Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 7/18/2008

**GAIN Report Number:** RS8055

RS8055

**Russian Federation**

**FAIRS Country Report**

**Annual**

**2008**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Allan Mustard

U.S. Embassy

**Prepared by:**

OAA and ATO staff

**Report Highlights:**

This report is an overview of both general and commodity-specific
requirements of Russian Federation government agencies for imported
foodstuffs. Sections updated: Sections I. Food Laws, II. Labeling
Requirements, III. Packaging and Container Requirements, IV. Food
Additive Regulations, V. Pesticides and Other Contaminants, VI. Other
Regulations and Requirements, VII. Other Specific Standards, VIII.
Copyright and Trademark Laws, IX. Import Procedures, Appendix I.
Government Regulatory Agency Contacts, and Appendix III. Selected
Relevant GAIN Reports.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Annual Report

Moscow \[RS1\]

\[RS\]

#  

[Executive Summary 3](#executive-summary)

[Section I. Food Laws 3](#section-i.-food-laws)

[Introduction 3](#introduction)

[Russia's State Regulatory Bodies for Imported Foodstuffs
4](#russias-state-regulatory-bodies-for-imported-foodstuffs)

[Recent Changes 5](#recent-changes)

[Section II. Labeling Requirements
6](#section-ii.-labeling-requirements)

[Section III. Packaging and Container Requirements
7](#section-iii.-packaging-and-container-requirements)

[Section IV. Food Additive Regulations
8](#section-iv.-food-additive-regulations)

[Section V. Pesticides and Other Contaminants
8](#section-v.-pesticides-and-other-contaminants)

[Section VI. Other Regulations and Requirements
9](#section-vi.-other-regulations-and-requirements)

[General Requirements for Products of Plant Origin
9](#general-requirements-for-products-of-plant-origin)

[Additional Data 11](#additional-data)

[Section VII. Other Specific Standards
11](#section-vii.-other-specific-standards)

[Section VIII. Copyright and Trademark Laws
11](#section-viii.-copyright-and-trademark-laws)

[Section IX. Import Procedures 12](#section-ix.-import-procedures)

[Overview 12](#overview)

[Import Operations for Products of Animal Origin
12](#import-operations-for-products-of-animal-origin)

[Certification of Individual Batches and Shipments Based on the Contract
13](#certification-of-individual-batches-and-shipments-based-on-the-contract)

[Transport Documents 13](#transport-documents)

[Customs Payments 13](#customs-payments)

[Special Requirements for Importing Individual Commodity Groups
14](#special-requirements-for-importing-individual-commodity-groups)

[Inspection of Meat Processing and Packing Facilities
14](#inspection-of-meat-processing-and-packing-facilities)

[Labeling Information for Consumers
14](#labeling-information-for-consumers)

[Food Additive Content Requirements
15](#food-additive-content-requirements)

[Pesticides and other Contaminants
15](#pesticides-and-other-contaminants)

[Import Quotas 15](#import-quotas)

[Eligible/Ineligible Products 16](#eligibleineligible-products)

[Importation Procedures 18](#importation-procedures)

[Veterinary Certificates 19](#veterinary-certificates)

[Other Documents 19](#other-documents)

[Certification of Meat and Meat Products
20](#certification-of-meat-and-meat-products)

[Alcoholic Products 21](#alcoholic-products)

[Information Requirements 22](#information-requirements)

[Safety and Quality 23](#safety-and-quality)

[Fish and Seafood 24](#fish-and-seafood)

[Dairy products 29](#dairy-products)

[Grains and Oilseeds 29](#grains-and-oilseeds)

[Nuts 30](#nuts)

[Fresh Fruit 30](#fresh-fruit)

[Fresh Vegetables 30](#fresh-vegetables)

[Frozen or Processed Vegetables 30](#frozen-or-processed-vegetables)

[Grocery Products 31](#grocery-products)

[Typical Errors When Supplying Foodstuffs To Russia
31](#typical-errors-when-supplying-foodstuffs-to-russia)

[Appendix I. Government Regulatory Agency Contacts
33](#appendix-i.-government-regulatory-agency-contacts)

[Certification bodies: 33](#certification-bodies)

[Appendix II. Other Import Specialist Contacts
34](#appendix-ii.-other-import-specialist-contacts)

[Appendix III. Selected Relevant GAIN Reports
34](#appendix-iii.-selected-relevant-gain-reports)

[General 34](#general)

[Biotechnology 34](#biotechnology)

[Livestock 34](#livestock)

[Plant Products 34](#plant-products)

[Wine and Spirits 34](#wine-and-spirits)

# Executive Summary

The Office of Agricultural Affairs of the USDA/Foreign Agricultural
Service in Moscow, Russia, prepared this report for U.S. exporters of
domestic food and agricultural products. While the USDA office in Moscow
took every possible care in preparing this report, information provided
may not be completely accurate either because policies have changed
since its preparation, or because clear and consistent information about
these policies was not available. OAA Moscow highly recommends that U.S.
exporters verify the full set of import requirements with their foreign
customers before any goods are shipped. They are normally the best
equipped to research such matters with local authorities. **FINAL IMPORT
APPROVAL OF ANY PRODUCT IS SUBJECT TO THE IMPORTING COUNTRY\'S RULES AND
REGULATIONS AS INTERPRETED BY BORDER OFFICIALS AT THE TIME OF PRODUCT
ENTRY.**

This report is an overview of both general and commodity-specific
requirements of Russian Federation government agencies for imported
foodstuffs.

Despite Russia's ongoing preparation for WTO accession, agencies'
control over imported foodstuffs remains complicated and bureaucratic.
Barriers to trade depend on the type of product, customs clearance
location, importer's status, and other non-transparent factors. Enacting
new technical regulations that would replace non-WTO compliant national
standards has been virtually suspended.

# Section I. Food Laws

## Introduction 

It is recommended that customs clearance be carried out by an agency
located in the country where the customs clearance must be performed, or
at least by a representative of this party *in situ*. Import permits are
issued in the name of physical or legal entities that are officially
registered in the territory of the Russian Federation with the Russian
tax authorities. Typically, a product's exporter handles export
customs-clearance and the product's importer handles import
customs-clearance.

Exporting products into the Russian Federation can be a difficult task
for inexperienced U.S. exporters, because import requirements and
customs clearance rules frequently change. Therefore, it is recommended
that the importer, with the help of up-to-date information sources,
check all import documents closely and not violate Russian laws and
Russian agencies' product-specific regulations.

Important mandatory requirements for safety and identification are
articulated not only in sanitary and regulatory documents, such as the
Sanitary Rules and Regulations ("SanPiN") but also in some national
standards (known by the Russian abbreviation "GOST") and technical
regulations.

It is important to acquire such documents as the Sanitary and
Epidemiological Conclusion and the Certificate of Conformity. The latter
document is issued after other required certificates and documents are
obtained. Also note that receiving certificates prior to the arrival of
consignments (based on samples provided by the exporter) makes it
possible to spend less time and reduce costs during customs clearance.
For perishable products, securing a Certificate of Conformity may be
difficult due to deviations from national standards for food safety and
consumer quality indices.

**Russian Legislation and Principal Regulatory Documents on Foodstuffs**

The Russian Federation ranks federal laws regarding foodstuffs,
including foodstuffs of foreign origin, as follows:

1.  Federal Law On Protecting Consumer Rights No. 2300-1 of February 7,
    1992 (with the Amendments and Additions of June 2, 1993, January 9,
    1996, December 17, 1999, December 30, 2001, August 22, 2004,
    November 2, 2004, December 21, 2004, and October 27, 2007);

2.  Federal Law On The Quality And Safety Of Food Products No. 29-FZ
    (with the Amendments and Additions of December 30, 2001, January 10,
    2003, June 30, 2003, August 22, 2004, May 9, 2005, December 5, 2005,
    December 31, 2005, and March 31, 2006);

3.  Federal Law On The Sanitary And Epidemiological Well-Being Of The
    Population No. 52-FZ (as amended on December 30, 2001, January 10,
    2004, June 30, 2003, September 22, 2004, May 09, 2005, and December
    31, 2005);

4.  Federal Law On State Regulation In The Sphere Of Genetic Engineering
    Activities No. 86-FZ of July 5, 1996, as amended by the Federal Law
    No. 96-FZ of July 12, 2000.

5.  Federal Law On State Regulation Of The Production And Handling Of
    Ethyl Alcohol, Spirits, And Products Containing Alcohol No. 171-FZ
    of November 22, 1995, as amended by Federal Law No. 248-FZ of
    December 29, 2006; and

6.  Federal Law On Technical Regulation No 184-FZ of December 27, 2002,
    as amended by Federal Law No. 65-FZ of May 1, 2007.

The Russian Federation ranks regulatory documents regarding foodstuffs,
including foreign, as follows:

1.  Hygienic Requirements For Foodstuff Safety And Nutrition (in force
    as SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01 since July 1, 2002) with several recent
    additions and amendments (the latest amendment establishes hygienic
    requirements for organic products);

2.  General Requirements For Providing Consumer Information Regarding
    Foodstuffs (GOST P 51074-2003); and

3.  Hygienic Requirements For Food Additives (Sanpin 2.3.2.1293-03)
    Including Additions And Amendments No. 1 TO SanPiN2.3.2.1293-03
    (SanPiN 2.3.2.2364-08) of May 2008.

## Russia's State Regulatory Bodies for Imported Foodstuffs 

The Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service, known
also by the Russian abbreviation Rosselkhoznadzor, and in the West as
VPSS, monitors veterinary and phytosanitary conditions within Russia and
enforces Russian legal requirements for veterinary and plant health. It
has veterinary and phytosanitary authority at Russia's borders and
within Russia's interior. VPSS is responsible for protecting the Russian
Federation from imports infected with contagious animal diseases, plant
pests and plant disease pathogens, quarantine plants and weeds, and any
other consignments it believes pose a threat according to its sanitary
and phytosanitary standards.

The Federal Service for the Protection of Consumer Rights and Human
Well-Being of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, also known
as Rospotrebnadzor, is responsible for food and foodstuff safety.
Rospotrebnadzor may prohibit the sale of products that do not meet
official requirements.

Other state bodies regulating imported goods and foodstuffs include:

The Federal Service for Technical Regulation and Metrology, also known
as Rostekhregulirovaniye, is part of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Rostekhregulirovaniye manages product assessment, processing, and
servicing to determine if products conform to national standards and
certification criteria.

