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Turnkey Sunflower Seed Export from Russia
We calculate the export duty, prepare the documents, and arrange delivery to EAEU countries, China, Turkey, and other destinations. A single operator for the entire route.
✔ Sea, rail, road, air, and multimodal schemes
✔ Customs clearance and permits — turnkey
✔ 10+ years in international logistics
✔ Cost calculation within one business day
Specify the email address to which we will send the cost calculation
WestComTrans organizes sunflower seed export from Russia to EAEU countries, China, Turkey, and other destinations. We select the route and mode of transport, prepare the documents, arrange the phytosanitary certificate and export declaration, calculate the export duty, and deliver the cargo to its destination.
We work as a logistics operator and customs representative. We don’t sell seeds ourselves: we help export your shipment with no downtime at the port or border.
Special Considerations in Exporting Sunflower Seeds from Russia
Sunflower seeds are subject to export restrictions. The state encourages processing oilseeds domestically, so it’s more advantageous to export oil and meal rather than raw material. The rules depend on the destination:
- to EAEU countries (Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan), no export duty applies;
- to other countries (China, Turkey, the EU, and others), an export duty of 50% of customs value applies, but no less than 32,000 ₽ per ton;
- every shipment undergoes quarantine phytosanitary control and is accompanied by quality documents;
- foreign currency earnings are subject to currency control, and VAT refunds (0% rate) require export confirmation.
An error at any link in the chain means container downtime, demurrage fines, or the cargo being returned. That’s why it’s best to prepare the calculation and documents before shipment.
Export Duty on Sunflower Seeds
The rate for sunflower seeds (HS code 1206 00 990 0, not for sowing, except dehulled) is 50% of customs value, but no less than 32,000 ₽ per ton. The duty is in effect through August 31, 2028 (Government Resolution of the Russian Federation No. 1640 dated October 23, 2025).
| Destination | Export Duty | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan | Not charged | EAEU countries, simplified clearance |
| China, Turkey, the EU, and other countries | 50%, but no less than 32,000 ₽/t | Payable at customs clearance |
How this is calculated in practice. A 100-ton shipment, priced at 40,000 ₽/t, gives a customs value of 4,000,000 ₽. The percentage rate would come to 2,000,000 ₽, but the minimum is 32,000 × 100 = 3,200,000 ₽. The amount payable is 3,200,000 ₽. The minimum rate applies as long as customs value is below 64,000 ₽ per ton.
This is an illustrative example. Before the deal, we’ll calculate the duty for your shipment based on the current rules.
Main Destinations for Sunflower Seed Export
In the 2025/26 season, over 85% of Russian sunflower seed exports went to EAEU countries (according to OleoScope estimates). Shipments outside the Union are less frequent, as an export duty applies there. The destination determines the duty, the documents, and the route.
EAEU Countries: Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan
No export duty applies, making this the most accessible destination. The main transport modes are road and rail. Instead of a phytosanitary certificate, a quarantine certificate is usually issued for shipments subject to quarantine control. We confirm this for your specific cargo and recipient.
China
Rail and multimodal routes are used for shipments to China: road transport to the station, then railcars or containers. We coordinate China’s quarantine and document requirements for your shipment in advance.
Turkey, Europe, and Other Countries
Sea delivery is possible via Azov-Black Sea Basin ports and the northwest (Ust-Luga, Vysotsk). Since August 2026, southern ports have been operating with disruptions, so we select the port and shipping date based on the specific shipment. Each importing country has its own quarantine standards.
We don’t source buyers or contracts: our job is to arrange the export.
Documents for Sunflower Seed Export
| Document | Where It’s Issued | What It’s For |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign trade contract | Between the seller and buyer | The basis for the declaration and currency control |
| Phytosanitary certificate | Rosselkhoznadzor, the “Cerberus” electronic system | Confirms the shipment’s quarantine safety, issued for each vehicle |
| Test reports | An accredited laboratory | Moisture, weed impurity, pest infestation, GMOs, pesticide residues |
| Export declaration (DT) | The customs authority | Customs clearance, duty calculation |
| Certificate of origin | The Chamber of Commerce and Industry | Required under the contract terms or the importing country’s rules |
| Transport documents | The carrier | CMR, rail waybill, or bill of lading |
| Export confirmation | Customs, the bank | The basis for applying the 0% VAT rate and currency control |
The phytosanitary certificate has a limited validity period, and it differs for export within the EAEU versus outside it. That’s why shipment is planned immediately after the certificate is obtained. We take on the preparation and submission of the documents and keep track of deadlines.
