Brussels, 25/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - In a letter dated 24 July addressed to the head of the Federal Custom Service of Russia, Andrei Belyanov, the European taxation commissioner, Algirdas Semeta, states his concern at the new road freight checks. He warns that they could lead to serious disruption of EU-Russia trade flows.
The commissioner refers to new, stricter regulations on the clearance of transit goods being considered in Russia to take effect from 14 August on goods transported by road under the international road transport convention, TIR. According to the new rules, it would be compulsory to notify the transit itinerary, deposit financial guarantees and escort HGVs to their final destination.
The commissioner says such measures run counter to the TIR convention and are surprising given that, since December 2010, there has been a strategic framework in place between customs services in order to facilitate transit.
Semeta consequently fears that, if the measures announced are indeed enforced, “we can expect that the additional burdens for operators and customs authorities will lead to serious disruption of EU-Russia trade flows”.
Semeta therefore urges the Russian authorities to reconsider implementation of the announced measure and engage in a proper consultation in accordance with the provisions of the TIR convention. (MD/transl.jl)