The Federal Customs Service of Russia (FTS) regulates foreign economic
activity with a system of customs fees, duties, and charges. Three
agencies carry out customs control: the Federal Customs Service of
Russia, the provincial departments of Customs, and the Customs House and
Customs Post.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade regulates non-tariff external
economic activity including licensing and quota administration.

Contact information for certification agencies and entities is at the
end of this report.

## Recent Changes

The new administration renamed the Ministry of Industry and Energy as
the Ministry of Industry and Trade. It also renamed the Ministry of
Economic Development and Trade (MEDT) as the Ministry of Economic
Development. The government subsequently transferred control of
non-tariff import regulation, including licensing and quota
administration, from the Ministry of Economic Development to the
Ministry of Industry and Trade. The Ministry of Economic Development
will handle issues related to Russia's accession to the World Trade
Organization (WTO).

As part of Russia's effort to accede to the WTO, the Russian government
is developing a new regulatory system under the 2003 Law on Technical
Regulation. The new regulations will establish minimum requirements
necessary to ensure product safety. Federal Law No. 65 FZ of May 1, 2006
amended the 2003 law. Law No. 65-FZ determined the list of priority
technical regulations which shall be adopted by January 1, 2010. The
framework Technical Regulation on the Safety of Food Products is one of
these priorities, but it has not yet been adopted. Meanwhile, Russia
adopted two minor technical regulations on food products in 2008: the
Technical Regulation for Oils and Fats Products (Federal Law No. 90-FZ
of June 26, 2008) and the Technical Regulation for Milk and Dairy
Products (Federal Law No. 88-FZ of June 12, 2008).

The commodity sections of this report describe the latest changes in
GOSTs and in other voluntary and mandatory branch norms. Most changes
are intended to bring Russian norms closer to international standards.
To this end, the Russian government adopted Resolution No. 159 on March
24, 2006, giving VPSS the authority to apply international standards in
lieu of divergent Russian regulations when evaluating the safety of
imported live animals and certain products of animal origin.

**Principal Requirements for Food Safety**

The Hygienic Requirements for Foodstuff Safety and Nutritional Value
(SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01, as amended by several recent SanPiNs) details
general requirements for food safety. SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01 forms the
regulatory basis for the activity of all individuals and organizations
involved in foodstuff production, importation, and distribution. It also
regulates organizations engaged in retail and public catering. SanPiN
2.3.2.1078-01 additionally establishes hygienic requirements for
substances and materials that come into contact with foodstuffs. Based
on SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01, Rospotrebnadzor oversees the domestic
foodstuffs market in Russia.

# Section II. Labeling Requirements

The General Requirements for Consumer Information Regarding Foodstuffs,
GOST Р 51074-2003, came into effect on July 1, 2005. This standard
incorporates the Codex Alimentarius International Food-Packaging
Standards \[Codex Stan 1-1985 (Rev.1-1991)\]. Among other things, GOST Р
51074-2003 regulates pre-packaged food sold either in retail or
wholesale markets that supplies public catering facilities, schools,
children's facilities, therapeutic facilities, and other facilities
directly servicing consumers. GOST Р 51074-2003 establishes general
requirements for product information that must be provided to customers.

The following information must be presented in the Russian language:
data about the manufacturer (including the organization authorized to
accept claims from consumers), country of origin, trademark, net weight
or quantity, composition, nutritional value based on the specificity of
the product, storage conditions, use-by date or shelf-life expiration
date, regulatory or technical documents with which the products can be
identified,[^1] confirmation of conformity, and other data.

GOST Р 51074-2003 also requires labeling of the following:

-   food additives, biologically active additives, flavorings,
    components of non-traditional composition including components from
    raw materials containing protein that does not exist naturally and
    was added while manufacturing the product; and

-   food products that are products of biotechnology, obtained from
    products of biotechnology, or contain components from products of
    biotechnology.

For products with biotech components, information must be provided when
these components contain more than the permitted level of biotech
ingredients. The information on the label must read (in Russian):
"genetically modified \[name of the product\], \[name of the product\]
is obtained based on genetically modified sources, or \[name of the
product\] contains components received from genetically modified
sources." [^2]

The manufacturer may list the basic mineral substances and vitamins
inherent in the product without indicating their quantity. Manufacturers
are required to list a recommended daily allowance in accordance with
established procedures.

If more than 2 percent of the recommended daily allowance of proteins,
fats, carbohydrates, or calories is included in a 100-gram serving, this
information must be included on the label. The label must also indicate
if a 100-gram serving contains more than 5 percent of the daily
recommend allowance of minerals or vitamins. GOST Р 51074-2003 covers
all special requirements for nutrition labeling. GOST P 51074-2003 seeks
to incorporate international standards in order to prevent technical
trade barriers from arising during international transactions. It is
intended to provide an objective and trustworthy method for assessing
the quality and safety of products in Russia.

Information requirements have been clarified since the previous GOST (R
Р 51074-97) for the following food categories:

1.  Meat and meat products;

2.  Poultry meat;

3.  Eggs and processed egg products;

4.  Milk, dairy products, and products containing milk;

5.  Fish, non-fish fishery products, and products manufactured from
    fish;

6.  Canned products;

7.  Preserved fish and seafood;

8.  Wine products;

9.  Products manufactured by the beer and non-alcoholic beer industry;

10. Malt beverages;

11. Beverages manufactured with grain as a raw material; and

12. Low-alcohol beverages.

The general requirements[^3] for the Russian information label are:

1.  Product name;

2.  Product type, grade, or category;

3.  Name, country, address of producer, packer, exporter and importer;

4.  Product weight (net and gross) or volume;

5.  Product nutritional quality;

6.  Ingredients;

7.  Date of processing;

8.  Storage conditions;

9.  Shelf life; and

10. Conformity stamp (RST).

# Section III. Packaging and Container Requirements

Foodstuff packaging, currently regulated by 169 GOST standards that vary
by type of packaging, is important for preserving food quality and
safety. Hygienic standards have been created for materials that come
into contact with foodstuffs listed in HN 2.3.3.972-00. HN 2.3.3.972-00
also specifies the maximum permissible quantities of chemical substances
allowed to escape from materials in contact with foodstuffs. Packing
materials and transport containers must have completed sanitary and
epidemiological inspection and have a certificate of conformity. GOST Р
ISO 3394-99 establishes the permitted size, shape, and material of
transport containers.

Many products imported into Russia must meet product-type-specific
packaging requirements. Packaged grains, for example, must be packaged
in air-permeable materials as stated in the Ministry of Agriculture's
Order No. 681 of September 3, 2002.

Specifications for packaging are a vital part of each commercial
contract. Before signing a contract, the importer should research the
specific packaging requirements and advise the exporter accordingly.
Packaging (e.g., cardboard or paper boxes, plastic or polymer packets,
bottles or cans) that comes into direct contact with products must be
certified. Certification is not required for containers, pallets, and
other packaging that does not come into immediate contact with products.
For additional information please see GAIN RS5067 *Guidelines For
Regulating Wood Packing Material In International Trade*.

Air, water, and steam affect some products. Therefore, the permeability
of the packaging material to gas, steam, water, fats, and odors is an
important requirement. For instance, chilled meat must be packaged in
material with low-vapor permeability in order to prevent the loss of
moisture. The material must also have a specific gas-permeability to
preserve the color. Products must be packed reliably, taking into
account their nature, the method of transport, and storage temperatures.

Sanitary and hygienic requirements must also be used when selecting food
packaging. Packing material may not be manufactured from highly toxic
compounds having cumulative characteristics, including carcinogenicity,
mutagenicity, or allergenicity. The material must not change the
organoleptic or nutritional qualities of the foodstuffs, and it may not
discharge hazardous substances in excess of permissible levels.

# Section IV. Food Additive Regulations

Food additive control and regulation are included in Section 9 of SanPiN
2.3.2.1078-01 and SanPiN-2.3.2.1293-03, Hygienic Requirements for Food
Additives. These rules establish safety requirements for food additives
in order to make products safe for human consumption. The Russian
government recently amended its food additive regulations with SanPiN
2.3.2.2364-08, Changes and Amendments No. 1 to SanPiN 2.3.2.1293-03
Hygiene Requirements for Use of Food Additives. Appendix 3, Section 3.1
of SanPiN-2.3.2.1293-03, regulates foodstuffs and food additives that
are used for production and applied in accordance with the Technological
Instruction Manual. Appendix 3 also lists foodstuffs, for example baby
food, that have more stringent food-additive regulations.

Food additives prohibited in foodstuff manufacturing include:

  -------------- --------------------------------- -----------------------
  **Code**       **Name of the food additive**     **Technological
                                                   function**

  E121           Citrus Red 2                      Colorant

  E123           Amaranth                          Colorant

  E240           Formaldehyde                      Preservative

  E924a          Potassium Bromate                 Flour and bread
                                                   enhancer

  E924b          Calcium Bromate                   Flour and bread
                                                   enhancer
  -------------- --------------------------------- -----------------------

The Russian government may prohibit the use of other food additives if
safety testing is incomplete. Since 2005, Rospotrebnadzor has also
prohibited importing foodstuffs produced using preservatives Е216 and
Е217.

# Section V. Pesticides and Other Contaminants

Russia enforces its own permissible content levels for pesticides and
contaminants in domestic and imported products. Several official
documents specify these levels. For example, SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01
defines permissible content levels by product groups. SanPiN
2.3.2.1078-01 also mandates that the level of pesticide residue allowed
in raw material (e.g., in grain or vegetables) should be tested for each
product manufactured from the input.

The Ministry of Agriculture regulates application procedures and the use
of officially registered pesticides. The Ministry of Agriculture also
annually publishes standards in the State Catalogue of Pesticides and
Agricultural Chemical Substances Allowed for Use in the Russian
Federation, available in Russian on the Ministry of Agriculture website
at <http://www.mcx.ru/index.html?he_id=961&doc_id=7610>. The catalogue
contains chemical groupings, usage requirements, application timeframes,
and a list of chemical agents to be used for each pest or weed. Chemical
agents not listed in this catalogue are banned from use and their
residue is not allowed in or on foodstuffs.

# Section VI. Other Regulations and Requirements 

SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01 establishes specific requirements for safety with
respect to various groups of foodstuffs. Appropriate sections of this
report contain information about these requirements.

## General Requirements for Products of Plant Origin 

Three international documents form the basis of Russian phytosanitary
requirements:

-   the International Plant Protection Convention,

-   the WTO agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, and

-   the Food and Agricultural Organization International Standards on
    Phytosanitary Measures.

