Legal opinion for a logistics operator

• describing the structure of what is known as the "Big Port St Petersburg";
• describing procedures that the goods undergo when imported into Russia on sea vessels through the above-mentioned sea port and subsequently transshipped to motor vehicles to be delivered to the consignee. This included describing the functions and roles of all state authorities and commercial structures involved and how they interact;
• analysing customs benefits and simplified procedures that a company may use if it is qualified to apply the regime of 'industrial assembly of motor vehicles' and has obtained the status of an authorised economic operator. These benefits and procedures may have a great influence on the way customs authorities exercise control over imported goods when they arrive at a sea port and are placed under the customs procedure of customs transit.

The project was unique because at a sea port, several state regulators and commercial entities operate that offer different services (sea agents, pilot, navigation, icebreaking, hauling, mooring, informational, communications, stevedoring, warehousing and customs clearance services). The model for all the authorities and entities to work together depends on the particular features of the location of a sea port. Our memo helped the Company to streamline its business processes and cut the relevant costs, with account being taken of the customs status of the clients to which it was offering its services.

The results of our research were used to develop proposals for implementing the Plan for improving the transport situation at sea ports, as approved by Resolution No. 739-r of the Russian Government dated 30 April 2014.