Customs transit:
transit declaration, TIR, ATA Carnet
Customs transit is used when cargo arrives in Vladivostok or via a border crossing but is better cleared at the customs office near the consignee. We file the transit declaration, arrange the security and manage carriage under customs control until the procedure is closed.
For TIR road transport we work with TIR Carnets; for ATA Carnets we first check that the carnet is accepted in the issuing country and in Russia and, if needed, offer the temporary admission procedure instead.
Specification
Specification · Customs transit. Standard terms · transit scheme and security are confirmed per shipment
Service
- Procedures
- customs transit (TD), TIR; ATA where applicable
- Mode
- rail, road, sea
- Options
- security, deadline extension, release at destination
Terms
- Timing
- opening usually on the day of filing
- Documents
- TD preparation and closing control included
- Currency
- USD / RUB
Process
- Departure
- TD, security, seals
- En route
- route and deadline monitored
- Destination
- closing, warehouse, DT
Price
- Base
- per transit declaration
- Extras
- security, escort, storage — on request
Service flow
- 01
Scheme and route
We decide whether release at the port or transit to the client's local customs is better, choose the mode and destination office, and check restrictions on entry and destination points for the goods.
1 day - 02
Security
We arrange security for the amount calculated by customs, or hand the carriage to a customs carrier, which needs no separate security.
1 day - 03
Opening transit
We file the transit declaration and obtain transit permission, the delivery deadline and customs seals; with a TIR Carnet the office of departure processes the voucher.
hours to 1 day - 04
Controlled carriage
We monitor the route and deadline; in case of breakdown, transshipment or change of vehicle we notify customs and process the required documents.
within the transit deadline - 05
Closing transit
We notify the destination office of arrival, present the goods and seals, complete the transit and place the cargo at a temporary storage warehouse for release under a DT.
1 day
Problems
Transit not closed on time: the truck was delayed or goods were not presented in time — customs issues a duty demand and opens an offence case.
We track the deadline for each TD, request an extension with justification in advance if delayed, and control closing at the destination office.
A seal is damaged or its number does not match the TD — the cargo is held for inspection.
We check seal numbers when opening transit, photograph them and brief the carrier on what to do if an incident occurs en route.
For high-value cargo the transit security is large and ties up working capital.
We compare options — carriage by a customs carrier, a bank guarantee or release at the port — and choose the cheapest for the shipment.
Documents
Documents for opening transit. The delivery term shows who arranges and pays for carriage under customs control to the destination office.
Incoterms
- CFR / CIF
- sea freight to Vladivostok paid by the seller; transit to the buyer's customs is on the buyer
- DAP
- DAP to an inland point — transit is arranged by the seller or their forwarder
- FCA
- all carriage and transit on the buyer
Documents
- Transport document
- B/L, SMGS or CMR note — with consignee and destination
- Invoice
- commercial invoice — for description and value
- Packing List
- packages and weight per container or truck
- Security
- proof of security or customs carrier status
- TIR / ATA Carnet
- for TIR transport or ATA temporary admission
FAQ
It is a procedure under which foreign goods move under customs control without paying duties and taxes — for example, from Vladivostok port to a customs office in Novosibirsk or Moscow. It is used when clearing at the consignee's location is more convenient than at the point of entry.
A TIR Carnet is used in international road transport under the TIR system by an authorised carrier; it serves both as the transit document and the guarantee. A transit declaration works for any mode, including rail and sea cargo moving from the port to an inland office.
An ATA Carnet allows temporary admission of exhibition samples and professional equipment without duties and taxes, provided they are re-exported on time. Whether a given carnet is accepted depends on the issuing country, so we check this before the trip; if it is not, we arrange temporary admission with a security.
Customs demands the duties and taxes as if the goods were released, recovers them from the security and brings an administrative case against the carrier or declarant. That is why we track the deadline and request an extension in advance if there is a delay en route.
As a rule, yes: customs calculates the duties and taxes that would be payable and requires them to be secured. If the carriage is done by a customs carrier listed in the FTS register, a separate security from the declarant is usually not needed.
The delivery deadline is set by the office of departure based on mode and distance. By rail a container usually takes about 10–16 days from Vladivostok to Moscow; we make sure the actual transit fits the deadline.