Phytosanitary regulation applies to all imports of plants and products
of plant origin. The Federal Legislation on Plant Quarantine of July 15,
2000 and the Ministry of Agriculture's Order No. 681 of September 3,
2002 state the main requirements. The latter deals specifically with
plant quarantine when importing, storing, transporting, or using grain
or grain products used for food, feed, or processing.

The Ministry of Agriculture and VPSS have issued a number of regulatory
documents that clarify the quarantine requirements for products being
imported into or transported domestically within Russia. The most
important regulations are the Commodity Nomenclature Subject to
Quarantine Phytosanitary Control, found at
<http://www.mcx.ru/images/download.html?pi_id=4481>, and the List of
Pests, Plant Diseases, and Weeds with Quarantine Issues, found at
[http://www.mcx.ru/index.html?he_id=484&doc_id=3252[^4]](http://www.mcx.ru/index.html?he_id=484&doc_id=3252).

The List of Pests, Plant Diseases, and Weeds with Quarantine Issues
contains the following sections:

I.  Quarantine organisms not present in Russia

    a.  Plant pests

    b.  Plant diseases

    c.  Weeds

II. Quarantine organisms of limited presence in Russia

    a.  Plant pests

    b.  Plant diseases

    c.  Weeds

In order to bring Russian rules on plant quarantine into conformity with
European and WTO standards, the government enacted the Commodity
Nomenclature Subject to Quarantine Phytosanitary Control on January 1,
2007. This document classifies products subject to phytosanitary
quarantine control and specifies requirements for submitting import and
export documents. VPSS and the Federal Customs Service are working
jointly on this new nomenclature system. VPSS and the Federal Customs
Service can amend such regulations. Additionally, the Federal Customs
Service may add, drop, or amend tariff codes. Therefore, it is
imperative that Russian-speaking employees of importers or exporters
monitor these changes.

Phytosanitary certificates are not presently required for some goods of
plant origin, including pasta products and products packaged in vacuum
packs or foil. Rospotrebnadzor requires sanitary-epidemiological
certification or registration for these goods. Russia diverges from
international norms by requiring phytosanitary certificates for many
products not conventionally subject to such certification. In some
cases, such as roasted coffee beans in large bags, Russia requires
certification for products over which no U.S. Government agency has
phytosanitary certification authority.

Several Ministry of Agriculture guidelines also regulate trade,
including:

-   Conditions for Using Imported and Domestic Grain and Grain Products,
    and List of Approved Facilities (1999); and

-   Order No. 61 of April 4, 2006, On Temporary Procedures to Issue
    Permission for Imported Products Subject To Quarantine Procedures.

Any product subject to quarantine regulations can only be cleared at
authorized customs temporary storage facilities as stated in the
Ministry of Agriculture's Order No. 220 of August 3, 2005.

One of the latest documents is Ministry of Agriculture's Order No. 163
of March 14, 2007, On Organizing Activities To Issue Phytosanitary And
Quarantine Certificates. The full text is available at
<http://www.mcx.ru/index.html?he_id=900&doc_id=14166>. This document
specifies requirements, procedures, and timelines for submitting import
and export documents and for receiving phytosanitary and quarantine
certificates. In accordance with the Federal Law on Plant Quarantine,
quarantined products are to be classified as plants, products of plant
origin, transport containers and packaging, soil or other organisms, or
as objects or materials that may carry or spread hazardous organisms.

A quarantine certificate is mandatory for the above-mentioned products
to be brought into the Russian Federation, transported within Russia, or
taken out of a phytosanitary quarantine zone. VPSS has the authority to
review, issue, or deny applications for phytosanitary and quarantine
certificates.

VPSS issues certificates either from its headquarters or from regional
offices closer to where the products will be delivered. A phytosanitary
certificate is valid for 15 days after being issued. Imports must cross
the Russian border during this time. There is also a procedure to
reissue expired certificates.

Applications for certificates will be approved or rejected within 30
days of receipt of the completed application and all required documents.
Regional offices will send approved certificates to VPSS headquarters to
obtain a registration number. Certificates without a registration number
are invalid. Certificates will be distributed within 3 working days
after VPSS approves or rejects them.

VPSS approved an application format and a list of documents required to
obtain a certificate. As described in the quarantine regulations, each
lot brought into or transported through Russian territory requires a
quarantine certificate.

VPSS will issue phytosanitary and quarantine certificates and permits
only in the name of the physical or legal entity registered in the
territory of the Russian Federation with the Russian tax authorities.

If authorities detect a quarantined organism during quarantine
inspections at border checkpoints, they have the right to decontaminate
the shipment or return the shipment to the exporter. If decontamination
is not possible, the authorities may dispose of the shipment in a manner
compliant with phytosanitary rules.

Since 2000 the Russian government has required registration of
biotechnology events and has monitored marketing of products derived
from products of biotechnology. A new regulation was approved and
published in July 2007 requiring food to be labeled if more than 0.9
percent of the ingredients come from products of biotechnology. The
threshold was previously set at 5.0 percent. This regulation went into
effect September 1, 2007. Russia currently allows 13 kinds of
biotechnology events, including: three types of soy, five types of corn,
two types of sugar beets, two types of potatoes, and one type of rice
(for details please see GAIN report RS7052 *Biotechnology Annual 2007*
and GAIN report RS7053 *Russia Establishes 0.9% Threshold for Biotech
Labeling*).

### Additional Data 

Certificates are issued for each lot of a product. A lot is a specified
quantity (depending on the product) that meets the following
requirements:

-   the product was manufactured at one facility,

-   the entire lot was manufactured during the same month, and

-   the entire lot was transported in the same vehicle.

All of the above criteria must be met in order for a product to be
described as a single lot. If, for example, products arrive in the same
vehicle but were manufactured during different months, separate
certificates and packaging descriptions will be assigned.

# Section VII. Other Specific Standards

1\. Most Russian standards are codified in the State Standards (GOST).
The website [www.gost.ru](http://www.gost.ru/) includes a search engine
and a list of recently published standards in Russian.

2\. The Sanitary Rules and Norms (SanPiN) are de-facto standards, though
they are not formally classified as such. The latest SanPiNs are
available online in Russian at <http://www.rospotrebnadzor.ru/>. Earlier
SanPiNs are only available in hard copy.

3\. Federal agencies and services such as VPSS and Rospotrebnadzor may
develop other rules from time to time. One example is the
biotech-content threshold. As these are ad hoc, traders must closely
monitor announcements of new rules that serve as de facto standards.

# Section VIII. Copyright and Trademark Laws

Trademark and intellectual property laws are based Federal Law No.
3520-I of September 23, 1992. This law governs trademarks, service
marks, and geographic appellations.

The government amended this law by passing Federal Law No. 166 on
December 11, 2002. These amendments were made to facilitate Russia's
integration into the global economy and WTO accession. The legislation
seeks to better protect registered trademarks by defining infringing
goods and facilitating the physical disposal of infringing products that
have been seized.

The new law also offers a mechanism to contest intellectual property
rights violations and bring suit for the illegal use of trademarks.
These new procedures help ensure respect for applicants' rights. The
amendments help clarify the standards and procedures for registering
trademarks, grounds for the denial of trademark registration, and
methods for contesting trademark usage verdicts.

# Section IX. Import Procedures

## Overview

All imported commodities are classified in accordance with the Codes of
the Customs Commodities' Nomenclature of the Foreign Economic Activity
of the Russian Federation. Their descriptions can be found online at
<http://www.customs.ru/ru/tariffs/>. These codes are close, but not
identical, to the U.S. Customs Service Harmonized Code numbers.

### Import Operations for Products of Animal Origin 

When a consignment reaches the Russian border, the importer must give
customs operators a bank document verifying that he has made a deposit
for the assigned duties and taxes. Before a bank can provide documents
for customs clearance, the importer must provide proof of business
registration, a supplier contract, and veterinary documents permitting
imports. Each lot must also have a domestic veterinary certificate (Form
No. 2) from the veterinary service at the border. The importer can
obtain Form No. 2 by providing the following:

> 1\. Delivery contracts, loading bill, invoice, packing list, and
> customs declaration[^5];
>
> 2\. Veterinary certificate;
>
> 3\. U.S. veterinary health certificate;
>
> 4\. Safety certificate;
>
> 5\. Certificate of conformity; and
>
> 6\. Certificate of origin.

The following documents are necessary to conduct a sanitary and
epidemiological expert examination (SEZ) for imported products:

1.  ![](media/image2.png){width="1.96875in"
    height="2.7083333333333335in"}Completed application including:

    a.  Application form stamped by the applicant for conduct of
        inspection of the product being applied for,

    b.  Name and legal address of the applicant (for organizations)

    c.  Last name, first name, and patronymic of applicant or authorized
        representative;

2.  Contract or data about the contract to supply the product;

3.  Copies of documents confirming the product's safety for humans
    provided by authorities in the country of origin;

4.  Copies of the regulatory and/or technical documents (technical
    specifications, regulations, technical instructions, specifications,
    formulas/compositions, etc.) that were used when manufacturing the
    imported product;

5.  Consumer label, draft of consumer label, or data to be included on
    consumer label;

6.  Testing protocols and conclusions of the accredited labs (if
    available); and

7.  Product samples in the quantity or volume required to conduct a
    sanitary and epidemiological evaluation if there are no results from
    previously conducted expert examinations and no evaluation estimates
    of toxicological, hygienic, or other tests.

The importer must submit one set of documents. Documents in a foreign
language must be translated into Russian.

### Certification of Individual Batches and Shipments Based on the Contract

Importers should submit the following items with the application:[^6]

-   Contract to supply the product

-   Transport documents

-   Invoice

-   Certificate of origin

-   Certificate of quality from the supplier or the manufacturer

-   Veterinary certificate (for products of animal origin)

-   Phytosanitary certificate (for products of plant origin)

-   Veterinary certificate from the country of origin

-   Import permit from VPSS when importing meat products

The list of required documents may be extended. Products under tariff
rate quota, for example, may require proof that the importer holds an
import-quota allocation from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

### Transport Documents

Transport documents are standard documents required by any national
importer.

### Customs Payments

Customs clearance usually occurs at the point of destination and
typically takes between 2 and 4 days. All customs documents must be in
the Russian language. Customs duties, fees, and the value-added tax
(VAT) are usually paid in advance to avoid delays in customs clearance.
Customs duties, payments, and taxes depend on the type of product and
are calculated based on the customs value of the product (i.e., product
value plus transportation cost). The customs value cannot be less than
the accepted value, a figure that customs authorities determine.

