SEND WITH THE SHIPMENT: than 1000 EUR
• One of the following documents for value confirmation:
• Signed Brokerage contract if Customs Broker Service is used
Price list verified by seller (catalogue page, print-out from
• Official letter to customs
internet etc.); Receipt; Copy of export declaration (where
• Permissions issued by Russian Authorities (e.g. import
permitted by law in your country of export) if customs value
permits etc.) where required by HS (tariff) code
more than 1000 EUR
• Permissions where required by your HS Tariff coding
(e.g. for plant products quarantine permission is required

Attention! Extra requirements:

a) W hen sending registered medicine a registration certificate is required. When sending unregistered medicine Ministry of Health permission
is required.
b) When sending equipment with enciphering functions e.g. mobile phones, or any such devices with computer engineering software,
official notifications are required. Such registered notifications are available at www.tsouz.ru, the official website of the Customs Union
Committee.
c) When
 sending goods which are subject to the phytosanitary or to veterinary control, international Phytosanitary Inspection Certificate or
Veterinary Certificate are required from shipper to supplied units.

YOU CAN ALSO CREATE YOUR OWN INVOICE STEP-BY-STEP AT WWW.DHL.COM

DHL EXPRESS FIVE GOLDEN RULES FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE IN RUSSIA
1. THE DECLARED VALUE NEEDS TO BE TRUE AND SUPPORTED BY DOCUMENTATION (ON REQUEST).
2. ALL COMMODITY DESCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE AS DETAILED AS POSSIBLE.
3. ALL DOCUMENTS NEED TO BE CONSISTENT, WITH NO DISCREPANCIES
(E.G., IN CURRENCY, SENDER NAME, etc.).
4. DUTIES & FEES MUST TO BE PAID AT DESTINATION BY THE RECEIVER (WHO WILL ALSO NEED
TO CLEAR THE SHIPMENT IN THEIR OWN NAME). DDP IS NOT AVAILABLE.
5. ACCURATE PREPARATION OF DOCUMENTATION BEFORE SHIPPING DECREASES TRANSIT TIME.

CHECKLIST BEFORE DISPATCHING YOUR SHIPMENT

4 The consignee in Russia a company (with a legal entity) and not a private individual.
4 The company’s name been placed as the consignee on the waybill.
4 The company’s name also the consignee written on the invoice?
4 The consignee’s 10 digit VAT number (INN) stated in the commercial invoice for the shipment.
4 These imported goods are for sale. If so, the details in the invoice must comply with the “Commercial Invoice sample”.
4 These
 shipments goods are sent for purposes other than sale (on a free of charge basis)? If so, the details in the invoice need
to comply with the “Pro-Forma Invoice sample”.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT CUSTOMS CLEARANCE IN RUSSIA,

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SALES EXECUTIVE OR THE CUSTOMS
GROUP AT YOUR DHL COUNTRY OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Alternatively, feel free to contact us by email at ruccg@dhl.com
WE’LL BE HAPPY TO HELP!

127083 Moscow
8 Marta St.,14
Telephone: (495) 956 1000

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