What is official import
Official (“white”) import means importing goods legally. The goods are bought from the factory under a foreign trade contract, cleared through customs, and the duty and import VAT are paid to the budget. As a result, the goods are legally in Russia and you have a full set of documents.
Put simply: you pay exactly for what you import and can prove the origin of the goods at any time — to your accountant, buyer, retail chain or marketplace.
What is cargo
Cargo is consolidated turnkey delivery at a single rate per kilogram or cubic metre. The carrier combines the goods of different clients, handles the clearance itself and delivers the goods to a warehouse in Russia. The client doesn’t need to deal with customs — they simply pay for weight or volume.
The scheme is convenient and fast for getting started. Almost any product can be shipped via cargo, but each item should be checked in advance — we do this before dispatch.
Comparing the schemes
A fast and simple route when you don’t need documents for the goods.
- How you pay
- One all-inclusive rate per kg or cubic metre.
- Cost
- Cheaper, but the gap with official import has narrowed noticeably.
- Documents
- No customs declaration for your goods.
- Timelines
- Delays at the border are possible — rather an exception.
- Who it suits
- Almost any product — we check every item in advance.
A full set of documents — for marketplaces, VAT and large batches.
- How you pay
- Step by step: goods, logistics, duty, VAT, services — each line separately.
- Cost
- All payments are transparent; import VAT can be deducted under the general tax regime.
- Documents
- Contract, invoice, declaration, UPD, certificates.
- Timelines
- Predictable timelines and a full set of documents.
- Who it suits
- Regular and large shipments, VAT.
Both schemes work. We assess every product individually, calculate both options and tell you which one is better for your product.
What the price consists of
With official import there is no single figure “by eye” — the cost is made up of clear parts. All of them appear in the quote as separate lines before work begins.
- Cost of goodsThe factory price under the contract. We make the payment to the supplier — usually an advance and the balance when the batch is ready.
- LogisticsDelivery from China to the border and to your warehouse: air, road, rail or sea.
- DutyA percentage of the customs value. The rate depends on the HS code — we determine it in advance.
- Import VAT22%, or 10% for certain categories. Can be deducted under the general tax regime.
- Customs feeA fixed fee for the declaration and the services of a customs representative.
- Our supportSourcing, verification, quality control, documents and logistics.
Which documents you get
The main advantage of official import is the documents. With them you can sell the goods with confidence, put them on the balance sheet and show them to any inspector.
- Contractagreement with the supplier
- Invoicefactory invoice with prices and quantities
- Packing listwhat is packed and where
- Transport documentswaybills along the entire route
- Goods declarationconfirms legal import
- EAEU certificatesdeclarations and certificates of conformity
- Payment documentspayment of duty and VAT
- UPDclosing documents for accounting
How it works shipment with us
- Right awayRequest and consultationWe reply 24/7, the first consultation is free.
- 2–3 daysQuote with photos and pricesWe calculate both schemes — cargo and official — line by line.
- At the factoryBargaining and quality controlNegotiations, samples, batch inspection, payment to the factory.
- If neededCertification and labellingEAEU certificates, Chestny Znak, packaging and labels.
- 3–30 daysCustoms and deliveryWe clear the cargo and deliver it to your warehouse with documents.
How to choose a scheme
When simplicity and a fast start matter: samples, test batches, goods that don’t need import documents.
When you work with VAT, sell through retail chains or marketplaces, plan regular and large shipments, or your product needs certificates and labelling.
Not sure? Send us a product description — we will calculate both schemes and show you the difference in numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Can a small batch be imported officially?
Yes, we work with any volume. We calculate every shipment individually and tell you at what volume official import becomes more profitable.
How much does official import cost?
It depends on the product, its HS code, weight, volume and delivery method. We prepare a quote with photos and factory prices in 2–3 days.
Can VAT be recovered?
If your company is on the general tax regime, import VAT can be deducted. That is exactly what the official-import documents are for.
Will you help with certificates and Chestny Znak?
Yes. We handle EAEU declarations and certificates, labelling, packaging and labels for Wildberries and Ozon — turnkey.
Who pays the factory in China?
We make the payment to the supplier — you don’t need to look for a way to pay in yuan.