Traders should use the Russian Customs Tariff and Tax Code to calculate
customs duties and fees. The Russian government published new customs
tariff rates in Resolution 718 of November 27, 2006. Russia's Customs
Tariff is a code of import-duty rates that corresponds with Russia's
Commodity Nomenclature. Customs duties, fees, and payments are
calculated based on rates from the customs value of the goods and are
assigned while developing the consignment's customs declaration.

Tariff rates are subject to change, and thus importers and exporters
must monitor amendments to the tariff schedule. The official website of
the Russian Customs Service publishes tariffs at
<http://www.customs.ru/ru/tariffs/>

### Special Requirements for Importing Individual Commodity Groups 

#### Meat and Poultry

Products derived from meat processing must comply with Russian and USDA
standards. Meat must come from inspected and approved facilities. The
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service's Export Library lists these
facilities. It can be found online at
<http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Eligible_US_Establishments_by_Country/index.asp>.

### Inspection of Meat Processing and Packing Facilities 

#### Poultry

Inspectors from VPSS must examine all facilities that process or store
raw poultry intended for export to Russia. After inspection and
approval, VPSS includes the establishments on an official list of
approved facilities. Facilities must pay all inspection costs. The
U.S.-Russia Criteria for Processing and Refrigeration Facilities
Exporting Poultry to the Russian Federation states the requirements for
facilities. To receive additional information on facilities' inspection,
inspection criteria, or a list of approved facilities, please contact
FSIS's Technical Service Center, Export Division at (402) 221-7400. A
list of approved poultry facilities can be found online at
<http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OFO/export/RussiaPoulst.htm>.

#### Pork

Inspectors from VPSS must examine all facilities that process or store
raw pork intended for export to Russia. After inspection and approval,
VPSS includes the establishments on an official list of approved
facilities. Facilities must pay all inspection costs. To receive
additional information on facilities' inspection, inspection criteria,
or a list of approved facilities, please contact FSIS's Technical
Service Center, Export Division at (402) 221-7400. A list of approved
pork facilities can be found online at
<http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OFO/export/lrupork.htm>.

#### Beef

Inspectors from VPSS must examine all facilities that process or store
raw beef intended for export to Russia. After inspection and approval,
VPSS includes the establishments on an official list of approved
facilities. Facilities must pay all inspection costs. To receive
additional information on facilities' inspection, inspection criteria,
or a list of approved facilities, please contact FSIS's Technical
Service Center, Export Division at (402) 221-7400. In July 2008 VPSS
ended its ban on U.S. beef and approved several U.S. facilities for
export of beef to Russia. A list of approved beef facilities can be
found online at
<http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OFO/export/lrubeef.htm>

## Labeling Information for Consumers 

In addition to other regulation, the General Requirements for Consumer
Information Regarding Foodstuffs, GOST Р 51074-2003, establishes the
following requirements:

-   Refrigerated poultry meat, offal, consumer-ready products, sausage,
    or any meat products must be labeled as frozen or chilled;

-   Packaging must be labeled for poultry meat, consumer-ready products,
    culinary items, sausage, products from meat, and culinary items from
    poultry meat if packaged in vacuum packs or modified gas media
    (MGM);

-   The percentage of meat, fat, offal, and plant-origin components must
    be listed for canned products -- including those from poultry meat,
    ham, porridges containing meat - and for consistent, finely ground
    products;

-   Recommendations for the product's final preparation are required for
    consumer-ready canned products.

## Food Additive Content Requirements

In June 2008 the Russian government issued a new amendment (SanPiN
[2.3.2.2364-08](http://www.rospotrebnadzor.ru/files/docs/appendix/2021_app1.zip))
to the Hygiene Requirements for Use of Food Additives (SanPiN
2.3.2.1293-03). Enforcement of the new regulations will begin on August
1, 2008. This document bans some food additives and approves others.

This document will be translated and sent as a separate GAIN report.

## Pesticides and other Contaminants 

SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01 establishes permitted levels of pesticides and
other contaminants. Levels of contamination by heavy metals including
cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic are considered when determining
toxicological indices of safety for meat, poultry meat, and processed
products thereof.

Maximum permissible levels are also set for:

-   Antibiotics (Levomycetin, Grysin, Bacitracin, and the tetracycline
    group)

-   Pesticides (hexachlorocyclohexane -- alpha, beta, and gamma isomers)

-   DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and its metabolites

-   Radionuclides (cesium, strontium)

In meat products manufactured using nitrites, maximum permissible levels
exist for nitrosamines (total NDMA and NDEA), as well as for benzopyrene
in smoked meat products. For all meat products, microbiological indices
are established in SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01.

On June 2, 2008 the Russian government signed Decree No. 33, On
Production and Circulation of Poultry Meat. Decree No. 33 prohibits
handling poultry carcasses with water-based solutions that contain
chlorine in amounts exceeding the hygienic requirements for drinking
water. The resolution will come into effect on January 1, 2009. The new
permitted chlorine-residue level will be 100 times more stringent that
the current level set by Russian regulations for poultry production. The
resolution will effectively prohibit a common industry practice of using
chlorine in antimicrobial washes to kill surface food-borne pathogens
such as *Salmonella* and *E. coli*.

Under Russia's current requirements, the free-chlorine content in water
used to chill poultry may not exceed 50 milligrams per cubic decimeter
(50 parts per million).

## Import Quotas

Russian Federation Resolution № 732 of December 5, 2005, established the
quota volumes of beef, pork, and poultry meat permitted for import under
reduced tariffs from 2006 to 2009 as well as rates for the import
customs duties both in and out of quota (please see GAIN RS5084 *Meat
Tariff Rate Quota Decree Issued* for full details).

Changes to Resolution 733 (December 5, 2005) were made in Resolution 553
(September 8, 2006) to regulate importation of beef, pork, and poultry
meat from 2006 to 2009. If a country of origin introduces limitations on
the exportation of beef, pork, or poultry meat lasting more than 3
months of the year, or if there is not enough product available from the
country of origin, the importer has the right to reregister a license to
bring in the same product from any other country in the same quantity
regardless of the established quota. Previously, this option was only
available in the event of disease outbreaks in a country of origin to
which a quota had been assigned

Resolution 186, adopted March 31, 2006, lists the criteria for adequate
meat processing (for purposes of reclassifying products as
further-processed in order to take advantage of inward processing
incentives). For products made of raw materials in commodity
nomenclature classifications 0201, 0202, 0203, 0204, 0205, and 0207, the
following processing methods are no longer eligible:

-   mixing of meat, including mechanically de-boned poultry meat, with
    spices, plant proteins, and/or salt;

-   other operations that do not change the product substantially,
    including injection salting; and

-   cutting up of bone-in meat or mechanical de-boning of poultry meat.

On June 7, 2008 Russia\'s Chief Medical Officer[^7] Gennadiy Onishchenko
signed Resolution No. 30, On Approval of SanPiN 2.3.2 2362-08. With the
exception of mechanically-separated meat and collagen containing raw
materials from poultry meat, the resolution prohibits the use of frozen
poultry meat for manufacturing baby food, dietetic nutrition, and
specialized food products for pregnant and nursing women, effective
January 1, 2010. It further prohibits the use of frozen poultry meat for
manufacturing into any type of food product, effective January 1, 2011.
Chilled meat and offals are defined as meat and offals obtained
immediately from slaughter, cooled to temperatures ranging from 0° to 4°
Celsius in deep muscle tissue.

## Eligible/Ineligible Products 

A.  Eligible

    1.  Poultry and poultry products (including bulk-packed ground
        poultry)

    2.  Pork and pork products

    3.  Deboned beef, bone-in beef, and beef byproducts derived from
        cattle less than 30 months of age. The beef and beef byproducts
        must be derived from cattle raised in the United States and must
        be processed in a manner to prevent contamination with brain,
        spinal cord, eyes, skull, and vertebral column regardless of the
        age of the animal. Eligible beef and beef byproducts must be
        produced under an approved AMS Export Verification (EV) program
        for beef to Russia. Information about the EV program for Russia
        can be obtained from
        <http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5058609>

    4.  Horsemeat

    5.  Baby food containing beef imported from Australia and/or New
        Zealand is eligible for export to Russia.

B.  Ineligible

    1.  Beef and beef products other than those identified in the
        Eligible Products section above and all bison meat and bison
        meat products.

    2.  Red meat - Importation of ground red meat, packaged in bulk form
        or in the form of meat patties, is prohibited by the Russian
        authorities.

    3.  Lamb, sheep, and goat products. However, fully cooked, canned
        baby food containing lamb is eligible for export to Russia.

    4.  Consumer size packages of ground poultry, mechanically deboned
        poultry, and giblets are not eligible for export to Russia.

    5.  Meat and Poultry imported into the United States from third
        countries

    6.  Beef products originating from animals raised in states with
        counties which have had confirmed bovine cases of vesicular
        stomatitis within the last 12 months. Beef products originating
        from animals raised in Texas slaughtered on or after February 1,
        2008 are eligible.

    7.  Horsemeat originating from establishments located in the State
        of Texas. Horsemeat derived from animals slaughtered on or after
        February 1, 2008 is eligible.

    8.  Fresh/frozen poultry meat derived from birds raised or processed
        in the State of West Virginia and slaughtered on or after April
        1, 2007, but prior to September 18, 2007 is ineligible. Meat
        derived from birds slaughtered prior to April 1, 2007 or
        slaughtered on or after September 18, 2007 is eligible.

    9.  Fresh/frozen poultry meat derived from birds raised or processed
        in the State of Minnesota and slaughtered on or after May 2,
        2007, but prior to August 2, 2007, is ineligible. Meat derived
        from birds slaughtered prior to May 2, 2007 or slaughtered on or
        after August 2, 2007 is eligible.

    10. Fresh/frozen poultry meat derived from birds raised or processed
        in the State of Virginia and slaughtered on or after July 7,
        2007, but prior to October 12, 2007, is ineligible. Meat derived
        from birds slaughtered prior to July 7, 2007 or slaughtered on
        or after October 12, 2007, is eligible.

    11. Fresh/frozen poultry meat derived from birds raised or processed
        in the State of South Dakota and slaughtered on or after
        November 15, 2007, but prior to February 13, 2008, is
        ineligible. Meat derived from birds slaughtered prior to
        November 15, 2007, or slaughtered on or after February 13, 2008,
        is eligible.

    12. Fresh/Frozen poultry meat derived from birds raised or processed
        in the State of North Carolina and slaughtered on or after May
        3, 2008, is ineligible. Meat derived from birds slaughtered
        prior to May 3, 2008, is eligible.

