Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 7/31/2007

**GAIN Report Number:** RS7061

RS7061

**Russian Federation**

**FAIRS Country Report**

**Annual**

**2007**

**Approved by:**

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

U.S. Embassy

**Prepared by:**

Institute for Agrarian Market Research and OAA staff

**Report Highlights:**

This report is an overview of both general and commodity-specific
requirements of Russian Federation government agencies for imported
foodstuffs. Significant changes to foodstuff regulations and
requirements have been implemented since the last report, including
increased food safety regulations and higher labeling standards included
for products containing genetically modified components, a new
classification nomenclature, new requirements for the confirmation of
conformity, which call for some types of products to have a declaration
of conformity, while others require a certificate of conformity, and
increased control over products entering Russian territory from third
countries. Most sections have been updated since the previous report.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Annual Report

Moscow \[RS1\]

\[RS\]

#  

[Executive Summary 4](#executive-summary)

[Section I. Food Laws 4](#section-i.-food-laws)

[Introduction 4](#introduction)

[Russia's State Bodies Regulating Imported Foodstuffs
5](#russias-state-bodies-regulating-imported-foodstuffs)

[Recent Changes 6](#recent-changes)

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

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

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

[Section V. Pesticides and Other Contaminants
9](#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)

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

[Section VIII. Copyright and/or Trademark Laws
12](#section-viii.-copyright-andor-trademark-laws)

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

[Overview 12](#overview)

[Import Operations for Products from Animal Origin
12](#import-operations-for-products-from-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 14](#transport-documents)

[Customs Payments 14](#customs-payments)

[Additional Data 14](#additional-data)

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

[Meat and Poultry 15](#meat-and-poultry)

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

[Poultry 15](#poultry)

[Pork 15](#pork)

[Beef 15](#beef)

[Information for Consumers (Labels)
15](#information-for-consumers-labels)

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

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

[Import Quotas 16](#import-quotas)

[Products Permitted/Prohibited for Supplies
17](#products-permittedprohibited-for-supplies)

[Importation Procedures 18](#importation-procedures)

[Veterinary Certificates 18](#veterinary-certificates)

[Other Documents 19](#other-documents)

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

[Alcoholic Products 20](#alcoholic-products)

[Information Requirements 21](#information-requirements)

[Safety and Quality 22](#safety-and-quality)

[Fish and Seafood 23](#fish-and-seafood)

[Dairy products 28](#dairy-products)

[Grains and Oilseeds 28](#grains-and-oilseeds)

[Nuts 29](#nuts)

[Fresh Fruit 29](#fresh-fruit)

[Fresh Vegetables 29](#fresh-vegetables)

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

[Grocery Products 30](#grocery-products)

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

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

[Certification bodies: 31](#certification-bodies)

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

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

[General 32](#general)

[Biotechnology 32](#biotechnology)

[Livestock 32](#livestock)

[Plant Products 32](#plant-products)

[Wine and Spirits 32](#wine-and-spirits)

#   {#section-1 .unnumbered}

# Executive Summary

This report was prepared by the Office of Agricultural Affairs of the
USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service in Moscow, Russia for U.S. exporters
of domestic food and agricultural products. While every possible care
was taken in the preparation of 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. It is highly recommended that U.S. exporters
verify the full set of import requirements with their foreign customers,
who are normally best equipped to research such matters with local
authorities, before any goods are shipped. 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. Significant changes to foodstuff regulations and
requirements have been implemented since the last report, including
increased food safety regulations and higher labeling standards included
for products containing genetically modified components, a new
classification nomenclature, new requirements for the confirmation of
conformity, which call for some types of products to have a declaration
of conformity, while others require a certificate of conformity, and
increased control over products entering Russian territory from third
countries.

Despite Russia's ongoing preparation 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 juridical entities that are officially
registered on 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").

It is important to acquire such documents as the Sanitary and
Epidemiological Conclusion and the Certificate of Conformity. The latter
document will be issued after other required certificates and documents
have been 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 the national standards relating
not only to food safety, but also to consumer quality indices.

