Remote release
In August 2014, the RF Ministry of Economic Development held an expert consultation on the Federal Customs Service (FCS) of Russia Decree № 317 on Approval of the List of Customs Authorities Performing Customs Operations and Customs Control with Respect to Goods in Accordance with the FCS Russia Decree № 845 of April 22, 2011 of February 18, 2010 ("remote release"). The meeting resulted in a decision to put together argumentation for either the cancellation or amendment of the corresponding legislation.
"Remote release" involves the placement of goods in the temporary warehouse of an "external" customs authority at the place the customs border is crossed, while the documents are filed and the goods processed at an "internal" customs authority (for instance, at the place of registration of the importer). The internal customs authority conducts the document verification procedure, while other customs control measures (such as customs inspections) are performed by the external customs authority. Electronic communications between the customs authorities involved in the customs processing are used to reach a joint decision on the release of the goods. In this way, the company makes the customs declaration for the goods through the internal customs authority while the goods are physically at the external customs authority.
Despite the obvious benefits of this procedure, there are a number of nuances that impede or prevent use of the remote release procedure. One such nuance is the approval by the FCS Russia of "ties" between internal and external customs authorities. For example, an importer may file documents for customs processing at Obninsky Customs Post, Kaluga Customs (the internal customs authority), and import goods only through Aleksandrovsky Customs Post, Bryansk Customs (the external customs authority). The business community considers the introduction of these ties to be an attempt to force participants in foreign economic activities into supply chains and logistical structures, as well as to restrict the right of companies to choose customs authorities on the basis of their business interests. This was the reason for the meeting held by the RF Ministry of Economic Development, which is an example of the authorities listening to the business community.
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