    13. Fresh/Frozen poultry meat derived from birds raised or processed
        in the State of Arkansas and slaughtered on or after June 2,
        2008, is ineligible. Meat derived from birds slaughtered prior
        to June 2, 2008, is eligible.

The list of ineligible products is updated frequently, so please contact
the following U.S. Government offices for updated information.

For updated status of bans due to disease outbreaks:

> Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
>
> Technical Service Center
>
> Omaha, Nebraska
>
> tel. (402) 221-7400
>
> fax (402) 418-8914

For current export requirements:

> Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS)
>
> Export Coordination Division
>
> tel. (202) 501-6022
>
> fax (202) 501-6929

The latest requirements are posted on the FSIS website:

<http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Russia_Requirements/index.asp>

## Importation Procedures 

Because the Government of the Russian Federation has established
tariff-rate quotas for the import of fresh, chilled, and frozen beef,
pork, poultry, and poultry offal, to bring a product into the Russian
Federation at the in-quota tariff rate it is necessary to secure a
license. Under the previous administration, the Ministry of Economic
Development and Trade (MEDT) issued this license. The current
administration moved some functions related to foreign trade to the
Ministry of Industry. It also moved some agricultural-import functions
to the Ministry of Agriculture. The administration has not yet decided
what agency will be the final authority for agricultural trade.

The previous administration issued licenses with the following
procedure. MEDT reviewed license applications within 5 days of
submission and then issued the licenses. The Ministry evaluated license
applications every year from December 15 until August 1. Licenses are to
be obtained annually, or each time the volume of the imported meat
increases. Unlicensed importers are subject to fines, as are importers
who import in excess of their approved volumes.

VPSS must then grant an import permit, which the importer must request
by letter from the local veterinary directorate for intended meat
imports. The local veterinary directorates relay the requests to the
central authorities of VPSS. Once granted, permission is sent to the
border by telephonogram[^8], indicating the volume and place of origin
for the meat that the importer is permitted to bring into the country,
as well as the use for which it is approved (retail sale, industrial
processing for food purposes, etc.) This process takes 2 weeks.

Approximately 3 days before the shipment is due to arrive, the importer
must transfer money into a designated bank deposit to pay for customs
fees and taxes based on the shipment's value. When the shipment arrives
at customs, the importer has to provide documents from the bank
certifying payment has been made. The importer must sign an agreement
with regional departments in advance, as well as provide documents to
prove the business is registered (charter/terms of reference documents),
the contract with the supplier, the permission from the veterinary
authorities allowing import of the meat, as well as bank confirmation of
the transaction.

In order to obtain veterinary certification, the importer must present
the documents listed in Section IX, above. Once the shipment has
veterinary certification, customs services will permit the cargo to pass
through the port.

### Veterinary Certificates 

All meat and poultry products shipped from the United States to Russia
require an agreed Export Certificate of Health issued by the USDA Food
Safety and Inspection Service. This document certifies that the product
complies with the Russian veterinary requirements, and states that the
product has been manufactured at a facility approved for export to
Russia. Listed below are the veterinary certificate forms, based on the
particular type of meat product:

-   Raw pork and pork by-products, including bacon and pork for retail
    sale: FSIS 9450-3, Veterinary Certificate for Frozen Pork Meat and
    By-Products Exported into the Russian Federation for Processing or
    Retail Sale;

-   Pork intestine raw material: FSIS Form 9450-6, Veterinary
    Certificate for Pork Intestine Raw Material, Exported into the
    Russia Federation;

-   Poultry meat: FSIS Form 9450-4, Veterinary Certificate for Poultry
    Meat Exported to the Russian Federation;

-   

-   Raw beef and beef by-products: FSIS Form 9450-5, Veterinary
    Certificate for Beef and Beef By-Products Exported from the USA to
    the Russian Federation;

-   Fully-cooked meat and poultry products: FSIS Form 9450-7 (7/95),
    Veterinary Certificate for Prepared Meat Products Exported into the
    Russian Federation;

-   Heat-treated but not fully-cooked or shelf-stable poultry products:
    FSIS Form 9450-7 (7/95) \-- Veterinary Certificate for Prepared Meat
    Products Exported into the Russian Federation.

All certificates that accompany the product to the Russian Federation
must be signed by FSIS veterinarians.

### Other Documents

-   Certificate of Conformity (the procedure for procuring this document
    is listed below),

-   Certificate of origin (not required for all exporting countries),

-   Sanitary-epidemiological conclusion (the procedure to obtain this
    document is listed below),

-   Invoice containing information on goods and transportation (for sea
    transportation -- the Bill of Lading, for vehicle transportation -
    CMR).

### Certification of Meat and Meat Products

Exporters should remember that raw meat products and fully-cooked meat
products have very different import procedures. To import raw meat and
raw meat by-products, Russian importers should obtain an Import Permit
issued by VPSS, and the U.S. exporter must provide veterinary
certification. To import fully-cooked meat and dairy products, Russian
importers must register the product with the Federal Service for the
Protection of Consumer Rights and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor)
prior to importation. In lieu of registration, importers may provide a
Sanitary-Epidemiological Conclusion on the product. If the product is
registered in the Russian Federation, the Russian importer must obtain a
Certificate of Conformity for each shipment. In practice, the
Certificate of Conformity is valid for one year. Meanwhile, the U.S.
exporter should obtain FSIS Form 9450-7 as mentioned above. In the case
of dairy, the U.S. exporter should obtain a veterinary certificate for
milk and milk products.

In accordance with the certification system GOST Р, confirmation of
conformity may be exercised by way of declaring conformity and mandatory
certification. The following meat products must be confirmed by the
declaration of conformity:

-   Meat from any type of slaughter and/or commercially hunted animals,
    as well as agricultural poultry and game;

-   Offal from slaughter animals, poultry, alimentary blood;

-   Crude fat resulting from beef, pork and poultry; chilled and frozen
    pork fat;

-   Poultry meat processed using freeze drying and thermal drying
    processes, and bouillon cubes; and

-   Edible gelatin.

Listed below are the products subject to mandatory certification.

-   Meat-based baby foods;

-   Chilled, salted, and smoked pork fat;

-   Sausage items, smoked and culinary items from meat and poultry, pâté
    and aspic, etc.; and

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Canned meat and canned meat with vegetables.

The certificate of conformity for mandatory certification is issued
using a yellow form; the certificate of conformity for voluntary
certification is issued using a blue form, and declaration of
conformity, a white form.

To obtain certification, the applicant must submit the following
documentation to the certification body:

-   Contract,

-   Invoice,

-   Bill of lading (CMR),

-   Veterinary certificate,

-   Veterinary certificate (Form 2),

-   Certificate of origin, and

-   Label.

The charter/terms of reference of the applicant\'s business are also
necessary, if this is a first application.

Regardless of the procedure for conformity confirmation, the commission
takes a sample from the lot of products for identification and
laboratory testing, then the commission composes a report on the results
of the laboratory tests. The samples are forwarded to an accredited
laboratory, where they are tested. Upon completion of testing, the
testing records are forwarded to the certification body. A similar set
of documents is prepared to obtain the sanitary-epidemiological
conclusion, which is issued by an office of Rospotrebnadzor. Based on
these documents, the protocol of identification, the testing protocols,
the sanitary-epidemiological conclusion and the certificate of
conformity are issued.

Imported meat is usually certified using Schematic 7 (lot certification)
or Schematic 10 (serial release, for a contract). The term of validity
for Schematic 7 is limited by the expiration date of the meat product,
and the term of validity for Schematic 10 is usually limited to 1 year.

The sanitary-epidemiological conclusion of a product is valid for 1
year.

Rospotrebnadzor plans to introduce a new set of requirements for meat
products that are imported to Russia, regardless of the country of
origin. This system sets forth analogous requirements for the meat
quality intended for both processing and for retail sale.

## Alcoholic Products 

**(2203 -- beer; 2204 -- wine; 2208 -- alcoholic beverages)**

The principal laws and legislative acts regulating Russian Federation
alcohol imports (excepting those indicated in the general section) are:

-   Federal Law № 171 of November 22, 1995 on State Regulation of
    Production and Handling of Ethyl Alcohol, Alcohol Products, and
    Alcohol Containing Products (as amended as of December 1, 2007 by
    Federal Law № 302);

-   Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation of December
    31, 2005, № 866, Labeling Alcohol Products with Excise
    Stamps;(Changes were made in Resolution of the Government of the
    Russian Federation of October 24, 2007, № 699);

-   Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation of December
    31, 2005, № 872, Certification Attached to the Shipment Customs
    Declaration;

-   Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation of February
    8, 2006, № 80, amending the Resolution of the Government of the
    Russian Federation of January 19, 1998, № 55, and repealing certain
    acts regarding the retail sale of alcohol products; and

-   Resolution of the Chief Medical Officer of the Russian Federation of
    February 28, 2007, № 7, "Increased Supervision over Production and
    Handling of alcohol products".

Federal Law 171 establishes the legislative groundwork for the
production and handling of ethyl alcohol, alcohol products and products
containing alcohol in the Russian Federation. Federal Law 171 does not
cover the production and handling of beer, nor does it cover the
production and handling of natural beverages with alcohol content below
6 percent by volume manufactured from wine materials and produced
without fortification with ethyl alcohol. This law delineates special
requirements for the production and handling of alcoholic beverages and
products containing alcohol. These special requirements include:

-   Mandatory marking of products imported into the Russian Federation
    (ethyl alcohol content exceeding 9 percent by volume of the final
    product) with excise stamps;

-   Documents necessary for import, as well as the documents that are
    necessary for the supplier and importer to carry out the production
    and handling of alcoholic beverages and products containing alcohol;

-   Registration data about the alcoholic beverages and products
    containing alcohol in the Unified State Automated System (EGAIS);

-   Information on the alcoholic product in the Russian language;

-   Information about how consumer packaging ensures that one can
    determine if the product has been tampered with; and

-   Quality of the alcohol products brought into the Russian Federation.

Alcoholic products may pass through Customs into the Russian Federation
only if the importer has a license to procure, store, and import such
products.