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

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

1.  THE 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, November
    2, December 21, 2004)

2.  THE FEDERAL LAW № 29-FZ ON QUALITY AND SAFETY OF FOOD PRODUCTS (with
    the Amendments and Additions of December 30, 2001, January 10, June
    30, 2003, August 22, 2004, May 9, December 5, 31, 2005, March 31,
    2006)

3.  THE FEDERAL LAW № 52-FZ ON SANITARY AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL WELL-BEING
    OF THE POPULATION (as amended on December 30, 2001, January 10,
    2004, June 30, 2003, September 22, 2004, May 09, 2005, December 31,
    2005)

4.  THE 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.  THE FEDERAL LAW ON STATE REGULATIONS ON THE PRODUCTION AND HANDLING
    OF ETHYL ALCOHOL, SPIRITS, AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING ALCOHOL No.
    171-FZ of November 22, 1995 as amended by the Federal Law of
    December 29, 2006 (No. 248-FZ)

6.  THE FEDERAL LAW ON TECHNICAL REGULATION No 184-FZ of December 27,
    2002 as amended by the Federal Law of May 1, 2007 (No 65-FZ)

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

1.  HYGIENIC REQUIREMENTS FOR FOODSTUFF SAFETY AND NUTRITION (in force
    as of July 1, 2002 as SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01) with several recent
    additions and changes. The latest change establishes the 0.9 percent
    threshold level for biotech components in food products requiring
    labeling.

2.  GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDING CONSUMER INFORMATION REGARDING
    FOODSTUFFS (GOST P 51074-2003)

3.  HYGIENIC REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOD ADDITIVES (SanPiN 2.3.2.1293-03)

## Russia's State Bodies Regulating Imported Foodstuffs 

**The Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service**
(Russian abbreviation **Rosselkhoznadzor**, commonly referred to in the
West as **VPSS**) monitors veterinary and phytosanitary conditions and
enforces Russian legal requirements regarding conformity with veterinary
and plant health. Its authority extends both to the Russian Federation's
borders (including state border-crossing checkpoints) and transportation
within the Russian Federation. 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 considered to pose danger under
sanitary and phytosanitary standards that fall under VPSS's
jurisdiction.

The Federal Service for Protection of Consumer Rights and Human
Well-Being **(Rospotrebnadzor)** of the Ministry of Health and Social
Development is responsible for food and foodstuff safety.
Rospotrebnadzor may prohibit 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 of the
Ministry of Industry and Energy of the Russian Federation
**(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.
Customs control is carried out at three levels: the Federal Customs
Service of Russia, the regional (provincial) departments of Customs, and
the Customs House and Customs Post.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade **(MEDT)** regulates
non-tariff external economic activity including licensing and quoting.

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

## Recent Changes

As part of Russia's effort to accede to the World Trade Organization
(WTO), the Russian Federation 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.
This law was amended by the Federal Law No 65 FZ of May 1, 2006. The 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 the priorities.

The latest changes in GOSTs and in other voluntary and mandatory branch
norms are described in the commodity sections of this report. Most of
changes are being made to bring Russian norms closer to international
standards. Thus, the Russian government adopted a resolution on March
24, 2006, No. 159, under which the Russian veterinary service (VPSS) has
authority to apply international standards to evaluation of the safety
of imports of live animals and certain products of animal origin in the
event that Russian regulations diverge from international standards.

**Principal Requirements for Food Safety**

General requirements are provided in detail in the Hygienic Requirements
for Foodstuff Safety and Nutritional Value (SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01, as
amended by several recent SanPiNs). SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01 forms the
regulatory basis for activity of all persons and organizations involved
in foodstuff production, importation, and distribution; and
organizations engaged in retail and public catering. SanPiN
2.3.2.1078-01 also 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

On July 1, 2005, General Requirements for Consumer Information regarding
Foodstuffs, GOST Р 51074-2003, came into effect. This standard took into
consideration the Codex Alimentarius International Food-Packaging
standards \[Codex Stan 1-1985 (Rev.1-1991)\]. Among other things, GOST Р
51074-2003 governs pre-packaged foods sold either in retail or wholesale
markets, and are supplied to public catering facilities, schools,
children's facilities, therapeutic facilities, or 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 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 during the manufacturing of the product;

-   food products that are genetically modified, obtained from
    genetically modified sources or contain components from genetically
    modified sources.

For products containing genetically modified components, information
must be provided when the composition of the genetically modified
components exceeds the standard amount established by regulation. The
information on the label must read: 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 is allowed to list the basic mineral substances and
vitamins inherent in the product without indicating their quantity.
Listing a recommended daily allowance, in accordance with the
established procedure, is required.

