Customs - Russia

RUSSIA

CUSTOMER MUST BE IN RUSSIA PRIOR TO ARRIVAL OF SHIPMENT.
Note: It cannot be overstated how important it is that all the below documentation is prepared and received by the destination agent before the shipment arrives in Russia. Should proper documentation need to be collected after the shipment has arrived, extra charges and delays are unavoidable.

(I) SURFACE SHIPMENTS

CUSTOMER TYPE	DOCUMENTS REQUIRED	IMPORT DUTY	REMARKS
Diplomats (possessing a diplomatic card)	Copy of the diplomatic card; Application for import from the embassy (sample will be provided by the destination agent).	Household items can be imported into Russia duty-free.	The customer has to arrive in Russia to obtain the diplomatic card. This process can take up to four weeks to complete. Embassy workers that do not have the diplomatic card are treated by Russian customs as non-diplomats.
Foreign Journalists accredited with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs	Copy of the journalist�s card; Copy of the first page of the customer�s passport; Copy of the customer�s Russian multi-entry visa; Russian Notarized Power of Attorney (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Application for import from the employer (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Application for import from the customer (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Russian customs application form # 2 (sample will be provided by the destination agent).	Household goods can be imported into Russia duty-free under the temporary regime.	The customer has to arrive in Russia to obtain the journalist�s card. This process can take up to four weeks to complete. The customer must complete a separate TD-10 customs form for his or her shipment, specifying the number of pieces in the appropriate box. The completed form has to be signed and stamped by a Russian customs officer at the border (see Appendix for a sample of the TD-10 customs form). The temporary import permit will be issued for the duration of the customer�s visa. The customer will need to extend the permit every time he or she is issued a new visa. Customs can levy a large fine on a person if his or her temporary permits falls overdue.
Foreign Nationals possessing a personal accreditation card	Copy of the accreditation card; Copy of the first page of the customer�s passport; Copy of the customer�s Russian multi-entry visa; Russian Notarized Power of Attorney (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Application for import from the employer (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Application for import from the customer (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Russian customs application form # 2 (sample will be provided by the destination agent).	Durable goods, e.g. furniture, household electronics, clothes, kitchenware, books etc., can be imported into Russia duty-free under the temporary regime. Other items, e.g. foodstuffs, detergents etc. are subject to import duty.	The customer has to arrive in Russia to obtain the accreditation card. This process can take up to three months to complete. The customer must complete a separate TD-10 customs form for his or her shipment, specifying the number of pieces in the appropriate box. The completed form has to be signed and stamped by a Russian customs officer at the border (see Appendix for a sample of the TD-10 customs form). The temporary import permit will be issued for the duration of the customer�s visa. The customer will need to extend the permit every time he or she is issued a new visa. Customs can levy a large fine on a person if his or her temporary permits falls overdue. Russian customs have the right to inspect the entire contents of the customer�s shipment, which can result in extra terminal handling and storage charges because the shipment will have to be unloaded into bonded storage.
Foreign Nationals not possessing a personal accreditation card	Copy of the first page of the customer�s passport; Copy of the customer�s Russian multi-entry visa; Russian Notarized Power of Attorney (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Application for import from the employer (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Application for import from the customer (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Russian customs application form # 2 (sample will be provided by the destination agent).	All items are subject to import duty.	The customer must complete a separate TD-10 customs form for his or her shipment, specifying the number of pieces in the appropriate box. The completed form has to be signed and stamped by a Russian customs officer at the border (see Appendix for a sample of the TD-10 customs form). Russian customs have the right to inspect the entire contents of the customer�s shipment, which can result in extra terminal handling and storage charges because the shipment will have to be unloaded into bonded storage.
Russian Citizens qualifying for duty-free import	Copy of the customer�s passport (pages containing the customers photograph and entry/exit customs stamps); Copy of the customer�s internal Russian passport; Copy of the customer�s foreign visa; Russian Notarized Power of Attorney (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Application for import from the employer (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Application for import from the customer (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Russian customs application form # 2 (sample will be provided by the destination agent).	The customer can import the first US$ 5000.00 worth of used household goods duty-free. The remaining items are subject to import duty.	In order to qualify for duty-free import, the customer must meet the following criteria: The customer must prove that his or her continuous period of living outside Russia exceeds six months. Russian customs will check border stamps in the customer�s passport to see whether he or she came to Russia in the past six months, which would disqualify the latter from duty-free import; The customer must complete a separate TD-10 customs form for his or her shipment, specifying the number of pieces in the appropriate box. The completed form has to be signed and stamped by a Russian customs officer at the border (see Appendix for a sample of the TD-10 customs form). Failure to comply with either of the above requirements will disqualify the customer from duty-free import. Russian customs require that the the destination agent customs broker show them the customer�s original passport. In order to ensure the declared value of the customer�s shipment is correct, Russian customs have the right to inspect the entire contents of the customer�s shipment, which can result in extra terminal handling and storage charges because the shipment will have to be unloaded into bonded storage. Besides, the shipment value can be re-assessed following the customs inspection.
Russian Citizens not qualifying for duty-free import	Copy of the customer�s passport (pages containing the customers photograph and entry/exit customs stamps); Copy of the customer�s internal Russian passport; Copy of the customer�s foreign visa; Russian Notarized Power of Attorney (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Application for import from the employer (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Application for import from the customer (sample will be provided by the destination agent); Russian customs application form # 2 (sample will be provided by the destination agent).	All items are subject to import duty.	The customer must complete a separate TD-10 customs form for his or her shipment, specifying the number of pieces in the appropriate box. The completed form has to be signed and stamped by a Russian customs officer at the border (see Appendix for a sample of the TD-10 customs form).

