Alexander Kosov, a Partner at Pepeliaev Group and Head of the firm’s Customs Control and Foreign Trade Regulation Practice, participated in the annual practical conference “Customs Control 2026: From Inspection to Resolution. Practice of Identifying Customs Violations, Protecting Rights and Interacting with Customs Authorities”. The conference was held at the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 15 May.
The event brought together representatives of customs authorities, the expert and legal communities, and businesses to discuss current issues in enforcement practice, how to protect the rights of those involved in foreign trade, customs control, and interaction with customs authorities.
Alexander Kosov’s presentation focused on the resolution of customs disputes at the pre-trial stage and in court, as well as key issues relating to adjusting the customs value and how to classify goods.
During his presentation, the expert examined the specific features of administrative and judicial appeals, their advantages and limitations, and practical opportunities for optimising the process, ranging from the choice of defence strategy and jurisdictional issues to reducing expenses on state duty. He drew particular attention to interim measures, the risks associated with the accrual of penalties, and approaches to protecting the interests of those involved in foreign trade.
A separate part of the presentation was devoted to disputes concerning the classification of goods under the Customs Classification for Foreign Trade (in Russian, abbreviated to TN VED) and customs valuation. Alexander Kosov discussed the main reasons why customs authorities change classification codes, analysed the appropriate course of action where a different product code is correct, and examined the most common categories of disputes over customs valuation, including issues relating to licence payments, relationships between related parties, transportation costs and other factors affecting the amount of customs duties payable.
About the Practice
Pepeliaev Group’s Customs Law and Foreign Trade Regulation Practice is one of the leading practices in Russia. The team comprises experts with extensive experience working in customs authorities and major international companies, as well as of representing clients in customs disputes before commercial courts and courts of general jurisdiction. The team is able to provide support in complex, large-scale projects as well as in ongoing matters in Russia and abroad.
The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), legislative authorities, higher courts and federal government bodies engage our lawyers as experts to develop and improve customs legislation as well as to establish consistent approaches to how it is applied
