FAQ: What are the requirements for exporting goods from Russia?

16 June 2025

About registration, export licences, Russian export regulations and customs declarations

Registration and licences

Registration. A company or sole proprietor (IP) must be registered with the Federal Customs Service (FCS) as a participant in foreign economic activity (FEA). To register, you must obtain an electronic digital signature (EDS), set up an account on the FCS website, provide founding documents and an extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities (EGRUL) or Sole Proprietors (EGRIP), and submit an application.
Export licences. These are required for exporting dual-use goods and strategic resources (e.g. rare metals, weapons, or nuclear materials). The list of goods in this category is regularly updated by the Russian Government.

Russia is party to several international agreements governing trade, including those established by the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and international conventions on protecting biodiversity and the environment. When exporting to other countries, businesses must also consider anti-dumping and countervailing measures, quotas, tariff restrictions, and sanctions lists.
Exporting goods from Russia requires an international trade contract with agreed delivery terms, an export declaration, a certificate of origin (with its format depending on the importing country), and phytosanitary or veterinary certificates (e.g. for agricultural products).

Zero-rated VAT. Can be applied to most export operations, but requires approval and the submission of a document package to the Federal Tax Service (FTS) within 180 days.
Electronic export declaration. Mandatory since 2024 and must be filed via the automated FCS system. The process includes identifying the product’s FEACN code using the classifier, calculating the customs value, and attaching supporting documents (contracts, invoices, packing lists).