All import customs documents need to be filled out in Russian and will be provided by the destination agent when the customer arrives in Russia. The customer does not need to have the customs documents at origin.

(II) AIRFREIGHT SHIPMENTS

CUSTOMER TYPE	DOCUMENTS REQUIRED	IMPORT DUTY	REMARKS
Diplomats (possessing a diplomatic card)	Copy of the diplomatic card; Application for import from the embassy (sample will be provided by the destination agent).	Household items can be imported into Russia duty-free.	The customer has to arrive in Russia to obtain a diplomatic card. This process can take up to four weeks to complete. Embassy workers that do not have the diplomatic card are treated by Russian customs as non-diplomats.
Foreign Journalists accredited with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs	Copy of the journalist�s card; Copy of the first page of the customer�s passport; Copy of the customer�s Russian multi-entry visa; Russian Notarized Power of Attorney (sample will be provided by the destination agent); the customer will also need to make on notarized copy of the power of attorney; Application for import from the employer (sample will be provided by the destination agent);	Household goods can be imported into Russia under the temporary regime duty-free.	The customer has to arrive in Russia to obtain a journalist�s card. This process can take up to four weeks to complete. Russian customs at the airport require that the the destination agent customs broker show them the customer�s original Russian visa and journalist card. The customer�s Russian visa must state that he or she is a foreign correspondent. The customer must complete a separate TD-10 customs form for his or her shipment, specifying the number of pieces in the appropriate box. The completed form has to be signed and stamped by a Russian customs officer at the border (see Appendix for a sample of the TD-10 customs form). The temporary import permit will be issued for the duration of the customer�s visa. The customer will need to extend the permit every time he or she is issued a new visa. Customs can levy a large fine on a person if his or her temporary permits falls overdue.
Foreign Nationals possessing a personal accreditation card	Copy of the accreditation card; Copy of the first page of the customer�s passport; Copy of the customer�s Russian multi-entry visa; Russian Notarized Power of Attorney (sample will be provided by the destination agent); the customer will also need to make on notarized copy of the power of attorney; Application for import from the employer (sample will be provided by the destination agent);	"Long-life" items, e.g. furniture, household electronics, clothes, kitchenware, books etc., can be imported into Russian under the temporary regime. Other items, e.g. foodstuffs, detergents etc. are subject to import duty.	The customer has to arrive in Russia to obtain an accreditation card. This process can take up to three months to complete. Russian customs at the airport require that the the destination agent customs broker show them the customer�s original Russian visa and accreditation card. The inviting party in the customer�s Russian visa must be the employer�s accredited office in Russia. Tourist visas and visas from issued by third parties cannot qualify the customer for the duty-free import of his or her shipment. The customer must complete a separate TD-10 customs form for his or her shipment, specifying the number of pieces in the appropriate box. The completed form has to be signed and stamped by a Russian customs officer at the border (see Appendix for a sample of the TD-10 customs form). The temporary import permit will be issued for the duration of the customer�s visa. The customer will need to extend the permit every time he or she is issued a new visa. Customs can levy a large fine on a person if his or her temporary permits falls overdue. Russian customs have the right to inspect the entire contents of the customer�s shipment, which can result in extra terminal handling and storage charges because the shipment will have to be unloaded into bonded storage.
