2026 will witness profound changes in the China-Russia logistics industry. Russia’s digital customs risk control system will be fully implemented, with 100% coverage of electronic waybills. Grey customs clearance will be severely cracked down, leaving nearly 7,000 cross-border logistics legal entities facing liquidation or bankruptcy. Meanwhile, the 15-year national dividend in the Far East will be released, and the RMB-Ruble real-time settlement system will take full effect, raising both policy opportunities and compliance thresholds. When choosing a Shanghai international logistics company, enterprises may easily face risks such as cargo detention and cost overruns if not careful. Based on 20 years of experience in Russia-bound freight and the latest 2026 policy trends, Shanghai SBTG has sorted out a core selection guide to help enterprises accurately identify reliable partners.
I. Primary Dimension: Verify Compliance Qualifications to Lay a Solid Foundation for Cooperation
Core Qualifications Are Indispensable: Prioritize companies registered with the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation and holding a “Customs Declaration Agency License”, with registration information verifiable directly through the official Russian Customs website. SBTG has passed the China-Russia AEO mutual recognition qualification review, completed employment registration on the Goslog platform in advance, fully complies with the mandatory requirements for electronic waybills, and maintains a stably high customs clearance pass rate.
Verification of Policy Adaptation Capability: Request freight forwarders to provide 2026 policy response plans, focusing on their ability to enter electronic freight documents and experience in adapting to Far East policy dividends. SBTG has established a professional policy team that maintains real-time communication with Russian Customs to obtain the latest updates. It can assist enterprises in accurately enjoying policies such as corporate income tax reductions and social security rate preferences, avoiding compliance risks.
Settlement and Qualification Traceability: Confirm that the freight forwarder has RMB-Ruble T+0 settlement capabilities to avoid exchange rate fluctuations and sanction restrictions. SBTG strictly adheres to the laws and regulations of both China and Russia, with all service processes traceable. Its charging standards comply with industry norms and customs requirements, eliminating hidden costs.
II. Core Dimension: Evaluate Full-Chain Capabilities to Adapt to Export Needs
Transportation Channels and Resources: Select freight forwarders with diversified “railway + highway + sea” channels, focusing on verifying their TIR route operation experience and the stability of scheduled train resources. SBTG integrates fixed shipping space at core ports such as Manzhouli and Erenhot, operates mature TIR trucking routes, and realizes “one declaration, full-process customs seal” based on the Convention on International Road Transport. It also connects with China-Europe Railway Express and Far East sea freight networks to adapt to different cargo volumes and timeliness requirements.
Customs Clearance and Category Adaptation: Require freight forwarders to have full-category customs clearance capabilities and provide segmented category solutions. SBTG implements a “three-document review + classified customs clearance” mechanism: for household appliances containing refrigerants such as R404A/R410A, licenses are processed in accordance with standard cycles; for food products, EAC certification and quarantine documents are completed simultaneously; for mechanical products, non-military use certificates are prepared in advance to accurately meet the control requirements of Decree No. 1374.
Informatization and Timeliness Control: Verify the availability of a full-chain visualization system, and clarify the timeliness commitments for core routes and deviation response plans. SBTG has built a Beidou/GPS dual-mode positioning system to push real-time cargo tracking information. The timeliness of TIR routes is stable and controllable, with railway scheduled trains operating regularly every week, and timeliness deviations strictly controlled within a reasonable range.
III. Key Dimension: Confirm Guarantee System to Avoid Cooperation Risks
Localized Emergency Capability: Prioritize freight forwarders with direct teams in core cities such as Moscow. SBTG’s Moscow team holds registered agent qualifications; in case of inspections, they arrive at the scene within 1 hour to provide professional explanations, assist in supplementing documents, and cooperate with Russian Customs’ digital inspection processes to shorten the handling cycle.
Claim Settlement and Risk Undertaking: Clarify the claim policies and processes for lost, damaged, or delayed cargo, and require digital insurance services. SBTG has introduced exclusive insurance plans covering core risks such as customs clearance delays and transportation damage. Claim settlement is processed online, with reviews initiated within 24 hours to minimize enterprise losses.
Value-Added Service Support: Assess the provision of value-added services such as overseas warehouses, labeling, and distribution. SBTG has laid out bonded warehouses in Moscow and Novosibirsk, supporting cargo transshipment, sorting, and local delivery. It provides integrated services such as order synchronization and labeling for e-commerce enterprises, adapting to the needs of platforms such as Ozon and Wildberries.
Choosing a Russia-bound export freight forwarder in 2026 is essentially a comprehensive assessment of compliance strength, resource integration capabilities, and risk control capabilities. Adhering to the principle of zero compromise on quality, SBTG deeply integrates 20 years of practical experience with the latest policy requirements, fully meeting the above selection criteria. There is no need for blind comparisons when choosing a freight forwarder; by accurately verifying against this guide, enterprises can find a suitable Shanghai international logistics company and steadily develop the Russian market.
