About the customs clearance service for goods in Saint Petersburg
Customs clearance of goods in Saint Petersburg is a mandatory step for import and export, during which documents are verified, customs payments are made, and permission is granted for the import or export of goods. This procedure is regulated by Russian legislation and is necessary for the legal release of goods into the domestic market. In the port of Saint Petersburg, it is particularly in demand for containers from China, the UAE, India, and other destinations.
BSF organizes customs clearance quickly and without risks: we calculate payments, verify compliance with EAEU regulations, and submit declarations online via the Federal Customs Service portal. This helps avoid delays and allows you to focus on your core business.
What legislation regulates it
The customs clearance process is governed by the EAEU Customs Code and Federal Law No. 289-FZ "On Customs Regulation in the Russian Federation." Additionally, the regulations of the Federal Customs Service for the port of Saint Petersburg apply, and documents are submitted electronically through their official portal.
Liability for false declaration
Errors in the customs declaration entail serious consequences: fines under Article 16.2 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation ranging from half to double the amount of unpaid customs duties, taxes, or the value of the goods; cargo seizure; and, in particularly severe cases, criminal liability under Article 194 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for evasion of customs payments.
10 years of customs clearance experience at BSF ensures full compliance with EAEU and Russian FCS regulations, guaranteeing accurate declaration without fines or delays.
Who needs this service
Customs clearance is mandatory for all foreign trade participants operating through the port of Saint Petersburg: wholesalers, retail chains, manufacturing plants, agricultural producers, and industrial and mining sector enterprises. We help save time, avoid bureaucracy, and optimize payments — over 500 clients trust us for their regular import and export needs.
Call us for a free calculation of your customs clearance cost!
Stages of customs clearance
In Saint Petersburg, customs clearance follows a clear process to maximize cargo release speed:
- Document collection — contract, invoice, bill of lading, certificates of origin and conformity;
- Declaration completion — our declarant fills out all fields of the customs declaration in accordance with HS codes and EAEU regulations;
- Online submission to the Center for Electronic Declaration (CED);
- Inspection and examination — if an inspector schedules a cargo inspection, our representative is present during the procedure;
- Payment calculation — duties, VAT, customs fees;
- Cargo release — we obtain the customs declaration and export/import permit.
With BSF, the entire process takes 1–3 days thanks to our experience working with port customs authorities.
Documents for customs clearance in Saint Petersburg for imports
To complete a customs declaration (DT) for imports, a standard set of documents is required. Below is the main list:
Mandatory documents:
- Foreign trade contract
- Invoice
- Packing list
- Transport documents:
- Bill of lading
- CMR waybill
- Railway consignment note or air waybill
Certificates:
- Certificate of origin
- Certificate of conformity
- Quality certificate (if required)
Additional documents as needed:
- Unique Contract Number (UCN)
- Bank payment documents (proof of payment)
- Phytosanitary and veterinary certificates (for food products, animals)
- Licenses and import permits (for restricted goods)
- Power of attorney for the declarant
- Company documents (charter, extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities)
At BSF, we verify the completeness of your document package and help correctly fill out all fields of the customs declaration. This minimizes the risks of inspections and fines.
Cost of customs declaration processing
The base rate for processing a customs declaration is:
- Export (EC-10) – 12,000 RUB per declaration;
- Import (IM-40) – 15,000 RUB per declaration.
How the import procedure works
We begin working in advance, even before the vessel docks at the port. First, we thoroughly review all your documents, and our declarant completes the customs declaration (DT) and submits it on a preliminary basis. The broker accurately calculates all payments — duties, fees, and VAT. You pay them through the Federal Customs Service personal account, where everything is transparent and clear.
Sometimes customs schedules a cargo inspection. In such cases, our representative handles your interests with the port and customs authorities and provides a detailed photo and video report of the entire procedure.
Since BSF organizes the full transportation cycle, we include customs clearance directly in your logistics scheme: sea + rail + road. This way, you receive delivery without delays or unnecessary hassle.
Advantages of customs declaration with BSF
With us, you get:
10+ years of experience: over 10,000 cargo shipments already cleared in Saint Petersburg, including complex imports from China.
Full service: from customs declaration to delivery to the consignee's warehouse.
Our services
Countries we work with
China
Vietnam
Turkey
Egypt
Israel
Syria
UAE
Saudi Arabia
India
Argentina
Pakistan
Brazil
Why customers choose BSF
Exclusive ocean freight rates
Thanks to our long-standing and successful track record in export shipments, we have earned the loyalty of key ocean carriers. This enables our clients to access unique freight rates for export and import flows, saving up to 20–30% compared to base tariffs.
Focus on complex cargo
We work with bulk cargo, full vessel lots, sawn timber, metal ingots, coils, big bags, oversized cargo and containerized shipments. Cargo accumulation and dispatch are handled smoothly, with full processing in Novorossiysk.
Unique stuffing and transshipment solutions
Our core know‑how lies in direct contracts with Novorossiysk ports covering re‑stuffing and transshipment of various cargo types. This ensures fast, safe and cost‑efficient handling for virtually any cargo.
Turnkey end‑to‑end service
From container delivery and removal to customs formalities and documentation, including interaction with FGBU “TsOKZ”, FGBU “VCR”, certification and permits – all processes are managed by a single provider. One contractor means fewer complications for your business.
Expertise in key industries
We have extensive experience working with the agro‑industrial sector, chemical industry, wood processing, mining and metallurgy. Grain logistics in vessel holds is one of our core specializations.
Extensive agents’ network
We maintain close working relationships with shipowners and operators and rely on a global network of agents. Our operations cover the ports of Novorossiysk, Saint Petersburg, Rostov‑on‑Don, Azov, Yeysk, Kavkaz, Astrakhan, Olya, Arkhangelsk and Aktau, with partner companies in Turkey, Jordan and the UAE.
Do you have any questions?
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