The importer is responsible for marking the imported alcohol products
with the excise stamps before the products enter the Russian Federation.
To do this, the importer must provide for registration of the imported
alcohol product in the unified state automated system (EGAIS), as well
as print data about the alcohol product on the excise stamps, procure
such stamps, and attach them to the consumer packaging. The importer
bears responsibility for the authenticity of the data as well as for the
correctness of their placement on the excise stamps. However, the
supplier is responsible for providing the importer with correct
information. The following data are placed on the excise stamp, much of
the data being provided by the exporter:

-   Name of the alcoholic product;

-   Type of alcoholic product;

-   Ethyl alcohol content;

-   Volume of the alcoholic product in consumer packaging;

-   Producer of the alcoholic product;

-   Country of origin of the alcoholic product;

-   Identification of the special economic zone (OEZ); and

-   Other data in accordance with Article 12 of Federal Law "On state
    regulation of production and handling of ethyl alcohol, alcoholic
    products and alcohol containing products."

### Information Requirements 

Labeling requirements for alcoholic products in the Russian language are
presented in Federal Law 171 and in GOST Р 51074-2003. In addition to
the general information required for a majority of all imported
products, the following specific requirements are needed.

-   For beer- The type of beer (light, semi-dark, dark), the value of
    alcohol by percent (except for non-alcoholic beer and special beer
    with aromatic and flavored additives), the minimum percentage of
    ethyl alcohol by volume, bottling date, the composition of the
    primary raw materials used to manufacture the beer, and the
    nutritional value must be on the label.

-   For wine- In addition to the name and address of the producer, and
    the organization in the Russian Federation that is authorized to
    accept claims from the consumer in Russia (if available), the
    facility that bottled the wine, bottling date or the date it matures
    (for sparkling wines that age in bottles); the percentage of ethyl
    alcohol by volume, the mass concentration of the sugars (except for
    dry wines) should also be indicated. For sparkling wines, flavored
    wines, and ciders, the name based on the sugar content; the year of
    harvest (for controlled appellation wines based on the location, as
    well as for mature wines prepared from the grapes harvested during
    one year); the expiration date for wine in which the percentage
    ethyl alcohol by volume is less than 10%, and nutritional value
    should be indicated on the label as well.

-   For alcoholic beverages- The volume of ethyl alcohol, concentration
    of sugar (if sugar is in the formulation) by mass, bottling date,
    the composition (including the list of the primary ingredients
    influencing the taste and the aroma of the product), the expiration
    date for beverages in which ethyl alcohol by volume is less than 10
    percent.

As of February 1, 2007, a mandatory warning must be displayed on the
label about the health risks of excessive alcohol consumption. For all
alcohol products, information about the presence of the following is
mandatory:

-   Food additives,

-   Flavorings,

-   Biologically active food additives,

-   Ingredients of non-traditional products,

-   Any components of the product (if any) derived from products of
    biotechnology,

-   Content of substances that are hazardous to health, determined in
    conformity with the mandatory requirements of applicable Russian
    standards and technical regulations.

### Safety and Quality 

Safety and quality of alcoholic products imported to the Russian
Federation must be not lower than those established by Russian standards
and regulations. To clear Customs, alcoholic products must be
accompanied by documents confirming conformity with Russian standards of
safety and quality: the sanitary-epidemiological conclusion and the
certificate of conformity. To expedite customs clearance procedures, and
to reduce the cost of clearance and temporary storage, it is recommended
that sanitary-epidemiological expert examinations and certification of
the imported products be conducted approximately 1 month in advance of
the shipment's arrival at Customs. To do this, the supplier must provide
the following to the importer:

-   Product samples of every type and/or name, in sufficient quantities
    to conduct the sanitary-epidemiological expert examination and
    certification (as a rule, four bottles of 0.7-0.8 dm^3^ capacity or
    six bottles of 0.5 dm^3^ capacity. If the capacities are different,
    then the total volume of the product to be tested must constitute at
    least 2 dm^3^; if the product is supplied in kegs, drums, or
    barrels, then the quantity of the product must be at least 6 dm^3^.
    Samples for testing are not subject to customs fees.);

-   Contract to supply the product (or data about the contract), the
    annex to the contract or specifications (or the data about it);

-   Documents confirming the origin, safety, and quality of the product
    (issued by the authorities of the country of origin), manufacturer
    of the product, the certificate of origin or another document
    confirming the origin, quality certificate and/or protocols of
    testing, assay and analysis; for products manufactured serially an
    ISO 9000 certificate of quality;

-   Samples or mockups of the label; and

-   Power of attorney on behalf of the manufacturer to the Russian firm
    to carry out activities to certify their products (for products
    manufactured serially).

All documents, labels, and markings must be translated into the Russian
language, and copies and their translations must be certified in
accordance with established procedures.

Russian regulatory documentation requirements are more rigid for
particular quality indices and safety indices of the alcohol products.
This creates a substantial obstacle to obtaining
sanitary-epidemiological conclusions and certificates of conformity. For
example, the following information is required:

-   Content of methanol, fusel oil, aldehydes, and esters in cognac and
    brandy;

-   Volume of iron in cognac/brandy;

-   Volume of total sulfur dioxide, citric acid, reduced extract in
    wines, in addition to exclusive requirements for the absence of
    sediment (deposits) in wines (crust on the walls of the bottle or on
    the bottom of the bottle is only acceptable in special collection
    wines); and

-   Content of preservatives and microorganisms in beer and other low
    alcohol beverages.

Information about sanitary-epidemiological conclusions and certificates
of conformity obtained is entered into a document attached to the
shipment's customs declaration that is required for alcoholic products
to enter Russian territory. This document also contains information
about excise stamps. When buying and shipping ethyl alcohol (including
denatured alcohol), if a non-consumer packaged product contains alcohol,
and the ethyl alcohol content makes up more than 60 percent of the final
product, one must obtain an additional document. This document contains
the reference to the number of the Russian national technical regulation
or technical specifications with which the product must comply.

As of July 1, 2008, alcohol is subject to the following rates of import
duties: for beer (2203) -- 0.6 euros per liter; for wine (2204) -- 20%
ad valorem; for alcoholic beverages (2208) -- 2 euros per liter of 100%
alcohol equivalent.

## Fish and Seafood 

**(0301, 0302, 0303, 0304, 0305, 0306, 0307)**

The following commodity codes apply for fish and seafood: for live fish,
chilled fish, frozen fish, ground fish: 0301, 0302, 0303, 0304. Code
0305 applies to fish products that are salted, spiced, marinated, cured
by drying, dried, or smoked (cold smoked products and hot smoked
products). For seafood (shellfish, crustaceans, and other animal origin
invertebrates, as well as products resulting from them), the codes are
0306 and 0307.

Not all these products are subject to mandatory certification. Products
having codes 0301, 0302, and 0303 have been withdrawn from the procedure
of mandatory certification. Products with codes 0304 and 0305 are
subject to mandatory certification. Seafood products with codes 0306 and
0307 are not subject to mandatory certification if the product is live,
fresh, chilled, or raw-frozen. If, however, the product is cooked
(boiled) and frozen it is subject to mandatory certification.

Certification of fish, fish products, and seafood requires different
procedures; most frequently Schematic 2 or 3a, less frequently Schematic
7 or 3, are being used in accordance with GOST R to certify such
products. The certificate of conformity in accordance with Schematic 2
is usually issued for the term of 1 year, if the contract, and other
aforementioned documents, are in order.

Regardless of the form of conformity confirmation (certificate of
conformity or declaration of conformity -- the latter document
accompanies the product to be sold with the following codes: 0301, 0302,
0303, 0306, and 0307, for product alive, fresh, chilled, or raw-frozen),
the testing proceeds, with respect to safety indices, using the same
rules and criteria of SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01, as amended.

Importing fish products, as well as products manufactured from the
non-fish hydro-bionts (shellfish, mollusks, and other invertebrates),
requires presenting the following accompanying documents:

-   Invoice and Packing List - The packing list for the invoice should
    contain the product description in the Russian language (name of the
    product and kind of packaging), and the lot volume (net weight and
    gross weight);

-   Contract and specifications to the contract - The specification in
    the Russian language indicates the name of the product, the country
    of origin, the Russian commodity code (TN VED), and the lot volume;

-   Veterinary certificate (in English and Russian, issued by the U.S.
    Department of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service)

Certificate of origin (Russian officials require this document as proof
of the country of origin for all imported food products. It is also used
to determine duties and tariffs).

The most important accompanying documents constitute the first three
items, including the veterinary certificate. Veterinary Certificate
issued by the U.S. government-approved authority must accompany all
imports of fish and seafood products. The Certificate confirms that the
product meets all specified health and sanitary specifications. Fish
products exported from the United States are under the jurisdiction of
the Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
Regional NMFS offices issue health certificates for all U.S. exports of
fish that meet the Russian Federation requirements.

When product is under scrutiny of the Russian veterinary service, the
following documents are reviewed: the certificate of origin, certificate
of health (hygienic health), certificate of conformity, and certificate
of quality from the manufacturer. These documents, if in proper order,
facilitate health inspections.

A label in the Russian language must contain information in accordance
with the requirements of GOST Р 51074 - 2003. Foodstuffs. Information
for Consumers. General requirements, pp. 4-5:

-   Title (name) of the product (commodity name or biological name);

-   Fishery location;

-   Length and weight of fish (large, medium, small);

-   Type of cutting (de-headed, eviscerated, sheet, pieces, etc.);

-   Type of processing (salted, smoked cured by drying, etc.);

-   Level of saltiness (lightly-salted, slightly-salted, medium-salted,
    strongly-salted);

-   Name and location of the manufacturer \[legal address including the
    country, if it is different from the legal address, then the address
    (addresses) of the production facility (facilities)\] and the
    organization in the Russian Federation that is authorized by the
    manufacturer to accept claims from the customers on its territory;

-   Trademark of the manufacturer (if available);

-   Net weight;

-   Nutritional value, vitamin content;

-   Storage conditions;

-   Period of time spent in storage for both live and frozen fish, for
    non-fish fishery subjects;

-   Shelf life (use by date) for the foodstuffs included into the list
    of products adopted by the government of the Russian Federation,
    which are considered to be unfit for being used in accordance with
    the purpose upon completion of the term;

-   Date of manufacture and date of packing \[date, month, year (date,
    month and hour of completion of the technological process for
    special perishable products)\];

-   Composition of the product, including all food additives,
    flavorings, biologically active food additives, ingredients of the
    products having a non-traditional composition;

-   Information about Conformity confirmation (when the certificate of
    Conformity is available);

-   Technique and conditions to manufacture ready to consume dishes (for
    semi-finished products/convenience food);

-   Packed under vacuum (when vacuum packaging is used); and

-   Location of the fishery area, length and weight of fish, type of
    cutting, type of processing, level of saltiness, composition of the
    product, and information on the preparation technique and/or
    consumption is indicated when required.