Foreign Nationals not possessing a personal accreditation card	Copy of the first page of the customer�s passport; Copy of the customer�s Russian multi-entry visa; Russian Notarized Power of Attorney (sample will be provided by the destination agent); the customer will also need to make on notarized copy of the power of attorney; Application for import from the employer (sample will be provided by the destination agent);	All items are subject to import duty.	The customer must complete a separate TD-10 customs form for his or her shipment, specifying the number of pieces in the appropriate box. The completed form has to be signed and stamped by a Russian customs officer at the border (see Appendix for a sample of the TD-10 customs form). Russian customs have the right to inspect the entire contents of the customer�s shipment.
Russian Citizens qualifying for duty-free import	Copy of the customer�s passport (pages containing the customers photograph and entry/exit customs stamps); Copy of the customer�s internal Russian passport; Copy of the customer�s foreign visa. Russian Notarized Power of Attorney (sample will be provided by the destination agent); the customer will also need to make on notarized copy of the power of attorney; Application for import from the employer (sample will be provided by the destination agent);	The customer can import the first US$ 5000.00 worth of used household goods duty-free. The remaining items are subject to import duty.	In order to qualify for duty-free import, the customer must meet the following criteria: The customer must prove that his or her continuous period of living outside Russia exceeds six months. Russian customs will check border stamps in the customer�s passport to see whether he or she came to Russia in the past six months, which would disqualify the latter from duty-free import; The customer must complete a separate TD-10 customs form for his or her shipment, specifying the number of pieces in the appropriate box. The completed form has to be signed and stamped by a Russian customs officer at the border (see Appendix for a sample of the TD-10 customs form). Failure to comply with either of the above requirements will disqualify the customer from duty-free import. Russian customs at the airport require that the the destination agent customs broker show them the customer�s original passport. In order to ensure the declared value of the customer�s shipment is correct, Russian customs have the right to inspect the entire contents of the customer�s shipment. The shipment value can be re-assessed following the customs inspection.
Russian Citizens not qualifying for duty-free import	Copy of the customer�s passport (pages containing the customers photograph and entry/exit customs stamps); Copy of the customer�s internal Russian passport; Copy of the customer�s foreign visa. Russian Notarized Power of Attorney (sample will be provided by the destination agent); the customer will also need to make on notarized copy of the power of attorney; Application for import from the employer (sample will be provided by the destination agent);.	All items are subject to import duty.	The customer must complete a separate TD-10 customs form for his or her shipment, specifying the number of pieces in the appropriate box. The completed form has to be signed and stamped by a Russian customs officer at the border (see Appendix for a sample of the TD-10 customs form).

All import customs documents need to be filled out in Russian and will be supplied by the destination agent when the customer arrives in Russia. The customer does not need to have the customs documents at origin.

