New customs rules for imports from South East Asia (163 words)

Published: 3/21/2001

After considerable action against carriers of illegal imports, East Line included, the Russian State Customs committee has introduced new rules covering imports from countries in SE Asia. Reports indicate that the State Customs Committee has issued the new rules in order to combat the use of illegal tactics by “dishonest importers”, particularly from Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, China, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Sri Lanka. The tactics have invariably taken the form of import duty avoidance. The new regulations will be policed through the use of special customs points at Russian borders with Mongolia, Kazakhstan and China, although it appears that air importation will use the existing facilities at airports. The first regulation came into force on 17th March, preventing importation of goods made in SE Asia to the Baltic States and Europe. The new Customs instructions do not apply to goods in transit.

Article ID: 2433