The following national standards regulate consumer indices of the
products in a particular group:

-   GOST R 51493-99, Frozen cut fish and uncut fish, technical
    specifications;

-   GOST R 51494-99, Frozen fillet of marine fish, technical
    specifications;

-   GOST R 51495-99, Frozen squid, technical specifications;

-   GOST R 51496-99, Frozen raw shrimp, blanched shrimp, and cooked
    shrimp, technical specifications;

-   GOST R 51497-99, Fish, shellfish, and cuttlefish. dimensional
    categories.

Other imported goods from fish and seafood must have quality indices in
accordance with interstate standards accepted in the CIS countries:

-   GOST 1368-91, Fish, all types of processing, length and weight;

-   GOST 24896-81, Live fish, technical specifications;

-   GOST 814-96, Chilled fish, technical specifications;

-   GOST 30314-95, Frozen scallop fillet, technical specifications.

The important safety indices for all fish products and seafood are the
absence of parasites and their larvae, especially those that present
danger for human beings.

During parasitological inspection, samples are checked for presence of
the following groups of ichthyic-parasitological fauna:

-   Parasitological fauna that present a danger to human beings - to get
    a permit to use fish for food purposes, there must be no live
    parasites of certain kinds since they are dangerous only when they
    are alive;

-   Parasitological fauna that change the physical-chemical properties
    of fish -- during inspection, calculating the quantity of parasites
    in this group is not important; the important matter is the level of
    fish tissue damage resulting from this kind of parasite;

-   Parasitological fauna that damage the commodity appearance/aspect of
    the fish material or fish product -- this type of parasite is
    detected visually;

-   To determine whether fish is fit for human consumption, experts
    examine the product for parasitological fauna of muscle tissues;
    when liver, fish eggs, or milt are to be used, the parasites are
    assessed that could localize in these tissues;

-   Special attention is devoted to certain safety indicators;
    inspectors look for the following in shipments of seafood products:

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-   Toxic elements,

-   Pesticides,

-   Polychlorinated biphenyls,

-   Histamines (for the following families: tuna, mackerel, salmon and
    herring),

-   Radionuclides,

-   Microbiological indices, and

-   Absence of parasites.

SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01 and its amendments cite the allowable levels of
potentially dangerous substances and microorganisms in products, and in
some cases specify zero tolerance for certain pathogenic microflora in a
product.

In accordance with GOST R 51493-99, frozen fish (code 0303) may be
manufactured to contain only the food additives ascorbic acid, sodium
ascorbate Е 301, or potassium ascorbate Е 303, not to exceed 1
gram/kilogram of ascorbic acid.

The food additives indicated in the table below are permitted in
manufacturing of frozen fillets:

  ------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
  Name and Code of the Food Additive          Allowable Level in a Food
                                              Product

  Sodium ortho-phosphate 1 -- substituted     10 g/kg (including not more
  Е339 I, potassium ortho-phosphate 1 --      than 5 g/kg of the
  substituted Е 340 i, sodium pyrophosphate Е phosphate added)
  450 iii, potassium pyrophosphate Е 450 v,   recalculated into Р~2~О~5~
  sodium triphosphate 5 -- substituted Е 451  
  i, potassium triphosphate 5 -- substituted  
  Е 451 ii, calcium polyphosphate Е 452 iv,   
  sodium polyphosphate Е 452 i --             
  individually or in combination              

  Sodium alginate                             5 g/kg

  Sodium ascorbate Е 301 or potassium         1 g/kg for ascorbic acid
  ascorbate Е 303                             
  ------------------------------------------- ---------------------------

GOST R national standards, referred to above, have been harmonized with
international standards for similar products. These standards dedicate
special attention to the characteristics of the organoleptic indicators.
For instance, in accordance with the GOST R 51494, the requirements for
importing frozen fillet from ocean and sea fish (0304) emphasize
external appearance, the packing order, cutting, flesh consistency,
flesh color, smell after defrosting, taste and smell after cooking, deep
dehydration/de-watering (not to exceed 10% from the area of the unit
surface or an individual fillet), presence of bones (limiting index),
and presence of alien/foreign admixtures (not allowed).

GOST R 51495-99, Frozen squid, technical specifications (code 0307),
establishes requirements for the quality of the product relating to the
external appearance, cutting, color, and smell (after defrosting), taste
and smell (after cooking/boiling), meat consistency (after defrosting
and cooking/boiling). It also establishes limitations for deep
dehydration and it does not allow alien/foreign admixtures. The net
weight of the glazed squid must be indicated without the glazing weight.
If the product was glazed with seawater the label should contain an
additional annotation, stating, "The product is glazed with sea water."

Quality of live fish (code 0301) is evaluated based on organoleptic
indices, fatness, and liveliness. The fish should be free of disease.

In accordance with GOST R 51496 - 99, raw, blanched, boiled, and frozen
shrimp of certain species are sorted, their shells removed (but
preserving the tail fin, clean shrimp meat, and keeping the neck covered
with shell); GOST describes in detail the requirements for organoleptic
indices, the tolerable level of food additives, including coloring,
Ponseau 4R Е124. Examiners pay close attention to apparent defects, deep
de-hydration, alien admixtures, alien taste and smell, and unnatural
color. Other standards regulating the quality of the frozen fish and
seafood products focus carefully on the characteristics of the texture,
which deteriorates when deep dehydration takes place, which happens in
the absence of glazing. Standards cite methodological descriptions of
how to determine the weight of glazing and to assess the taste and aroma
properties after defrosting and thermal processing.

VPSS establishes rigid control over fish and seafood entering Russia. In
the future these products will be shipped to Russia only from facilities
that Russian veterinary inspectors have approved. VPSS has already
completed inspections of the largest fish and seafood suppliers, such as
China, Chile and Norway. Correspondence between Russia and the U.S.
veterinary authorities on U.S fish and seafood trade with Russia is
under way. VPSS plans to complete its international inspections and
approvals by the end of 2008.

**Live Animals**

Live animals, like other animal-origin products, are subject to state
border veterinary supervision. Export from the United States to Russia
is possible only for live animals for which the two countries have
agreed on a veterinary health certificate.

Customs processing may begin only after VPSS issues the necessary
permission. To clear customs, the shipment is subject to state
veterinary supervision. Veterinary certificates issued by the border
veterinary point must be exchanged for the veterinary certificates from
the supplier's country of origin, and the documents accompanying the
shipment with the original stamp of the border veterinary point, stating
that "release is allowed," and bearing the signature and the personal
stamp of the veterinary officer of the border veterinary point and the
date.

The following shipments must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate,
form N1:

-   All animals (agricultural, domestic, wild, zoo, sea, commercial fur,
    circus, laboratory animals, etc.), and

-   All birds (domestic, wild, ornamental, etc.)

Exporters should also take into consideration the following Resolution
of the Government of the Russian Federation Number, 1410, The
Application of Veterinary Measures on the Import of Live Animals and
Products of Animal Origin:

> To facilitate Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization, the
> Government of the Russian Federation decrees:
>
> 1\. Prior to adopting the documents envisioned by the Federal
> legislation "Technical Regulation" (Legal Code of the Russian
> Federation, 2002, N 52, page 5140; 2005, N 19, page 1752), which
> constitute the regulations establishing mandatory requirements for
> veterinary safety with respect to live animals that are classified in
> commodity positions 0101, 0102, 0103, 0104, 0105, 0106, 0301, 0306,
> 0307 and 9508 of the Commodity Nomenclature of Foreign Economic
> Activity, when such commodities are brought into the territory of the
> Russian Federation, one has to be regulated by the veterinary
> requirements that are in effect in the Russian Federation that do not
> contradict the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World
> Organization of Animal Health (OIE).
>
> 2\. It is established that in a case when the veterinary requirements
> that are in force in the Russian Federation contradict the veterinary
> requirements that are in force in the World Trade Organization, the
> norms of the Code shall apply, the Code being referred to on the first
> page of this resolution.

When brood domestic animals are exported to the Russian Federation,
traders should take into account: Resolution 244 of April 24, 2007,
exempting from value added tax the following commodity line items:

From 0102 Brood cattle

From 0103 Brood swine

From 0104 Brood sheep and goats

This Resolution came into force as of the date of its official
publication and covers legal relations arising as of January 1, 2007.

## Dairy products

**(0404 -- Milk whey, 0405 -- Butter and other fatty products, and
Butter manufactured from milk; 0406 -- Cheeses and curd/cottage
cheese).**

The requirements for the import of dairy are much like the requirements
for the majority of animal origin products. They are subject to state
border veterinary supervision, and customs clearance may start only upon
presentation of the necessary permits, which are issued by VPSS. For
milk products in consumer packaging, a sanitary-epidemiological
conclusion is required. For milk products that are subject to the state
veterinary supervision, a certificate of conformity is only necessary
when the veterinary certificate, issued by the veterinary border
supervision authorities, indicates that it is "for sale without
limitations."

## Grains and Oilseeds 

**(1001 -- 1008 different types of cereals, 1101 -- 1106 flour, groats,
etc., from cereals; 12 -- oilbearing crops and products, including
sunflowerseeds, soybeans, rapeseed, and other oleagenous crops) .**

These products are subject to phytosanitary inspection and require
phytosanitary certificates. The main procedures and requirements are
described in Paragraph "General Requirements for Products of Plant
Origin" in section VI of this report.

Some grain products require Rospotrebnadzor's sanitary-epidemiological
conclusion. For example, this conclusion is required for the grains from
gramineous plants, which are used for food, or food products
manufacturing, not for kernels, because they are not separated from ears
and stalks. Sanitary-epidemiological conclusion is also necessary for
importing rapeseed (or canola), both crushed and non-crushed, used for
food purposes or for manufacturing food products, and seeds and fruit of
other oil-bearing crops, crushed or non-crushed, that are used for food
purposes or for manufacturing food products.

VPSS issues certificates of quality for grain and processed grain
products for export and import. These certificates may be obtained also
in independent commercial agencies accredited by the VPSS. However, none
of these independent agencies has been accredited by VPSS so far. The
grains and seeds of oilbearing crops must have a phytosanitary
certificate from the exporting country's authorities; the phytosanitary
regulation is spelled out in the Nomenclature of Products Subject to the
Quarantine Phytosanitary Control, in effect as of January 1, 2007, and
the Order of April 4, 2006, 3 61, "Temporary Procedure for Issuing
Quarantine Import Permissions to Import."

