Exporting Goods from USA to Russia

If you’re shipping goods from the USA to Russia before late November 2011, you may have to pay for duties and taxes even for temporary importation. The new ruling implemented by the Russian Customs should be lifted after the said date, though. The information below should also make shipment concerns easier for you to understand.

For household goods and personal effects

You need to take note of general and specific documents when you’re exporting goods from the USA to Russia. General documents which must always accompany the shipment no matter what the relationship of the consignee is to the Russian government include the following:

i. CMR and copy of lading bill/airway bill
ii. A detailed list and corresponding photograph of all cultural items
iii. A list of all electronic items with the model number, serial number and brand
iv. Pro-forma invoice (only for shipments coming in the from sea)
v. A packing list with all the pertinent specific information noted in the other two lists above

Foreign citizens who would like their used household items shipped to Russia must also present their passport with the proper visa, a copy of their residential registration in Moscow, a copy of the employment contract, and these two documents if the items are not due to be cleared in Moscow:

a. T6 Customs Declaration Form (stamped)
b. Temporary Import Obligation Form

Until late November 2011, temporary importation of goods will also be levied by taxes and duties. After that, foreign residents may import used goods duty-free. Consignees should call the Embassy of Poland for consultation and to have the rates estimated before goods are imported into the country.

Diplomats only need to present two stamped copies of their Diplomatic Cards and two copies of the letter of clearance from the Embassy. Temporary importation of goods is usually done duty-free with or without the Diplomatic Card. This applies to employees of embassies as only officials hold Diplomatic Cards. These diplomatic privileges are unaffected by the current law implemented by the Russian Customs.

Returning Russian citizens may also import goods from the USA back into Russia provided that they can provide a copy of their International Passport (if duties and taxes are applied) or the original (if duties and taxes are not applied), a copy of their internal Russian passport, a copy of their USA Visa, a copy of their residential registration in Moscow, and a T6 declaration form.

Consignees must also be in Moscow within three days of the shipment’s arrival. Otherwise, the consignee will be fined 1000 RUB a day. Almost all imported goods which were transferred by air are dutiable unless covered by diplomatic exemptions or privileges held by returning citizens. The consignees are advised not to leave the T6 document with the customs officer.

For vehicles

Imported vehicles from the USA into Russia must always be accompanied by the following documents:

i. The original technical card
ii. The original commercial invoice
iii. The original (USA) plate of the car
iv. A copy of the owner’s passport
v. A copy of the owner’s visa
vi. A copy of the car’s registration

If the importation is permanent, full duties and taxes apply. Diplomats and foreign citizens are given the privilege of temporarily importing their vehicles to Moscow duty-free, provided that they maintain and renew their temporary permits religiously. Full custom duties range between 100% and 200% of the vehicles’ cost with freight charges.

Diplomats who are importing vehicles from the USA must present their Diplomatic card upon the vehicle’s arrival in Moscow. The permits given for diplomatic vehicles will depend on the diplomat’s mission in the country.

Returning citizens may import vehicles back into Russia but are liable to full custom duties. Usually, this is 100% of the car’s value, depending on the car’s make, age, engine type, capacity, power, and other pertinent details. The vehicle’s owner/consignee must be able to provide these details for the estimation.

This is only a guideline about importing vehicles and goods into Russia from the USA. Consignees are advised to contact the Embassy of Russia for more specific instructions especially for boats, aircrafts and industrial machines. The permits, duties and taxes for these vehicles may differ because of the nature of their use.