Ways to Ship Sunflower Seeds for Export
| Method | When It’s Advantageous | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Road transport | EAEU countries, small and medium shipments | Fast, door-to-door, depends on border crossings |
| Rail (railcars) | Large shipments, China, Kazakhstan | Low price per ton, clear timelines |
| Bulk sea shipping | Large shipments, when an accessible terminal is available | Minimal price per ton, the port is selected based on the shipping date |
| Container sea shipping | Medium shipments, multiple recipients | Preservation, flexibility, suitable for big bags |
| Multimodal shipping | Routes to China and complex destinations | Road, rail, and sea under a single operator |
Working with a single operator for the entire route reduces cost, and accountability isn’t diluted between contractors.
Packaging and Cargo Requirements
- Bulk: grain hopper cars, vessels, containers with liners.
- Big bags (around 1 t): the standard option for containers.
- 25–50 kg sacks: for small shipments and packaged products.
Quality parameters are set by the contract. Most often this means moisture around 7–8%, limits on weed impurity, and no pest infestation. Sunflower seeds are hygroscopic, so during container shipping, ventilation, liners, and condensation protection matter — moisture is exactly what causes shipments to spoil and self-heat. Due to their low bulk density, a container is loaded with less weight than when shipping wheat, and this is factored into the rate calculation. If the importing country requires fumigation, we arrange that too.
What Makes Up the Cost of Sunflower Seed Export
- the export duty (if the destination isn’t within the EAEU);
- freight, rail tariff, or road transport;
- terminal handling and transshipment, storage;
- customs clearance and broker services;
- the phytosanitary certificate and laboratory testing;
- cargo insurance;
- demurrage and downtime, if the documents aren’t ready by the time of arrival.
The final price is affected by shipment volume, packaging type, route, Incoterms delivery conditions (FCA, FOB, CPT, CIF, DAP), and the season. We need the destination, volume, packaging type, and loading location to provide a quote. We’ll respond within 15 minutes.
Common Mistakes in Sunflower Seed Export
- An incorrect HS code and an incorrectly calculated duty.
- An expired phytosanitary certificate, or one not issued in time for the loading date.
- Moisture above the standard, causing the shipment to be rejected.
- Unsuitable packaging for the container and condensation.
- Incoterms conditions that don’t match the parties’ actual obligations.
- No export confirmation submitted in time: the 0% VAT rate is left unsupported.
Advantages of Working With Us
- Over 10 years in the international logistics market — an established network of agents and partners worldwide
- One operator instead of a chain of subcontractors — you work with a single company at every stage, instead of coordinating separately with the carrier, customs broker, and freight forwarder
- Single point of responsibility — WestComTrans is accountable for the cargo from warehouse pickup all the way to delivery to the recipient
- Competitive pricing through route optimization — we combine transport types to eliminate unnecessary costs
- Timely updates at every stage — you always know where your cargo is
- Full turnkey support — from cost calculation to closing documents
We transport the following goods:
Chemical raw materials and components
Pharmaceutical products
Electronics and equipment
Textile products
Food products and spices
Construction materials
Clothing and footwear
Industrial equipment
“Sunflower seed export most often falls apart not during transport, but over the small things: the wrong HS code, an expired phytosanitary certificate, an incorrectly calculated duty. That’s why we start with the calculation. Before shipment, the client already knows how much they’ll pay to export outside the EAEU, which documents are needed, and which route the cargo will take. From there, a single operator manages the shipment from loading through to the recipient.” – Alexander Morozov, Logistics Specialist at WestComTrans
If you have any questions about the process of organizing international export shipping of sunflower seeds from Russia, or would like to get a consultation, feel free to reach out to us. We’re ready to help you at every stage of your cargo’s delivery!
WestComTrans – International Logistics.
COST OPTIMIZATION
Optimization of clearance and freight costs
Savings on terminal services
Adjustment of customs value
Optimization of final costs
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SERVICE
24/7 communication with manager
Deferred payment
We work with and without VAT
Electronic document flow
Correspondence with sender
No hidden fees
Cargo insurance
Full support from purchase to delivery
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REVIEW
Ответы на частые вопросы
Exporting outside the EAEU requires a phytosanitary certificate for each shipment. It’s issued by Rosselkhoznadzor. Its validity period is limited, so shipment is planned immediately after the certificate is obtained. A quarantine certificate is usually issued instead for EAEU countries.
No. The export duty only applies to exports outside the EAEU: 50% of customs value, but no less than 32,000 ₽ per ton, through August 31, 2028.
The timeline depends on the route, port, and document readiness. We provide an exact timeline once we calculate the specific shipment.
In bulk (railcars, vessels, containers with liners), in big bags of around 1 ton, or in 25–50 kg sacks. The choice depends on volume, transport, and the recipient’s requirements.
The price is made up of the duty, freight or tariff, terminal operations, clearance, and documents. It depends on volume, route, packaging, and delivery terms. We provide a free calculation upon request.