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 more than 5 percent of the daily recommend allowance of minerals or
vitamins is included in a 100-gram serving. GOST Р 51074-2003 covers all
special requirements for nutrition value labeling. GOST P 51074-2003 was
designed to take international standards into consideration 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: meat and meat products;
poultry meat; eggs and processed egg products; milk, milk products, and
products containing milk; fish, non-fish fishery products, and products
manufactured from fish; canned products; preserves from fish and
seafood; wine products; products manufactured by the beer and
non-alcoholic beer industry; malt beverages; beverages manufactured with
grain as a raw material; and 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 during the trading process. 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. The permitted size, shape, and material of
transport containers are established by GOST Р ISO 3394-99.

A number of products being imported into Russia must meet packaging
requirements specific to their product type. Packaged grains, for
example, must be packaged in air-permeable materials as stated in the
Ministry of Agriculture's Order № 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 and paper boxes, plastic and polymer packets,
bottles and 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 5067 on "Guidelines for
regulating wood packing material in international trade".

Some products are affected by air, water, and steam. Therefore, the
permeability of the packaging material to gas, steam, water, fats, and
odors is an important requirement. For instance, it is necessary for
chilled meat to be packaged in material with low-vapor permeability in
order to prevent the loss of moisture and 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 (carcinogenicity,
mutagenicity, allergenicity, etc.), change organoleptic or nutritional
qualities of the foodstuffs, or 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. Foodstuffs and
food additives that are used for production and applied in accordance
with the Technological Instruction Manual are regulated by Appendix 3,
Section 3.1 of SanPiN-2.3.2.1293-03. The same document lists foodstuffs
that have more stringent regulations if food additives are used (e.g.,
baby food).

Food additives prohibited in foodstuff manufacturing include:

  -------------- --------------------------------- -----------------------
  **Code**       **Name of the food additives**    **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 not complete. Since 2005, Rospotrebnadzor has also
prohibited importing foodstuffs if preservatives Е216 and Е217 were used
during production.

## 

# Section V. Pesticides and Other Contaminants

Russia enforces its own permissible content levels for pesticides and
contaminants that are applied to domestic and imported products. These
levels are published in several official documents including SanPiN
2.3.2.1078-01, which specifies permissible content levels by product
groups. Additionally, SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01 specifies 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 use of
officially registered pesticides. The Ministry of Agriculture also
publishes standards annually 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. Detailed requirements are
included in the appropriate sections of this report.

## General Requirements for Products of Plant Origin 

Three international documents form the basis for 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.

All imports of plants and products of plant origin are subject to
phytosanitary regulation. The main requirements are stated in the
Federal Legislation on Plant Quarantine (July 15, 2000) and in the
Ministry of Agriculture's Order № 681 (September 3, 2002) on plant
quarantine while importing, storing, transporting, and using grain and
grain products that are imported into Russia for food, feed, and
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 List of Pests, Plant Diseases, and Weeds
with Quarantine Issues
(http://www.mcx.ru/index.html?he_id=484&doc_id=3252), and the
Commodities Nomenclature Subject to Quarantine Phytosanitary Control[^4]

(http://www.mcx.ru/images/download.html?pi_id=4481). The List of Pests,
Plant diseases, and Weeds with Quarantine Issue consists of 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, a Commodities Nomenclature Subject to
Quarantine Phytosanitary Control was enacted on January 1, 2007. The
nomenclature 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. These goods are subject to sanitary-epidemiological
certification or registration with Rospotrebnadzor. However, Russia
diverges from international practice by requiring phytosanitary
certificates for many products not conventionally subject to such
certification, and in some cases for products over which no U.S.
Government agency has phytosanitary certification authority (e.g.,
roasted coffee beans in large bags).

Trade is also regulated by several Ministry of Agriculture guidelines,
such as:

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

-   Order № 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 220 (August 3, 2005).

One of the latest documents is Ministry of Agriculture Order N 163 of
March 14, 2007, "On Organizing Activities To Issue Phytosanitary And
Quarantine Certificates"
(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
origins, transport containers and packaging, soil or other organisms, or
objects or materials that may carry hazardous organisms or facilitate
spreading of 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 been approved to
review applications and issue and 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 it is issued. Imports must cross
the Russian Federation border during this time. A procedure to reissue
expired certificates has also been adopted.

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 to be assigned
a registration number. Certificates without a registration number are
invalid. Certificates will be distributed within 3 working days of the
approval or rejection decision.

