Exports/Transit through Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan

Below is information GRTU received from the Ministry for Finance: The Customs Union (CU) of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan (CU) seems, as from 1 July 2010, to have introduced in the 3 countries, common SPS requirements.

On veterinary and sanitary issues, the CU published requirements for imported and transit consignments of live animals, animal products and feed (Decision No 318 of 18 June 2010 of the Customs Union Commission, document available in Russian on DG SANCO web page, hyperlink attached). According to this CU Decision, Common forms of veterinary certificates entered into force on 1 July 2010. The transitional period is applied for the veterinary certificates agreed between the Russian Federation and the EU (till 1 January 2011). Belarus seems to apply the CU veterinary requirements.

On plant health issues the CU has informed that its Regulations in the field of plant protection entered into force on 1^st July 2010. Phytosanitary requirements are laid down in Decision No 30 of 11 December 2009 and its annex. Furthermore, a list of regulated products has been published (documents are available on DG SANCO web page, hyperlink attached).

On food safety issues e.g. Maximum Residues Levels allowed in food products (MRLs), clarification is still needed. It seems, also in this area, that CU legislation is based on the Russian requirements ("Hygienic regulations of content of pesticides in environmental objects. GN 1.2.1323-03 of 6 May 2003 with amendments – 13 annex), which are in several cases stricter that those of the EU.

The CU requirements for animal products (meat and dairy products) were drafted taking as a model the Russian sanitary requirements, which are stricter than that of the EU, for example, for antibiotics.

The European Commission is aware of trade restrictions already imposed to consignments originating in EU Member States and destined to Belarus or Russia, due to immediate application of the new common requirements. The European Commission will investigate with the members of CU, how to avoid disruption of trade, during the implementation of the common SPS requirements.

you are kindly requested to provide information on:

Any SPS related problems or potential barriers, concerning export to Russia, Belarus or Kazakhstan;

Animals and animal products currently exported to Belarus and Kazakhstan and details on the conditions agreed to export to those countries, including health certificate models, in particular, if conditions are different from the new common requirements.

Further information: 

DG SANCO web page on the Customs Union: http://ec.europa.eu/food/international/trade/sps_requirements_en.htm

Hyperlink to Decision No 318 of 18 June 2010 of the Customs Union Commission, on DG SANCO web page: http://ec.europa.eu/food/international/trade/docs/CU_common_vet_req_ru.pdf