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| Russian
Federation |
| Market
Access |
Trade Barriers
In 1994, import duties increased to a trade weighted average of 11
percent. In March 1995 these rates were revised to raise the floor
(except for a small list of zero-duty goods) to five percent and lower
the ceiling (except for a few luxury goods) to 30 percent. In 1996,
the Government raised tariffs on alcohol and chicken, resulting in
an average weighted tariff of 14 percent, as calculated by the IMF.
Besides tariffs, there are two other types of charges applied to imports:
excise tax and value-added-tax (VAT). Excise tax applies to a number
of luxury goods, alcohol, cigarettes and auto and varies from 20 percent
to 570 percent on a price-exclusive basis. The VAT rate is now 20
percent, with the exception of food (for which VAT is 12 percent)
and is applied to the import price, plus tariff, plus excise tax.
Customs Valuation
Customs duties are payable on the customs value of goods in hard currency
or Rubles, at the current exchange rate. The customs value is generally
considered to be the CIF price of the goods imported. A customs processing
fee of 0.15 percent of the goods actual cost is also levied. According
to customs regulations, customs processing should take no longer than
one month. If goods are refused by Russian Customs, regulations call
for their return to the country of origin.
Import Licenses
Import licenses are required for importation of various goods, including
ethyl alcohol and vodka, combat and sporting weapons, self-defence
articles, explosives, military and ciphering equipment, radioactive
materials and waste including uranium, strong poisons and narcotics,
and precious metals, alloys and stones. Most import licenses are issued
by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade (MinFERT)
or its regional branches controlled by the State Customs Committee.
Licenses for sporting weapons and self-defence articles are issued
by the interior Ministry.
Russian Export Controls
The Presidential Decree in March 1995 lifted the need for MinFERT's
permission to export "strategically important raw materials,
such as oil and gas, nonferrous metals, fertilizer, cellulose, grain,
fish products, and electric power. The decree also abolished the list
of "special exporters. However, the Ministry of fuel and energy's
granting of access to the export pipeline control export of oil and
gas in a practical sense. Also, weapons, military equipment and dual-use
materials and technology continue to require export licenses. Exports
of "strategically important raw materials" still require
registration with MinFERT.
Import/Export Documentation
Importers are required to complete a Russian customs freight declaration
form for every item imported. The declaration form consists of 54
paragraphs and should be completed in the Russian language for presentation
to Customs authorities. Certificates of origin and conformity (see
"Product Standards" below) should also be presented at customs.
Exporters are required to complete an export declaration form and
if necessary, present the appropriate export license at customs. In
addition, currency control authorities require the issuance of a "passport"
for both exports and imports, to ensure that hard currency earning
are repatriated to Russia and transfers of hard currency payments
for imports is for goods actually received and properly valued.
Product Standards
Many products imported for sale into the Russian Federation are required
to have a certificate of conformity issued by the Russian State Standards
Committee (GOSSTANDART). GOSSTANDART tests and certifies products
according to Russian Government standards, rather than other widely
accepted international standards (e.g. the ISO-9000 system). GOSSTANDART
and its authorized agents are the chief sources for certification
in Russia. However, other agencies are involved in certification of
certain products, including the Ministry of Agriculture (food products),
the Ministry of Health (medical devices and pharmaceuticals), the
State Communication Committee (telecommunications equipment and services),
the State Mining and Industrial Inspectorate GOSGORTECHNADZOR (equipment
for the mining, oil and gas industries) and others.
Testing protocols from the IECEE (electrical equipment) and the IBCQ
(electrical components), both of which fall under the International
Electro Technical Commission, from Underwriters Laboratories, and
other bodies, are accepted by GOSSTANDART and help to expedite certification
by the Russian agency. The certificate of conformity is valid for
3 years and must accompany every shipment. Copies of the certificate
are acceptable if original seals of the U.S. Company holding the original
certificate accompany the copy. Russian retailers are obliged to have
on hand, certificates for all imported products sold in their stores.
Violation of this requirement can bring penalties of up to the equivalent
of $10,000.
Product Labelling
New regulations on labelling for non-food products came into force
on 01 July 1998, augmenting food labelling requirements which took
effect previously. Companies are advised to check their compliance
with these requirements before shipping products. Regulations can
be obtained from Russia's State Committee on standardization and metrology,
also known as Gosstandart.
Free Trade Zones/Warehouses
There are no actual free trade zones in Russia. There are some free
economic zones designed to encourage investments in specific areas,
as well as free customs zones and free warehouses. Customs duties
do not apply in free customs zones and free warehouses. Some production
and wholesale transactions can take place within these zones, but
not retail sales. The storage period is not limited. Free customs
zones and free warehouses are located in customs areas (airports,
seaports, railway and truck terminals). |
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