Customs services

Customs clearance of cargo or goods (commonly referred to as "customs clearance", "clearing goods through customs") is an essential part of the transportation process for any cargo entering or leaving Russia, regardless of the purpose of the shipment, the mode of transport, or the nature of the goods.

Under current Russian legislation, customs clearance services can be carried out either by the Russian consignee or consignor directly, or by a professional organization with the special knowledge, experience and authority granted by the Federal Customs Service (FCS) of Russia to provide customs-related services — a Customs Representative (Customs Broker).

TRASKO LLC has for many years been included in the Register of Customs Representatives of the Federal Customs Service of Russia and is an officially recognized, active Customs Representative (Customs Broker) in Russia.

In addition, TRASKO LLC is simultaneously included in the Register of Customs Carriers of the Federal Customs Service of Russia. This allows us to provide our clients with a full range of door-to-door services for international cargo transportation together with import customs clearance and export customs clearance.

Comprehensive support and single-window handling of our clients' needs by TRASKO LLC allow them to save significant time and money while receiving a high-quality service. We prepare customs declarations and clear virtually all types of cargo transported by any available mode of transport from Europe and other countries around the world.

Customs Clearance Process

Preparation:

1. We assess whether the client's task can be carried out in a way that fully and unconditionally complies with the requirements of current customs legislation of the Russian Federation and the EAEU for the specific goods.
2. We identify and study the client's specific conditions, nuances and needs based on preliminary information about the goods, available documentation and other data. If necessary, we clarify important details.
3. We choose and propose the location for customs clearance based on logistics conditions and the client's preferences. If there are no obstacles, we conclude a customs representative service agreement on agreed terms (if one has not been concluded previously).

Subject-Matter Analysis

1. We assign a ten-digit HS Code (TN VED EAEU) to each item within the cargo lot.
2. We calculate customs payments.
3. We determine whether non-tariff and/or tariff regulation measures need to be applied.
4. We send this information to the client and jointly verify the completeness of the available documentation and data. If any required documents are missing, we arrange for them to be obtained.

Customs Clearance Itself:

1. We prepare the electronic customs declaration (CD) for the goods, and formalize and store the supporting documents in an electronic archive.
2. We submit the electronic customs declaration to the customs authority for registration and verification.
3. We respond to requests from the customs authority.
4. If necessary, we take part in cargo inspections/examinations.
5. We obtain information on the release of the customs declaration.

Final Activities

We inform the client about the release and the procedure for removing the cargo from the customs control zone/temporary storage warehouse, and send them a copy of the released customs declaration. We also prepare and send the client a package of closing documents for settlement of the services rendered (invoice, VAT invoice, acceptance certificate).

Customs Clearance Documents

The documentation required for customs clearance may vary from case to case — for example, it may differ between European countries, China, and other destinations. However, the core set of customs clearance documents generally remains standard.

The minimum package of documents required for TRASKO to determine feasibility and calculate the cost of customs clearance includes:

• an invoice or a draft invoice;
• a packing list or a draft packing list;
• a detailed technical description of the goods (product) indicating key characteristics and properties (if available — manuals, diagrams, drawings, certificates, catalogues, brochures, etc.);
• a foreign trade contract (or its draft) or another document on the basis of which the international supply will take place.

Any additional information related to the transaction, the goods, or the delivery is welcome. If any documentation or information is missing, our customs specialists will in any case provide assistance, consult, and help resolve any issue for the client to reach a successful outcome.

Our Advantages

TRASKO provides a full range of customs clearance services and freight forwarding services:

• We conclude and arrange foreign trade transactions.
• We transport goods (products) to any point in the world by any available mode of transport.
• We organize comprehensive support with customs clearance of cargo, including both import customs clearance and export customs clearance.
• We calculate customs payments and duties.
• We provide assistance, where required, in obtaining a preliminary classification ruling (advance tariff ruling) and/or a classification ruling for goods.
• We help obtain permits related to tariff and/or non-tariff regulation.
• We arrange interaction with any temporary storage warehouses, customs control zones, sea/river ports, airports, railway stations and other transport and customs infrastructure organizations for our clients.
• We do everything necessary to solve our clients' transportation and customs-related tasks within the framework of current legislation.

Turnaround Time for Customs Clearance Services

In the vast majority of cases, a customs declaration for a client's goods/cargo is released by the customs authorities on the same day or the day after it is submitted/registered.

In the interest of our clients, we use every lawful means to minimize customs clearance times for their cargo. At the same time, it is important to understand that the customs authorities of the Russian Federation and the EAEU are, by law, state supervisory and law enforcement bodies with broad special powers and responsibilities.

All procedures, operations and actions during customs clearance and customs control are strictly regulated by the laws and legal acts of the Russian Federation and the EAEU. Unfortunately, not everything always depends solely on the customs representative — including, in some cases, the duration of customs control.

Please note that clearance times largely depend on the completeness and quality of the documentation for the goods and the transaction, the transparency of all deal parameters, and the good faith and legal compliance of the declarant (consignee or consignor). The more complete and well-prepared the set of documents and the more transparent the transaction, the fewer additional questions arise from the customs authorities, and the faster the goods are released.

TRASKO has many years of successful experience as a Customs Representative (Customs Broker). We will be glad to apply our knowledge and expertise to successfully solve your logistics challenges!

Welcome to TRASKO.