The import growth rates, according to the Federal Customs Service

The Federal Customs Service has published the information about the import from far abroad to Russia in August 2011. In general the situation hasn’t changed—from the beginning of the year 2010 the amount of import to Russia is growing. During the last 8 months import in terms of value has made $165.4 milliard, and this is 42 % more than for the same period in the year 2010.

However, the comparison of the last index with the data of the Federal Customs Service for the previous months leads to the conclusion of the growth retardation—from 48% (in the terms of the year) in January—June of the year 2011 to 43 % in June—July and 42 % in January—August. This firm tendency can hardly be called unexpected—the import growth had been extremely high on the back of the rather sluggish growth of the home demand.

Only in August of the year 2011 the import amount from the far abroad has made $24.6 milliard against $19.4 milliard in August of the last year. The growth is 27%.

The food import in comparison with other groups of goods shows the decreasing growth rates. If in May 2011 there was imported food totaling to $3.77 milliard, in August –only $2.49 milliard. The purchasing (from August to August) of cereal-crops and oil has grown 72%, vegetables—26%, fish and beef—19 %. However, the import of poultry meat has decreased 12 %, dairy products—7%, tobacco—4%.

Source: www.tks.ru

Customs Services to be Relocated to the State Borders

The Federal Customs Service is planning to relocate the customs clearance procedures to the near-border regions. After 1 November 2011 the customs stations of the Moscow Region, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region will only be available for customs clearance of a very limited number of items. The market players believe that the new measures will cause a price growth of the customs services and temporary traffic jams on the borders.

Source: www.retail.ru

Russian Federal Customs service in charge of vet and plant control

Government of the Russian Federation adopted a legislative draft that states that control and supervision services at the Russian border are managed solely by the Federal Customs Service.  Previously there were several institutions in charge of customs clearance on the Russian border.  The draft implies that employees of the Federal Customs Service will be entitled to carry out in full measure transport control as well as sanitary and quarantine veterinary and plant control at the border.  Federal Customs Service expects that the new law will help to eliminate the unnecessary administrative obstacles and accelerate the inspection procedures at the border.

Source: www.tks.ru