In 2026, Russia’s import supervision policies continue to optimize, the mandatory specifications for electronic freight documents are fully advanced, and the dividends of AEO mutual recognition between Chinese and Russian customs are further released. The customs clearance process has become more standardized, but the difficulty of timeliness control has also increased accordingly. Many Shanghai export enterprises have experienced document review delays and inspection obstacles due to unfamiliarity with the timeliness nodes of each customs clearance link and failure to adapt to new regulations in advance, affecting the overall cargo delivery cycle. Based in Shanghai’s port advantages, Shanghai SBTG has a deep understanding of Russia’s customs clearance new regulations and timeliness standards in 2026. Combining practical experience, it has sorted out a clear timeline of the entire customs clearance process, specifying the core nodes, timeliness range and compliance points of each link. Relying on professional services, it helps Shanghai enterprises accurately grasp the customs clearance rhythm, avoid timeliness risks, and achieve smooth and efficient export to Russia.
I. Pre-Customs Clearance Preparation Stage (1-3 days before cargo shipment): Lay a Solid Compliance Foundation and Avoid Source Delays
Timeliness Node: 1-3 days in total, flexibly adjusted according to cargo categories. For special categories (food, electronic equipment), it can be extended to 3 days.
Core Operations: SBTG’s special team assists enterprises in completing qualification and document preparation, confirms the accurate classification of cargo HS codes, calculates tax costs in accordance with Russia’s 2026 new customs fee regulations; handles the required certifications for cargo in advance, improves basic documents for general cargo, and assists in applying for exclusive licenses and certification documents for special categories; strictly follows the specifications for electronic freight documents, completes the preliminary review of documents to ensure the consistency of information in commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, etc., and completes the submission of employment notifications on the Goslog platform in advance to avoid subsequent delays caused by non-compliant documents.
Relying on China-Russia AEO Advanced Certification qualifications, it connects with Russian customs in advance for preliminary document review, rectifies potential problems in advance, and shortens the subsequent review time; is equipped with a professional classification and certification team to ensure that pre-preparations meet the requirements of new regulations, laying a solid foundation for accelerating customs clearance.
II. Shanghai Port Declaration and Review Stage (1-2 days after cargo shipment): Accurate Declaration and Efficient Review
Timeliness Node: Preliminary review is completed within 4-8 hours after declaration submission; customs re-review is completed within 1-2 days after the preliminary review is passed. If there is no abnormality, it enters the inspection or release link; if documents need to be supplemented or modified, the timeliness is extended by 0.5-1 day.
Core Operations: After the cargo is shipped from Shanghai Port, SBTG’s customs clearance specialists submit customs clearance materials through exclusive declaration channels, upload electronic freight documents simultaneously, accurately fill in cargo information and declared value, and attach supporting materials such as purchase contracts and payment receipts; track the review progress in real time, immediately assist enterprises in improving materials after receiving supplementary notifications, and communicate review questions with Shanghai and Russian customs throughout the process to ensure efficient review, in line with Russian customs’ standard of releasing goods within 3 working days of document review.
Implements a three-document review system to avoid declaration errors and document loopholes in advance; enjoys review priority through China-Russia AEO mutual recognition qualifications, reducing the re-review time below the industry average and greatly improving declaration efficiency.
III. Customs Inspection Stage (0.5-3 days after review approval): Proactive Cooperation to Shorten Inspection Cycle
Timeliness Node: Routine inspection is completed within 0.5-1 day; key inspection (high-value, special categories) is completed within 1-3 days. If there is no abnormality in the inspection, the goods are released immediately; if there are compliance issues, re-inspection is required after rectification, and the timeliness is extended by 1-2 days.
Core Operations: After receiving the inspection notification, SBTG’s local team arrives on site quickly, assists customs in completing cargo verification, provides supplementary materials such as cargo descriptions and certification documents, and clearly explains the compliance of the cargo; assists enterprises in rectifying minor problems found during inspection on site to avoid re-inspection; strictly follows Russian customs’ digital inspection process to ensure the inspection link is standardized and efficient, reducing unnecessary time consumption.
Familiar with the key points and processes of Russian customs inspection, predicts inspection risks in advance and makes inspection preparations; relies on local directly affiliated teams to achieve rapid response at the inspection site, and reduces the inspection rate and shortens the inspection cycle combined with AEO certification advantages.
IV. Tax Payment and Release Stage (0.5-1 day after inspection approval): Timely Completion and Rapid Container Pickup
Timeliness Node: Tax payment is completed within 4-8 hours after tax calculation; customs issues a release notice within 0.5-1 day after payment is completed, and the goods can be picked up and transshipped.
Core Operations: SBTG assists enterprises in calculating taxes in advance, optimizes the tax payment plan in combination with Russia’s 2026 customs fee tiered pricing standards, reminds enterprises to pay taxes in a timely and full amount to avoid release delays due to delayed tax payment; tracks the release progress in real time after tax payment, immediately coordinates container pickup matters after obtaining the release notice, completes cargo handover, and realizes seamless connection between customs clearance and transshipment. The normal document exchange and container pickup process can be controlled within 1 day.
V. Inland Transit Connection Stage (1-2 days after release): Seamless Connection and Terminal Timeliness Control
Timeliness Node: Inland transit is initiated within 1-2 days after container pickup. According to different destinations, the subsequent transit timeliness is connected. Direct delivery can be achieved for core cities, and remote areas proceed according to route planning.
Core Operations: After the goods are released, SBTG directly initiates inland transit services without additional docking by enterprises. According to the cargo destination and category, it deploys compliant transportation capacity, optimizes transit routes, connects directly affiliated distribution centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc., to achieve rapid cargo distribution and delivery; tracks the transit trajectory in real time and feeds it back to enterprises synchronously, ensuring seamless connection between the transit link and the customs clearance link, and continuing the overall timeliness rhythm.
The core of customs clearance for export to Russia in 2026 lies in accurately grasping the timeliness nodes of each link and adapting to new regulations in advance, and a clear timeline is the key to timeliness control. The timeline of the entire customs clearance process sorted out by Shanghai SBTG integrates years of practical experience with the latest policy requirements, covering all customs clearance links, specifying the timeliness range and compliance points, and providing full-process escort with professional services to help Shanghai enterprises avoid timeliness traps and solve customs clearance problems.