VPSS has placed a ban on importing seed corn for planting from the
United States, demanding phytosanitary data that are not required by
international standards. Corn-grain imports are permitted if the corn is
used for feed

## Nuts 

**(including 0802 almonds and 1202 peanuts)**

These products are subject to phytosanitary inspection. Permission to
bring nuts into the Russian Federation is based only on decision of
VPSS. The Government of the Russian Federation decided to waive duties
temporarily on the import of peanuts in the shell, almonds, hazelnuts in
the shell, and sesame seeds, as of February 26, 2007. Before this
decision, the import duty for these types of nuts was 5 percent. This
decision was based on rising prices for these particular types of nuts
on the global market, because they were negatively affecting the
developing confectionary industry in Russia. It is worth noting that
Brazilian peanuts and American nuts and chestnuts have reportedly been
discovered to contain higher than expected aflatoxin levels.

## Fresh Fruit 

**(including 0805 citrus; 0806 grapes; 0808 apples & pears, 0809 stone
fruit)**

Fresh fruits must be accompanied by a sanitary-epidemiological
conclusion. These products are subject to phytosanitary inspection. As
is the case with nut imports, the Russian Federation only allows fruits
to enter the country with permission from VPSS. A product certificate,
issued by the appropriate Russian certification establishment, is
required for customs clearance. To obtain a product certificate, the
following documents are also necessary:

-   Signed contract and transportation documents

-   Certificate of origin

-   Phytosanitary certificate from the exporter

-   Quality certificate

-   Importer's license

-   Certificate of Conformity

## Fresh Vegetables 

**(0701 potatoes; 0702 tomatoes; 0703 onions; and 0706 carrots)**

The requirements for the import of fresh vegetables to the Russian
Federation are characteristic for other products of plant origin. Like
nuts and fresh fruits, fresh vegetables must be accompanied by a
sanitary-epidemiological conclusion. These products are subject to
phytosanitary inspection. It is possible to import fresh vegetables only
with permission of VPSS.

VPSS has imposed a *de facto* ban on imports of fresh potatoes from the
United States.

## Frozen or Processed Vegetables 

**(0710 frozen; 0711 preserved; 0712 dried, 0713 leguminous dried)**

Products must be accompanied by a sanitary-epidemiological conclusion.
For 07013 - leguminous dried, de-shelled, cleared from the seed skin,
chipped or non-chipped -- products are subject to phytosanitary
inspection. It is possible to import these products only with advance
permission of VPSS.

## Grocery Products 

**General Requirements**

-   **1806 -- Chocolate and other prepared foodstuffs containing cocoa**
    -- require sanitary-epidemiological conclusions.

-   **1904 -- Ready food products resulting from popping or frying of
    kernels of grain (e.g., corn flakes); grain crops (except for corn)
    as kernels or as flakes or grains processed by a different technique
    (except for fine and coarse flour or meal) that have been advance
    cooked/boiled or prepared by any other technique.** -- requires a
    Quality Certificate from VPSS; goods are subject to state
    supervision and inspection by VPSS regarding quality when entering
    Russia.

-   **2103 -- Products involving sauces and ready-to-use sauces; taste
    additives and mixed spices; mustard powder and ready-to-use mustard.
    --** require basic certificate, as well as a
    sanitary-epidemiological conclusion, except for "Spices and taste
    additive-concentrates". Letter from the Federal Customs Service of
    the Russian Federation N 06-73/44906 of December 19, 2006.

-   **1902 -- Pasta items, whether or not heat treated, with or without
    fillings (of meat or other products), or prepared using a different
    technique, such as spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, pasta elbows,
    dumplings, ravioli, cannelloni; couscous ready to eat or not ready
    to eat. --** require sanitary-epidemiological conclusion,
    phytosanitary certificate; certificates are required for quality of
    flour, bread, and pasta items imported into the territory of the
    Russian Federation, issued by the federal public health authorities
    -- the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology of the Rospotrebnadzor;
    Letter from the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation N
    06-73/30396 of August 31, 2006.

## Typical Errors When Supplying Foodstuffs to Russia 

Listed below are the most common reasons for prohibiting or suspending
suppliers' imports of foodstuffs to Russia:

-   Absence of the sanitary-epidemiological conclusion for the products
    (55.4%);

-   Absence (non-conformity) of labeling (41.0%);

-   Non-conformity with sanitary-hygienic requirements (2.4%); and

-   Non-conformity with transportation terms and conditions (1.2%).

Sometimes imports are detained because importers (legal entities,
individual entrepreneurs) do not request official information from the
producer about the safety of the product, including the use of
pesticides. The contracts signed to supply the food products do not
spell out the issues relating to labels in the Russian language; and
return of potentially dangerous products to the supplier is not covered,
either. Other problems include price discrepancies, documentary
discrepancies (e.g., wrong health certificate, different products
described in bill of lading and health certificate), supplying meat
products from uncertified (unapproved) facilities, and failure to pay
fees.

Exporters should be prepared for requests for the following documents
from importers:

-   For food materials of plant origin - information about the
    pesticides used when growing the plants, fumigation of the premises,
    and tare for storing the products, methods of pest control, etc.;

-   For food materials of animal origin -- information about the use of
    pesticides indicating the name of the pesticide and the pesticide
    expiration date; and

-   Documents confirming the quality and safety of products for human
    consumption.

# Appendix I. Government Regulatory Agency Contacts

Federal Service for Technical Regulation and Metrology (formerly
Gosstandart)

Moscow, Leninskiy Prospekt, 9

Tel: 011 7 (495) 230-1320

Tel: 011 7 (495) 237-5468, fax: 011 7 (495) 237-6231

<http://www.gost.ru/wps/portal/>

Federal Service for Protection of Consumer Rights and Human Well-Being
(Rospotrebnadzor)

Moscow, Vadkovskiy per. 18/20

Tel: 011 7 (495) 973-2748, fax. 011 7 (495) 200-0212, 258-4497

Tel: 011 7 (495) 973-2748, fax 011 7 (495) 200-0212

Tel: 011 7 (495) 973-2666, 973-1803, 973-2674, fax 011 7 (495) 258-4497

Certification Center Tel: 011 7 (495) 973-1571, 973-1976, 973-2710

<http://www.rospotrebnadzor.ru/>

Russian State Agricultural Research Institute of Control,
Standardization, and Certification of Veterinary Substances

Moscow, Zvenigorodskoye Shosse 5

tel. 011 7 (495) 253-1491, 253-1472, 256-0381

Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance

Orlikov per., 1/11

107139 Moscow

Russian Federation

Tel. 011 7 (495) 975-4347, fax 011 7 (495) 207-5111

[http://www.fsvps.ru](http://www.fsvps.ru/)

## Certification bodies: 

VNIIS -- issues certificates of conformity

All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute for Certification (VNIIS)

Electricheskiy per. 3

Moscow

tel. 011 7 (495) 253-3580, fax 911 7 (495) 253-3360

ROSTEST-- all procedures for quality control and safety control

"Rostest - Moskva", Russian Center for Test and Certification,
GOSSTANDART

Nakhimovsky prospect, 31

117418 Moscow

tel. 011 7 (495) 129-3200, fax 011 7 (495) 124-9966

REA-TEST

Stremyanniy per., 36

Moscow

tel. 011 7 (495) 958-2939

PRODEKOTEST

Kozhevnicheskaya ul., 1а

Moscow

tel. 011 7 (495) 235-7390

# Appendix II. Other Import Specialist Contacts

Russian Federation web sites include:

Ministry of Health:
<http://www.government.ru/institutions/ministries/details.html?he_id=143>

Ministry of Economic Development: <http://www.economy.gov.ru/wps/portal>

Federal Customs Service of Russia: <http://www.customs.ru/en/>

# Appendix III. Selected Relevant GAIN Reports

These reports are accessible via the search engine at this URL:

<http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/AttacheRep/attache_lout.asp>

## General

RS8053 Amendments and Additions to SanPiN on Food Additives

RS7069 FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

RS6067 Russia Changes Customs Code

RS6015 Consumer Information About Goods

## Biotechnology

RS8051 Adventitious Presence of Biotech Components in Feeds

RS7078 Registration Procedure for GMO Feeds

RS7077 Federal Law Sets Biotech Labeling Threshold at 0.9 Percent

RS7053 Russia Establishes 0.9% Threshold for Biotech Labeling

RS7052 Biotechnology Annual Report 2007

RS7028 Russian Sanitary Inspectors Strengthen Control Over Biotech Food

RS7023 \"GMO-Free\" Labeling of Food Products in Moscow

## Livestock

RS8050 Chlorine Use in Poultry Production Banned

RS8049 Frozen Poultry for Further Processing To Be Banned

RS7041 Russia Increases Import Quota for Pork

RS7039 Russia Distributed All Meat and Poultry TRQs

RS7031 Russia Lifts BSE Ban From Canada

RS7029 VPSS Solicits Public Comment on Draft Import Permit Regulation

RS7008 Russia Lowers Out-of-Quota Import Duties on Beef

RS6058 Russia Exempts VAT on Pedigree Livestock

## Plant Products

RS8038 Oilseeds Annual 2008

RS8024 Grain and Feeds Annual 2008

RS7015 Seasonal Import Tariffs on Rice and Rice Products

RS7011 List of Products that Require Quarantine and Phytosanitary
Certificates

RS7007 Seasonal Decrease in Import Tariffs for Cabbage, Carrots, and
Table Beets

RS6045 Import Duties on Half Processed Vegetable Fats, Oils and
Margarine

## Wine and Spirits

RS7323 Wine FAIRS Product Specific

RS7310 Wine and spirits: New bank guarantee requirement limits import
growth

RS7304 Russian wine and spirits regulations updated

RS7301 New health label required for wine and spirits

[^1]: This requirement is not mandatory for products manufactured
    abroad.

[^2]: Please see also GAIN Report RS7053 "Russia Establishes 0.9 percent
    Threshold for Biotech Labeling".

[^3]: Please note that there are also product-specific requirements.

[^4]: For details see GAIN Report RS7011 *List of Products that Require
    Quarantine and Phytosanitary Certificates*

[^5]: These documents must include a contract between the buyer and the
    supplier, a consignment layout showing how the transportation
    vehicle was loaded (e.g., on pallets), and an export declaration
    showing the value of the consignment.

[^6]: These items are copies of the following documents with the stamp
    of the applicant.

[^7]: Also called, in Russian, Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the
    Russian Federation. The Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the
    Russian Federation is the Head of the Federal Service for Protection
    of Consumer Rights and Human Well-Being (Rospotrebnadzor).

[^8]: A method used in Russia, whereby information transferred by
    telephone is documented in writing, so that it may be confirmed
    later.