NB: the application for import from the Embassy or the Employer and the Notarized Power of Attorney (non-diplomatic customers only) must specify the following information:

Airway bill number;
Shipment weight;
Number of pieces;

With this in mind, the customer has to be in Moscow when his or her shipment is flown into Russia. As soon as the airway bill is issued, it should be sent to the destination agent by fax. We will then forward the necessary information to the customer so he or she can prepare the application for import and sign the notarized power of attorney.

Consignment Instructions:

Sender:

Shipper�s Name

c/o Moving Company

Consignee:

Shipper�s Name

Shipper�s Address in Moscow

Notify party: the destination agent (telephone number)

In case of non-diplomatic shipments qualifying for duty-free import, the sending agent needs to adhere to the above consignment instructions without fail. Russian customs will not allow the duty-free import of the customer�s shipment if the customer is not declared as the sender and the consignee in the AWB.

(III) IMPORT CUSTOMS PAPERWORK

Russian customs requires that the shipper submit the following documents -

Regular Shipments

1. Application for import from the employer;

2. Application for import from the shipper;

3. Notarized Power of Attorney;

4. Copy of shipper's Passport (photo page);

5. Copy of shipper's Russian visa;

6. Copy of the shipper's personal accreditation card.

Destination agent will provide a copy of the application for import from the employer, a copy of the application for import from the shipper, and a copy of the Power of Attorney, once the shipper arrives in Moscow.

Diplomatic Shipments

1. Application for Import from the embassy;

2. Copy of the the shipper's personal diplomatic card.

Destination agent will provide a copy of the Application for Import once shipper arrives in Moscow.

(IV) TEMPORARY IMPORT DUTY-FREE REGIME

The temporary import duty-free regime is granted by Russian customs for the duration of the customer's visa or accreditation card, whichever expires first. It is the shipper's responsibility to apply for the extension. Often times the destination agent can arrange for this on shipper's behalf for an extra fee.

(IV) IMPORT DUTY

First 200 kg of chargeable weight	4.00 Euro per kg Subtotal is exempt from Russian VAT.
Remaining Weight	The import duty rate varies between 1 and 2 Euro per kg depending on the contents of the shipment. Subtotal is subject to Russian VAT (20%).

Import duty estimate

In order to estimate import duty amount, the Moscow office needs to receive a copy of the shipment inventory and know the exact shipment weight.

Payment method

Tthe destination agent can prepay the import duty on the customer�s behalf in most cases. The booking agent needs to confirm the party responsible for the import duty prior to final delivery.

(IV) ARTWORK REGISTRATION

Certain items are classed as "items of cultural value" by Russian customs and are necessary to register for import. These items include:

Paintings;
Hand-made carpets;
Musical instruments (except for electrical ones);
Samovars (except for electrical ones);
Icons;
Collectibles (stamps, postcards, coins etc.);
Any items over 50 years old.

In order to register the customer�s artwork, the destination agent requires two color photographs of each item and a list specifying the following information:

Item name and description;
Date and place of manufacture;
Date and place of purchase;
Dimensions (paintings and carpets only).

The above documentation needs to be sent to the destination agent before the shipment arrives in Russia. If the customer has such items, they should consult with the destination agent to ensure documentation is completed correctly.

(V) MOTOR VEHICLES

Diplomats may import a vehicle duty free. Non-diplomats must pay import duties when importing a vehicle. For specific requirements regarding importation of vehicles, please contact the destination agent office.

TD-10 Customs Form

IMPORTANT:

TD-10 form needs to be completed by all non-diplomatic customers.

A separate TD-10 customs form has to be filled out prior to the customer�s arrival in Russia.

When passing Russian customs at the airport, the customer has to proceed to RED CHANNEL. The customer needs to ask the Russian Customs officer to sign and stamp the TD-10 form.

Customer must have a copy of the shipment inventory handy when he or she passes the Russian customs checkpoint at the airport of entry. Russian customs can ask to see the shipment inventory before approving the customs TD-10 form.

NOTE - Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.