Required for every shipment
This set does not depend on what you ship or where from. It is always required — articles 226 and 232 of the Customs Code.
- Foreign trade contract registered in the unified electronic system for foreign trade operations. Without registration the declaration is not accepted.
- Commercial invoice stating the Incoterms delivery terms. The terms decide whether freight forms part of the customs value.
- Packing list — gross and net weight, number of packages, contents of each.
- Transport document: CMR for road, SMGS waybill for rail, air waybill or bill of lading.
- Customs declaration.
- Payment documents confirming the declared value.
The most common mistake is a mismatch between the invoice and the packing list on weight or package count. An inspector spots it immediately and the cargo goes for examination.
The certificate of origin saves the most
It is the only document that directly reduces the payment, and it does so several times over.
Form ST-1 gives a zero import duty on goods from CIS countries under the free trade agreement.
Since 28 February 2026, article 300-1 of the Customs Code applies: if the country of origin is not confirmed by a certificate, an additional duty of 5% to 20% is charged on top of the normal rate, depending on the base rate. Missing the certificate now costs money even where no preference existed.
Note: customs verifies certificates online against the issuing country's registries — Russian ST-1 through the Chamber of Commerce registry, Chinese ones through CCPIT.
What depends on the goods
The type of state control follows from the product group and is set by primary legislation, not by the inspector's discretion.
| Product group | What is required |
|---|---|
| Meat, fish, dairy, feed, hides, fur | Veterinary certificate and import permit |
| Vegetables, fruit, grain, seeds, timber, cotton | Phytosanitary certificate and quarantine permit |
| Food, cosmetics, household chemicals, children's goods | Sanitary and epidemiological conclusion |
| Electronics, appliances, building materials, footwear, furniture | Certificate or declaration of conformity |
| Radios, routers, radio devices | Permit to import radio-electronic equipment |
| Medicines and medical devices | State registration, licence, digital marking |
| Motor vehicles | Recycling fee, certificate of conformity |
The mandatory certification list was cut substantially in 2025 by resolution No. 554, so check against the specific HS code.
Deadlines worth quoting
The declaration is registered on the day of filing. Processing takes up to three business days. Important caveat: that period excludes control by other agencies — veterinary, phytosanitary, environmental. This is why actual release almost always takes longer than the norm.
The declaration must be filed within 15 calendar days after the goods are presented. Temporary storage is allowed for up to 60 days, perishables up to 10.
How to cut idle time
The declaration can be filed before the cargo arrives — article 262. Document checks then happen while the cargo is in transit and it reaches the border with a decision already made. It also gives a 20% discount on the clearance fee.
If you are unsure about the HS code, an advance classification decision is available — chapter 52 of the Code. It is paid, but it protects against retroactive reassessment.