SENDING SAMPLES TO RUSSIA HINTS

When you start operations in Russia you might need samples of your product to be shown to Customers. (updated 14.11.2020)

According to Russian regulations majority of products must be certified and marked in accordance with TR TU regulations (Technical Requirements of The Eurasian Economic Union of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan). This marking should be done before goods entry into Union territory marketing it necessary to mark and certify goods before they are imported into Russia or other Countries-members of the Union.

Before this is done you have possibility to send samples to Russia via following ways:

1. Sending as a parcel to private individual. (Limitations are 30 kg weight and 200 EUR per 1 parcel and number of parcels is not restricted, value is updated 01.01.2020, previously it was 500 EUR per 1 person per month), value includes cost of goods and does not include freight cost). 

If samples are sent as a parcel to private individual it will be duty-free to receive in case limitations are not exceeded. TR TU certificates are not required as parcel is considered not commercial.
There should not be more than 3-5 pcs of 1 item in the parcel, otherwise parcel might be considered commercial.

Parcel can be sent either using international Courier services (please check in advance, because not all of them deliver to private individuals in Russia after Customs rules were changed in 2014) or 
using partner network for fast courier department of Russian post called EMS.
You can find list of partners on EMS website at http://www.ems.post/operators/europe 

I have tried DPD (Aramex) and EMS and they both worked ok. 
My personal experience is that EMS cargoes are being Custom cleared
with less problems / questions.

Normal transit time by EMS is 2-3 weeks for a parcel from Europe.

Note: Before sending out goods please check the list of goods which are accepted to be sent via Courier service and a list of goods accepted by Russian Customs 

2. Sending to Company registered in Russia using simplified Customs clearance procedure. (Limitations are 200 EUR value per month per 1 person, value includes cost of goods and freight cost).

Samples should be sent on free of charge basis to avoid contract registration at tax control.
Consignee should receive samples for inter-Company use only, samples should not be sold or distributed further on. (When Customs clearance is made Consignee sends a letter to Russian Customs that samples are not for sale) 

TR TU certificate is not being requested in this case, but Chestniy Znak marking should still be done for a number of products.
There should not be more than 3-5 pcs of 1 item in the parcel, otherwise parcel might be considered commercial and TR TU certificate will be required for Customs clearance.

Note: Before sending out goods please check the list of goods which are accepted to be sent via Courier service and a list of goods accepted by Russian Customs

3. Sending samples for exhibitions as a temporary import which will be returned after exhibition.

This option requires use of professional Customs broker as issues with Customs might arise.
Please request clear confirmation from Your Customs Broker before proceeding this way.

Important note for all above: To avoid any confusions with Customs Clearance the most important thing is to inform Consignee in Russia about shipment in advance and send all shipping papers for review before sending out goods.This simple action will save much money and time for You and Your Partner / Consignee.

Regards, Yury