Tax reform in Russia officially comes into force in July, logistics compliance costs are rising, but risks are decreasing
2026-02-12
In July 2026, new rules for the graduated collection of VAT on cross-border trade will come into force, requiring full compliance with value, weight and accompanying documents, as well as mandatory electronic declaration. In the short term, enterprises’ compliance costs will increase, but “gray” customs clearance will lose its space to exist, and the detention of goods, fines and confiscations will be significantly reduced. Chinese freight forwarders are strengthening their declaration teams and improving the full chain of documentary support; small and medium-sized forwarders are abandoning practices that do not meet the requirements, switching to legal channels - sea and rail transportation, foreign warehouses. Customs data from China and Russia are integrated, and declaration information becomes traceable cross-border. In the long term, the industry is rapidly standardizing and becoming more transparent, with conscientious companies receiving greater opportunities for development.
