The final board of the Siberian Customs Directorate headed by Deputy Head of the Federal Customs Service of Russia

The final board of the Siberian Customs Directorate headed by Deputy Head of the Federal Customs Service of Russia Elena Yagodkina discussed performance indicators for 2023 and identified key tasks for 2024. The event was attended by heads and representatives of state authorities, law enforcement and supervisory agencies

The topics of the board were the results of economic direction, law enforcement, customs declaration and customs control, as well as the results of the work of the customs control service after release of goods

According to the head of the STU Alexander Yastrebov, in the conditions of reorientation of trade from the West to the East in 2023 Siberian customs officers provided the necessary support to business. The main priorities were to ensure the priority order of customs operations in respect of socially important goods, simplify the importation of products necessary to support the country’s economy. The use of digital technologies and optimization of customs operations allowed to reduce the time of release of goods by one hour compared to 2022

Customs hotlines, active information interaction with public organizations and business circles, webinars, cooperation with chambers of commerce and industry helped to provide timely information about changes in customs legislation, prevent violations of prohibitions and restrictions on the movement of goods across the EAEU border, thus reducing the potential for conflict.

Customs collectives also helped to provide timely information about changes in customs legislation, prevent violations of prohibitions and restrictions on the movement of goods across the EAEU border, thus reducing the potential for conflict.

Customs collectives also helped to provide information about changes in customs legislation, prevent violations of prohibitions and restrictions on the movement of goods across the EAEU border, thus reducing the potential for conflict

The board also discussed the ongoing reconstruction of Siberian checkpoints and the launch of new transport corridors connecting Siberia with the Asian market, including through Tyva and Altai, on which the growth of cross-border trade depends. The development of near-customs and warehousing infrastructure was noted as a positive trend, in particular as part of the implementation of major projects of transport and logistics centers commissioned in the Novosibirsk Region

The most important area of law enforcement activity was ensuring the legality of timber exports. In 2023, 122 criminal cases were initiated in relation to timber smuggling. 15 criminal cases were initiated against organized criminal groups operating in the sphere of timber export

Mobile groups of Altai, Omsk and Novosibirsk customs revealed 1,950 vehicles carrying more than 20,000 tons of goods in violation of the EEU and Russian legislation, including counterfeit goods and without mandatory markings. Illegal export of more than 12 thousand cubic meters of timber was prevented. In 2023, STU customs detected more than 230,000 units of counterfeit goods (confectionery products, clothing, footwear, tobacco products)

According to Elena Yagodkina, deputy head of the Federal Customs Service of Russia, one of the key tasks in 2024 will be to promote trade with friendly countries by accelerating and simplifying customs procedures through the automation of all processes. Including within the framework of international “Green Corridor” projects, which more and more countries are joining

“Any interested importers and exporters can participate in most Green Corridors,” emphasized Elena Yagodkina. – Joint work with customs officials of other countries, combined with modern technologies, allows to significantly reduce the time of passing all customs formalities and ensure uninterrupted supplies of socially important products, as well as goods necessary for the development of production sectors of the economy

The deputy head of the Federal Customs Service of Russia also noted that in the Siberian region there has been an increase in the supply of medical products, medicines, foodstuffs and children’s goods, the importation of which are granted benefits on customs duties. The total amount of such financial support for importers at the end of 2023 amounted to 3.7 billion rubles