CUSTOMS SECTION

THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION

General Information

On December 23, 2014, the Treaty between the Eurasian Economic Union and the Kyrgyz Republic, concerning this country's accession into the EEU was signed.

The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is a political and economic union of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia. The Union officially went into effect on January 1, 2015.

The Treaty between the EEU and the Kyrgyz Republic is expected to be ratified by the contracting parties by May 2015.

Since the establishment of the Eurasian Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia in 2010, trade between the member states rose sharply by 50% and amounted to 64 billion USD.

The Eurasian Economic Union reorganized the Eurasian Customs Union and created a single economic space of five countries that provides for free movement of goods, services, capital and labor and pursues coordinated, harmonized and single policy in the sectors determined by the document and international agreements within the Union.

The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), a permanent supranational regulatory body of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Single Economic Space, is running within the Union since 2012.

The Eurasian Economic Commission is established to promote functioning and development of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Single Economic Space, elaborate proposals for further development of integration.

The EEC status is the supranational regulatory body, and the keystone of its activity is the interests of the Eurasian Economic Union as an integrative initiative where no national interests prevail over those of the Union. Decisions of the  Commission are binding within the territory of the EEU and the Single Economic Space member-states. 
For more information, please access the following link.

Winter Olympics and Formula 1 Grand Prix

The 2014 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXII Olympic Winter Games the XI Paralympic Winter Games, were a major international multi-sport event held in Sochi, Russia. Sochi, known to all Russians as one of the most popular holiday destinations, has now become known across the world due its successful hosting of the Winter Olympics.

Preparations for the Games became considerable stage in enhancing customs technologies. The Federal Customs Service developed a special section in a WEB-portal of the Federal Customs Service, which contained Olympics related information and provided consultations.

A special customs procedure providing for simplified clearance of Olympic cargo was introduced. Under the special procedure disassembled constructions, winter sports equipment and tools, electronic devices and telecommunication equipment, medicaments, 235 pieces of sport firearms, etc. were temporary imported.

In the period of January 26 to March 16, 2014, in accordance with the special procedure 1228 declarations were submitted. Temporary admission of goods in accordance with the A.T.A. Carnet Convention was performed in 528 cases in respect to lots of supplies and equipment amounting to more than 10 thousand tons with total value of 697 mln. USD. 
More than 2 thousand airplanes with 115 thousand pieces of baggage weighting 2 thousand tons, and 6 thousand air-freight cargo weighting 530 tons were cleared.

Following Winter Olympics, Sochi hosted the first Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix in history. Experience of Sochi Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games was used by Russian customs to organize preparations for F-1 Russian Grand Prix as well as ≪GP2≫ and ≪GP3≫ series events.

Special customs control zone was established within the boundaries of the Sochi Autodrom racing track, which allowed simplifying customs clearance, when 3 thousand tons of equipment and tools of racing teams were temporary imported.

For The Attention Of Travelers To Russia

The goods for a private use moved through the customs border

Passengers travelling to the Customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union by any mean of transportation must declare money in cash and traveler’s checks exceeding equivalent of 10 000 USD at import or export.

One-time export or import of cash and (or) traveller’s checks as large as an equivalent of USD 10 000 or under the sum can be declared in written form if the natural person desires so. The import of cash instruments other than traveler’s checks has to be declared in written form.

Following goods intended for private use may be imported on the Customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union in accompanied or unaccompanied luggage with the exemption of customs payments.

  • 1. Passengers travelling by air transport may bring in goods which customs value does not exceed the sum equivalent of 10 000 Euros and gross weight of which does not exceed 50 kg (except ethyl spirits and indivisible goods).

  • 2. Passengers travelling by other means of transport may bring in goods which customs value does not exceed the sum equivalent of 1500 Euros and gross weight of which does not exceed 50 kg (except ethyl spirits and indivisible goods).
    Should the thresholds be exceeded by a passenger, a single rate of 30 percent, but not less than 4 Euros per 1 kg of weight, is levied on the excess of weight or cost.

  • 3. Alcoholic beverages and beer in amount not exceeding 3 litres per one individual (who reached 18 year-old age).
    Should the threshold of 3 litres be exceeded by a passenger, but not more than up to 5 litres, a single rate of 10 Euros per 1 litre is levied on the excess volume.

  • 4. Tobacco and tobacco products in amount not exceeding 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars (cigarillos) or 250 grams of tobacco or the specified products in assortment per on one individual who has reached of 18-year-old age.

  • 5. Used goods, which were temporarily imported by individuals on customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union for a private use (jewelry, personal effects, cameras, 2 mobile phones, laptops, tablet PCs, etc.). 
    The full list is provided at the following link.

  • 6. The goods for a private use re-imported back in an invariable condition except changes owing to natural deterioration or a natural decrease on normal conditions.

  • 7. The goods for a private use delivered by a carrier or international postings sent within a calendar month to one addressee cost of which does not exceed the equivalent of 1000 euros and gross weight does not exceed 31 kg.

