The customs authorities receive additional powers for control at Russian state border checkpoints

Pepeliaev Group advises that Federal Law No. 394-FZ dated 28 December 2010 introduces amendments to some Russian laws whereby the responsibility to perform certain types of state control is transferred to the Russian customs authorities. 

At Russian border checkpoints, the customs authorities are now responsible for all transport control, and also for performing document checks required for other types of control.

In particular, the law makes the customs authorities responsible for state control at Russian state border checkpoints over cross-border transportation in motor vehicles (transport control). Previously, the Russian Government only delegated a more limited range of transport control powers to the customs authorities.

In relation to phytosanitary, veterinary and sanitary control during quarantine, the customs authorities are now responsible for checking documents relating to imported goods upon their arrival in the Russian Federation at specialised checkpoints.

The customs authorities are entitled to decide to bring goods into the Russian Federation to be subsequently transported under the customs transit customs procedure, or immediately to take them out of the Russian Federation, or else to send them to specially equipped places located at specialised checkpoints at the Russian state border for examination by Rospotrebnadzor or Rosselkhoznadzor officers, as the case may be.

The Federal Law will enter into force 180 days after it was officially published, i.e. on 27 June 2011.
In the meantime, the Russian Government will have to establish a procedure for these types of control, including the procedure whereby the customs authorities will take decisions following document checks, and the procedure for identifying situations in which goods must be examined.

The new legislation applies neither to goods imported by individuals for non-commercial private use, nor to catches of bio-resources and products made therefrom.

The implementation of the Federal Law will speed up control procedures at specialised checkpoints at the Russian state border.

Pepeliaev Group professionals have significant hands-on experience in customs law and foreign trade regulation. They also have an excellent track record in handling administrative proceedings involving alleged violations of customs rules.
Our lawyers can provide any advice that clients may need on the application of the customs legislation of the Russian Federation and the Customs Union. Our professionals represent corporate clients before the customs authorities and in courts to argue client appeals against the decisions, acts and omissions of customs officers. They also defend clients charged with administrative offences at all stages of administrative proceedings.

For further details, please contact:

in Moscow – Galina Balandina, Partner, Head of Customs and Foreign Trade Regulation Practice, at +7 (495) 967-00-07 or by g.balandina@pgplaw.ru; Alexander Kosov, Head of Customs and Foreign Trade Regulation Practice Group, at +7 (495) 967-00-07 or by a.kosov@pgplaw.ru; Olga Evseeva, Associate, at +7 (495) 967-00-07 or by o.evseeva@pgplaw.ru

in St Petersburg - Sergey Spasennov, Partner, Head of St. Petersburg office, at +7 (812) 333-07-17 or by e-mail