Customs and documents
Actual control measures
We will prepare a full package of documents for passing customs control from any country
- Wide selection of routes and types of transportation, full support at every stage
- Comprehensive solutions: cargo insurance, professional loading and unloading services
- In one place: from delivery of consolidated cargo to legal support of foreign trade activities
Passing customs control with the company "Kardinal"
Sometimes, when a consignment is cleared, the risk management system is triggered, and customs authorities prescribe customs control measures, including additional inspections. This is a standard practice required for the legal import of products into Russia, and it is worth preparing for it in advance.
The main forms of customs control include:
- Documentary control - checking the declaration, requesting additional documents, clarifying the cost of the goods or checking the correctness of the HS code.
- Actual control - inspection of the batch, sampling, verification of labeling, inspection of packaging and condition.
- Special forms of control include checking compliance with prohibitions, restrictions and labeling rules, as well as monitoring the use of goods after release.
At Kardinal Group we accompany the client at all stages of such inspections. If an inspection is scheduled, specialists are present at the site, record all the details and monitor compliance with procedures - this helps protect interests and correctly complete customs clearance of goods.
Frequent errors: incorrect information, incorrect HS code, erroneous cost calculation, incomplete package of papers, errors in labeling or packaging. By working with us, you will avoid such problems - your products are in good hands.
We offer a full range of support and inspection services, including consultations, selection of optimal import schemes and control of all stages. Cooperation with Kardinal in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Vladivostok guarantees transparency, reduced deadlines and optimal conditions, and the price for customs clearance of goods is always calculated individually, taking into account all the nuances.
Frequently asked questions and their answers
Frequent customs clearance errors and their consequences
During customs clearance, errors are possible in the preparation of documents, as well as in the information provided to customs. The most common mistakes: Incomplete or inaccurate declaration of goods; Error in choosing the HS code; Incorrect calculation of customs value; Not all documents have been provided, or there are errors in their execution
Incoterms are chosen incorrectly; Incorrect labeling and packaging
When working with Kardinal, none of these errors will occur, and your cargo will be in good hands.
What are the terms for customs clearance?
Product release times range from four hours, but can be extended. There are special time limits for certain stages of the procedure:
- If, during import, the cargo is delivered to the terminal before declaration, the importer has 15 days to submit the declaration;
- inspection of goods is carried out within 24 hours from the moment they are presented by the importer;
- when submitting a declaration in advance, the importer is obliged to deliver the goods to customs within 30 days, starting from the date of its registration;
- when dividing cargo into batches, the terms are increased by the period needed to form these batches;
- cargo may remain in a temporary storage warehouse for two months if the inspector orders additional inspections. In exceptional situations, the storage period may be extended by another two months;
- if the classification according to the Commodity Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activity is changed or the customs value is adjusted, the registration period is increased by 10 days.
Preparation for registration
It begins even before the cargo arrives at the border. In order for it to be processed as quickly as possible, it is important to prepare the documents correctly. They are checked, requested or the missing papers are filled out. For customs clearance you may need the following types of documents:
- accompanying cargo associated with it: invoice or invoice, certificate of origin, packing list and others;
- related to transportation: invoice for transportation and insurance, CMR bill of lading, customs transit document, export declaration and others;
- related to the transaction: contract with the supplier, documents on payment for goods;
- permits: certificates of conformity, licenses, phytosanitary and other certificates;
- other documents: agreement with an agent or broker, documents on the technical characteristics of imported goods, etc.
Confirmation of customs value
The declarant is obliged to determine the customs value and declare it in the declaration. Customs controls the correctness of calculations. If there are any doubts about the reliability of the information provided, customs may request confirmation.
There are several signs that the data declared by the declarant is unreliable:
- ITS is “lower risk”. ITS is an index of customs value, which is calculated as its ratio to the weight of the goods. Customs maintains its own statistics, using averages to assess the risk of understatement of customs value. If the figure indicated in the declaration is below the risk “trigger” threshold, customs may consider this a sign of a violation;
- discrepancies in data in different documents accompanying the cargo. For example, the information specified in the declaration and in the insurance policy differs;
- signs of calculating customs value taking into account not all expenses actually incurred by the importer;
- affiliation is a direct mutual connection between the importer and the supplier of goods abroad.
- invoice for goods (invoice);
- shipping documents;
- foreign trade contract, as well as annexes, amendments, additional agreements and other accompanying documents;
- payment, banking, accounting documents that confirm payment for goods at the stated cost.
The amount previously transferred is a deposit. If the declarant confirms that he is right, customs will return the funds. To confirm the request, the required additional documents, explanations, and information are sent to the customs office. If it is impossible to provide documents, this will be justified. If the request for documents or information by customs is unfounded, this is indicated separately.
Electronic declaration
Electronic declaration is carried out via the Internet. It allows you to transfer documents to customs for processing online, with the help of an information operator. The operation is performed in several stages:
- preparation and storage of electronic documents necessary for cargo clearance at customs;
- opening the registration procedure, submitting the declaration to customs;
- document processing, interaction with the inspector during information exchange (responses to requests, electronic messages, provision of additional data);
- release.
Remote release
Remote release technology complements electronic declaration. In this case, the declaration is submitted to the checkpoint, and the goods at this time remain in a temporary storage warehouse near the border. Control procedures are carried out at the same warehouse (if necessary). The goods are released from the warehouse and cross the border of the Customs Union when its clearance is actually completed. This simplifies the movement of goods, speeds it up, and allows one to abandon internal customs transit procedures. Remote release technology allows you to evenly distribute the load on customs terminals. If electronic declaration optimizes documentary control for a consignment, then remote release is used to speed up and simplify actual control.
Company reviews
Study the opinions of Kardinal clients who have chosen the path to reliable and efficient logistics
Tell us what you need to bring - we will offer a solution
You can send a minimum of data. If something is missing, the manager will tell you what to request from the supplier and prepare delivery options.
- We check the inputWhat the goods are, from where to where, which documents you already have.
- Documents and customsHS code, duties, permits and risks.
- Route and cost2–3 options: faster, cheaper, optimal.
The form is in Russian — you may fill it in English.