  • 8. Other specific cases (movement of goods by refugees, legal successors of inheritance, diplomatic or consular representatives etc.).
    For more information, please access the following link.

Temporary importation of vehicles

Temporary importation of a vehicle for private use registered on the territory of a foreign state to the Customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union is carried out without payment of customs fees under the condition that the vehicle is imported temporary for the maximum period for one year.
The procedure of temporary importation of vehicles is explained at the following link.

Forbidden and restricted goods

There is a number of goods that are forbidden or restricted to import to or export from the Customs Territory of the Eurasian Economic Union for a private use, such as weapon, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, poisonous substances, cultural valuables, etc.

Goods for private use, which are forbidden to import to and export from the Customs Territory of the Eurasian Economic Union.

  • 1. While crossing the customs border in any manner

    • 1. printed, audio-visual and other information banned from the import, export and transit through the Customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union

    • 2. service and civilian weapons, their major parts and ammunition banned from the import, export and transit through the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union

    • 3. hazardous waste banned from the import and (or) restricted from import and (or) export

    • 4. undercover surveillance and intelligence gathering equipment, which import and export from the Eurasian Economic Union is restricted

    • 5. poisonous substances that are not precursors of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances which movement across the customs border is restricted

    • 6. narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, except for a certain amount of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for personal use for medicinal purposes (in this case the necessary documents should be presented), as well as precursors in the amount allowed by the national legislations of the Eurasian Economic Union member states

    • 7. human organs and (or) tissues, blood and its components which import and (or) export from the Eurasian Economic Union is restricted

  • 2. While exporting products in any manner

    • 1. ferrous and non-ferrous scrap and waste included in the list of goods which export and (or) import is restricted

    • 2. raw precious metals, scrap and waste of precious metals, ore and concentrates of precious metals and raw commodities containing precious metals, which export from the Eurasian Economic Union is restricted

    • 3. minerals (natural unprocessed stones) which export from the Eurasian Economic Union is restricted

    • 4. information on subsoil mineral resources when the export of this information is restricted

    • 5. wild herbs (plants, parts of plants, seeds, fruits); the export of over three items of each type is restricted

    • 6. wild living animals and some wild plants (except for hunting and fishing trophies); the export of over three items of each type is restricted.

  • 3. While importing products in any manner

    • 1. ozone depleting substances which import to the Eurasian Economic Union is banned

    • 2. plant protection agents which import the Eurasian Economic Union is banned under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants of 22 May 2001

    • 3. fishing tools used for poaching, which import to the Eurasian Economic Union is banned

    • 4. over 5 liters of ethanol and alcoholic products by a person over 18

    • 5. over 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco or a set of these products weighing over 250g per one person over 18.

  • 4. By international mail (in addition to pp 1-3 of the chapter)

    • 1. alcoholic beverages, ethanol, beer

    • 2. all types of tobacco products and smoking mixes

    • 3. all types of weapons (or their parts), ammunition (or its parts), which are similar to civilian or service weapons

    • 4. radioactive materials

    • 5. cultural valuables

    • 6. perishable goods

    • 7. living animals, except for bees, leeches and silkworms

    • 8. plants in any form or condition, seeds

    • 9. precious stones in any form or condition, natural diamonds, except for jewelry

    • 10. narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, including in the form of medicines

    • 11. ozone depleting substances

    • 12. other goods banned from sending by the regulations of the Universal Postal Union and customs laws the Eurasian Economic Union.

The list of personal use goods which import and (or) export from the Eurasian Economic Union is restricted.

  • 1. While crossing the customs border in any manner: 
    Cryptographic means which import and export from the Eurasian Economic Union is restricted.

  • 2. While crossing the customs border in any manner except for international mail:

    • 1. ozone depleting substances, which import and export from the Eurasian Economic Union is restricted.

    • 2. specified amounts of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the form of medicines for personal use for medicinal purposes (in this case the necessary documents should be presented) as well as precursos in the amount allowed by the national legislations of the Eurasian Economic Union member states.

    • 3. service and civilian weapons, their major parts and ammunition, which import, export and transit through the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union is restricted;

  • 3. While importing products in any manner
    electronic means and (or) civilian high frequency devices, including built-in devices or devices that make part of other goods which import to the Eurasian Economic Union is restricted.

  • 4. While exporting products in any manner

    • 1. collections and collectibles on mineralogy and paleontology which export from the Eurasian Economic Union is restricted.

    • 2. wild plants and animals falling within the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora of 3 March 1973 which export from the Eurasian Economic Union is restricted.

    • 3. rare and endangered species of wild plants and animals, their parts and (or) derivatives included in the endangered species lists of the Eurasian Economic Union member states which export from the Eurasian Economic Union is restricted.

    • 4. documents of the national archives, originals of archive documents, which export from the Eurasian Economic Union is restricted.

  • 5. While exporting products from the Eurasian Economic Union in any manner except for international mail:
    Cultural valuables.
    The list is available at the following link.