A list of documents required to obtain a certificate was established and
an application format was approved. As described in the quarantine
regulations, a quarantine certificate is necessary for each lot of the
product brought into or transported through the Russian Federation
territory.

The Phytosanitary and Quarantine certificates and permits can be issued
by VPSS only in the name of physical or legal entity registered on the
territory of the Russian Federation with the Russian tax authorities.

If a quarantined organism is detected during a quarantine inspection at
a border checkpoint, the authorities have the right to return the
consignment to the exporter or decontaminate the consignment. If
decontamination is not possible, the authorities may dispose of the
consignment 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 genetically modified sources. 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 genetically modified sources. The
threshold was previously set at 5.0 percent. This regulation will come
into effect September 1, 2007. Russia currently allows 13 kinds of
genetically modified sources, 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 RS-7052 "Biotechnology
Annual 2007" and GAIN report RS 7053).

# Section VII. Other Specific Standards

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

2\. The Sanitary Rules and Regulations (SanPiN) are de facto standards,
though not formally classified as such. They are not available on line,
but only in hard copy.

3\. Other rules may be promulgated from time to time by relevant federal
agencies and services, particularly VPSS and Rospotrebnadzor (e.g., the
GMO content threshold). As these are ad hoc, it is incumbent on traders
to monitor closely announcements of new rules that serve as de facto
standards.

# Section VIII. Copyright and/or Trademark Laws

Trademark and intellectual property laws are based on the Russian
Federation Law № 3520-I (September 23, 1992), which governs trademarks,
servicemarks and geographic appellations.

The law was amended December 11, 2002, by passage of Federal Law № 166.
These amendments were made to assist with Russia's integration into the
global economy and Russia's accession to the WTO. The legislation was
designed to provide better protection of 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 to file cases over the illegal use of trademarks.
These new procedures help ensure applicants' rights are observed. 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 and their descriptions can be found at
<http://tks.ru/db/tnved>. These codes are close, but not identical, to
the US Customs' Harmonized Code Numbers.

### Import Operations for Products from Animal Origin 

When a consignment reaches the Russian border, the importer must provide
customs operators with a bank document proving that a deposit covering
the assigned duties and taxes has been made. Before a bank can provide
documents for customs clearance, the importer must provide proof of
business registration, a contract with a supplier, and veterinary
documents permitting imports. Each lot of a product must also have a
domestic veterinary certificate (form № 2) from the veterinary service
at the border, which can be obtained by the importer providing the
following:

> 1\. delivery contracts, bill of lading, invoice, packing list, and
> customs declaration[^5];
>
> 2\. veterinary certificates;
>
> 3\. U.S. veterinary health certificate;
>
> 4\. safety certificate;
>
> 5\. certificate of conformity; and
>
> 6\. certificate of origin.

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

1.  completed application including:

    a.  application form stamped by the applicant for conduct of
        inspection of the product being applied for;

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

    c.  and 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.  ![](media/image2.png){width="1.96875in"
    height="2.7083333333333335in"}consumer label, draft of consumer
    label, or data to be included on consumer labels;

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

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

There must be one set of documents submitted. Documents in a foreign
language must be translated into Russian.

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

The application is submitted to the certification body with the
following items attached[^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 product of plant origin);

-   veterinary certificate from the country of origin; and

-   import permit from VPSS to import the meat product.

The list of the 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 Economic
Development and Trade.

### Transport Documents

Transport documents are the standard documents required by any national
importer.

### Customs Payments

Customs clearance usually takes place 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 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, which is determined by customs authorities.

The Russian Customs Tariff and Tax Code should be used to calculate
customs duties and fees. The Russian Federation Government published
resolution 718 of November 27, 2006, which specified new customs tariff
rates. Russia's Customs Tariff is a code of import duty rates that
corresponds with Russia's Commodities' Nomenclature. Customs duties,
fees, and payments are charged based on rates from the customs value of
the good and are assigned while developing the consignment's customs
declaration.

Tariff rates are subject to change, and thus it is incumbent on
importers and exporters to monitor amendments to the tariff schedule.

### 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.

### Special Requirements for Importing Individual Commodity Groups 

#### Meat and Poultry

Products resulting from meat processing intended for export to Russia
must comply with Russian and USDA standards. Meat must come from
inspected and approved facilities. These facilities are listed on the
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service's Export Library website
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations\_&\_Policies/export_information/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, facilities are included in an official list of approved
facilities. Facilities must pay all inspection costs. The requirements
for facilities are stated in the U.S.-Russia Criteria for Processing and
Refrigeration Facilities Exporting Poultry to the Russian Federation. 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. For a
current list of approved facilities and updates, please see
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations\_&\_Policies/export_information/index.asp

#### Pork

Inspectors from VPSS must examine all facilities that process or store
raw pork intended for export to Russia. After inspection and approval,
facilities are included in 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
the approved facilities, please contact FSIS's Technical Service Center,
Export Division at (402) 221-7400. For a current list of approved
facilities and updates, please
seehttp://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations\_&\_Policies/export_information/index.asp

#### Beef

Inspectors from VPSS must examine all facilities that process or store
raw beef intended for export to Russia. After inspection and approval,
facilities are included in 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
the approved facilities, please contact FSIS's Technical Service Center,
Export Division at (402) 221-7400. At this time (July 2007) no U.S.
facilities have been approved for export of beef to Russia. When
facilities are approved for export, they will be listed in the FSIS
Export Library at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations\_&\_Policies/export_information/index.asp

## Information for Consumers (Labels) 

In addition to general requirements, 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);

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

-   for consumer-ready canned products and poultry, recommendations for
    the product's final preparation must be given.

## Food Additive Content Requirements 

The following food additives are regulated by specific product
standards:

-   sodium nitrite (sodium nitrite is not used in Russia's food
    industry) in ready-to-eat sausages and products from meat which
    include nitrites may not exceed 0.005 percent and raw smoked
    products may not exceed 0.003 percent; and

-   phosphates are not to exceed 1.0 percent when re-calculated into
    Р~2~О~5~, including introduced phosphorus; cooked sausage items may
    not exceed 0.5 percent.

For the rest of the permitted food additives, the general requirements
are applied as stipulated in federal standards (GOST and SanPiN).

## 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, the tetracycline group, Grysin,
    Bacitracin),

-   pesticides (hexachlorocyclohexane -- alpha, beta and gamma isomers)
    and DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and its metabolites, and

-   radionuclides (cesium, strontium).

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

## 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 RS-5084 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.

## Products Permitted/Prohibited for Supplies 

Permitted products include:

-   poultry meat and products from poultry meat including ground poultry
    meat delivered in bulk;

-   pork and pork products;

-   horse meat;

-   and baby food containing beef imported from Australia or New
    Zealand.

Prohibited products include:

-   beef and beef products, bison and bison products[^7];

-   ground red meat, packaged in bulk form or in the form of meat
    patties;

-   products from lamb, mutton, and goat meat[^8];

-   consumer size packages of ground poultry, mechanically deboned
    poultry, and giblets;

-   meat and poultry imported to the U.S. from a third country;

-   beef products from animals raised in a country where cases of
    vesicular stomatitis have been registered in cattle in the past 12
    months;

-   horsemeat manufactured at a facilities in the State of Texas; and

-   poultry meat from states under ban within the framework of the
    coordinated response to avian influenza (please check the FSIS
    website for up-to-date information).

The list of prohibited 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 quotas
for the import of fresh, chilled, and frozen beef, pork, poultry, and
poultry offal, to bring a product into the Russian Federation it is
necessary to secure a license from the Ministry of Economic Development
and Trade (MEDT).

MEDT reviews applications for such a license within 5 days of
submission, and then issues the licenses. The Ministry evaluates 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. There is a fine for importers operating unlicensed, or
importing in excess of their approved volumes.

VPSS must then grant an import permit, which the importer must request
by letter from the local veterinary establishment for their intended
meat imports. The local veterinary establishments send the requests to
the central authorities of VPSS. Once granted, permission is sent to the
border by telephonogram[^9], 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 importing 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, pp. 11-12, 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 from the United States require an Export
Certificate of Health. 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.

-   Pork -- input material, including bacon and pork for retail sale -
    FSIS Form 9450-3 --- Veterinary Certificate for Pork Meat Exported
    to the Russian Federation.

-   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

-   Beef - FSIS Form 9450-5 --- Veterinary Certificate for Beef Meat
    Exported into the Russian Federation

-   Prepared meat and prepared poultry - FSIS Form 9450-7 --- 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 (required not 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 landing, for vehicle transportation -
    CMR).

### Certification of Meat and Meat 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;

-   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, the 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

-   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 on State Regulation of Production and Handling of
    Ethyl Alcohol, Alcohol Products, and Alcohol Containing Products (as
    amended as of December 31, 2006);

-   Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation of December
    31, 2005, № 866, Labeling Alcohol Products with Excise Stamps;

-   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 not 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),

-   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
    the must in 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 genetically
    modified organisms

-   Content if substances that are hazardous for the 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.

-   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.

A substantial obstacle to obtaining sanitary-epidemiological conclusions
and certificates of conformity often turns to be the more rigid
requirements of the Russian regulatory documents for particular quality
indices and safety indices of the alcohol products.

-   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);

-   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, 2007, 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 the 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)

-   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:

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   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.

It is allowed to manufacture frozen fillets with the food additives
indicated in the table below:

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

  Sodium orto-phosphate 1 -- substituted Е339 10 g/kg (including not more
  I, potassium orto-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 by 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, liveliness - the fish should be free from diseases.

In accordance with GOST R 51496 - 99, raw, blanched, boiled, and frozen
shrimp of certain kinds 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.

The net weight if packed goods constitutes a norm index as well. The
allowed deviations from a net weight norms are registered in the GOST 8.
579-2002 Requirements of the quantity of packed goods, packaging,
selling and importing.

In the future, VPSS plans to establish rigid control over fish and
seafood entering Russia. These products will be shipped to Russia only
from facilities that Russian veterinary inspectors have approved. A
similar procedure is already under way with respect to meat-processing
facilities. VPSS plans to complete its first round of international
inspection and approval activities by Autumn 2007.

**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 the 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.)

-   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,
> the following Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation
> should be taken into account: Resolution 244 of April 24, 2007,
> approving the list of codes in conformity with the Commodity
> Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activity of the Russian Federation
> whose importation to the territory of the Russian Federation from
> January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008, inclusive, is exempted from the
> value added tax.
>
> From 0102 Brood cattle
>
> From 0103 Brood swine
>
> From 0104 Brood sheep and goats

This Resolution comes 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 in 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 12 -- oilbearing crops and products, including
sunflowerseeds, soybeans, rapeseeds, and other oilbearing 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 04, 2006, 3 61, "Temporary Procedure for Issuing
Quarantine Import Permissions to Import."

VPSS has placed a de facto ban on importation of corn from the United
States based on a demand for phytosanitary data that is not a
requirement under international standards. In September 2007 VPSS
imposed a ban on imports of rice from the United States.

## 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 the decision of
the 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, as it is demanding information on disease incidence that
does not conform to international phytosanitary standards.

## 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 permission
of VPSS.

## Grocery Products 

General Requirements

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

-   **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
    sanitary-epidemiological conclusion and phytosanitary certificate;
    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%)

-   Non-Conformity with transportation terms and conditions (1.2%)

-   Sometimes the 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, supplying meat
    products from uncertified (unapproved) facilities, failure to pay
    fees, etc.

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.

-   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

[www.gsen.ru](http://www.gsen.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.mcx.ru](http://www.mcx.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 and Trade:
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

RS6067 Russia Changes Customs Code

RS6015 Consumer Information About Goods

## Biotechnology

RS7053 Russia Establishes 0.9% Threshold for Biotech Labeling

RS7028 Russian Sanitary Inspectors Strengthen Control Over Biotech Food

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

RS6039 New Resolution Transfers GMO Feed Registration Duties to VPSS

RS6038 Annual Agricultural Biotechnology Report

## Livestock

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

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 RS-7053 "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 RS 7011 "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 has been 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]: Beef and beef products and bison meat and bison meat products are
    currently ineligible. However, deboned beef, bone-in beef, and beef
    byproducts derived from cattle under 30 months of age will be
    eligible from production establishments and cold storages that are
    approved after joint U.S.-Russia on-site inspection. 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 the following website:
    http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/arc/bev.htm. Production establishments
    interested in export of beef to Russia should contact AMS. AMS will
    maintain a list of establishments that comply with the additional
    requirements identified above on the EV program website. Cold
    storage establishments interested in export of beef to Russia should
    notify the U.S. Meat Export Federation (MEF) of their interest.
    USDA, in conjunction with MEF, will use the production plant and
    cold storage lists to develop a schedule of on-site plant
    inspections by Russian officials. Establishments seeking approval to
    export to Russia should contact AMS or MEF by December 8, 2006.

[^8]: Fully cooked, canned baby food containing lamb is eligible for
    export to Russia.

[^9]: A method used in Russia, whereby information transferred by
    telephone is documented in writing, so that it may be confirmed
    later.