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Customs Clearance for Clothing and Footwear
Customs clearance and delivery — under a single contract: from the HS code and “Chestny Znak” (Honest Sign) labeling through to cargo release and delivery to your warehouse.
✔ Multimodal transport: sea, road, rail, air
✔ Over 10 years in the market
✔ We work throughout Russia and the EAEU
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Importing clothing and footwear into Russia isn’t just about customs clearance — it’s the entire journey of the cargo from the supplier’s warehouse abroad to your warehouse in Russia. WestComTrans handles both stages: we select the HS code, prepare documents, arrange certification and “Chestny Znak” (Honest Sign) labeling, submit the declaration, and simultaneously arrange delivery by sea, road, rail, air, or a multimodal scheme — so the cargo doesn’t get stuck between different contractors. We’ve been operating for over 10 years, take full responsibility for the entire turnkey process, and keep you informed at every stage.
What’s Included in the Customs Clearance Service for Clothing and Footwear
The full clearance cycle for a shipment of clothing or footwear consists of several stages, and WestComTrans handles all of them for the client from start to finish:
- selecting and confirming the HS code based on the product group, fabric composition, purpose, and age category;
- preliminary calculation of customs payments — duty, VAT, fees — even before the cargo is shipped;
- verifying and preparing the full set of documents (invoice, contract, packing list, transport waybill);
- processing the declaration of conformity or certificate under the applicable technical regulation (TR TS 007/2011, 017/2011, 019/2011);
- handling “Chestny Znak” (Honest Sign) labeling — from ordering the codes through to submitting the data for declaration;
- submitting the customs declaration, interacting with the customs inspector, and going through inspection if required;
- cargo release and organizing further delivery — by sea, road, rail, air, or a multimodal scheme — to the recipient’s warehouse.
Every stage is recorded in writing, and the client receives a status update on the cargo at each step — rather than being told to “check with customs yourself.”
Classification of Clothing and Footwear by HS Code
The correctly determined HS code affects both the amount of customs payments and the list of required permits — this is the first and most critical step in clearance.
Clothing — Groups 61, 62, 63, and 65
Knitted or crocheted articles — made of interlocked loops — fall under group 61. Clothing made from any other type of woven fabric (non-knitted) falls under group 62. Used items (second-hand) are declared separately, under group 63 with the code 6309 00, and headwear falls under group 65. The code additionally depends on fabric composition, gender, and age category — this information must be specified precisely, otherwise customs will send a request to correct the declaration.
Footwear — Group 64
For footwear, the key classification parameters are the upper and sole material, insole length, and purpose. It’s also worth noting the term “sports footwear” under the HS code system separately: it applies only to footwear with spikes, stops, clips, or fittings for them, as well as boots for skating, skiing, snowboarding, and footwear for wrestling, boxing, and cycling — ordinary sneakers and gymnastics shoes do not fall under this definition and are declared under the general procedure.
Documents for Customs Clearance
The basic document package is the same for most shipments of clothing and footwear, but permits are added for certain items.
| Document | Requirement | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Contract / invoice | Required | Scan + original with the carrier |
| Packing list | Required | Scan + original with the carrier |
| Transport waybill (CMR / AWB / rail waybill / bill of lading) |
Required | Original with the carrier |
| Certificate or declaration of conformity under TR TS | Required | Scan or original |
| Certificate of origin (Form CT-1 / A) | If tariff preferences apply | Original |
| “Chestny Znak” (Honest Sign) labeling codes | Required for categories subject to labeling | Excel export from the personal account |
| Rights holder’s authorization for the brand | If the trademark is included in the IP register | Scan |
| Currency contract details | For transaction amounts of 3 million RUB or more | Scan |
We finalize the complete list for a specific shipment during the preliminary cargo review — before dispatch, so the supplier has time to gather anything missing.
Certification and “Chestny Znak” (Honest Sign) Labeling
Technical Regulations
Adult clothing and footwear are processed under TR TS 017/2011 “On the Safety of Light Industry Products” — via a declaration or certificate of conformity, depending on the type of item. Children’s clothing and footwear go through TR TS 007/2011 “On the Safety of Products Intended for Children and Adolescents”: some first-layer items (underwear, hosiery, footwear for children under three) also require state registration (SGR) with sanitary-epidemiological control at the border. Special-purpose workwear and headwear are certified under TR TS 019/2011.
Labeling Procedure
By 2026, the list of light industry products subject to labeling has been expanded to cover almost the entire range — from jackets and footwear to tracksuits, swimwear, gloves, headwear, and children’s clothing. Labeling is applied before crossing the Russian border:
- registering the importer in the “Chestny Znak” system;
- ordering labeling codes through the personal account;
- transmitting the codes to the manufacturer abroad;
- applying the codes to the item, label, or packaging;
- receiving a report from the manufacturer on the codes applied;
- submitting the code export (Excel) for customs declaration;
- putting the goods into circulation after release.
Skipping any of these steps before the cargo is shipped is the most common cause of delays at the border.
Customs Payments: Duties and VAT
As of January 1, 2026, the standard import VAT rate has risen to 22%. The reduced rate of 10% remains in effect for children’s clothing and footwear — provided the age category (height, size chart) is documented in the declaration.
| Product Category | VAT | Duty Calculation Principle |
|---|---|---|
| Adult clothing | 22% | Depends on the code: % of customs value, a combined rate (% + minimum per kg), or a fixed rate per kg |
| Children’s clothing and footwear (with category confirmed) | 10% | Generally lower than for adult products |
| Leather and fur products | 22% | Usually per unit rather than per kilogram |
| Children’s footwear (up to size 24) | 10%, rehabilitation footwear — 0% | By HS code |
| Second-hand (code 6309 00) | 22% | Combined rate of ~15% of value, but no less than €0.18 per kg |
The duty rate varies significantly even within a single product group and depends on the country of origin: for example, one of the codes for men’s knitted shirts carries a fixed specific rate of €1.75 per kg, while other items within the same group 61 have their own combination of a percentage of value and a minimum per kilogram. That’s why we don’t quote an exact percentage “on average” — we provide it once we’ve determined the code for your specific shipment. A separate customs fee also applies: as of 2026, it starts at 1,231 RUB for shipments valued up to 200,000 RUB and reaches up to 73,860 RUB for shipments over 10 million RUB. We calculate the exact total of all payments for your specific shipment free of charge, already at the request stage.
Special Considerations by Product Category
Children’s Clothing and Footwear
The criterion for classification in the children’s category is the size chart and the data in the accompanying documents (height, chest circumference). First-layer items for children under 3 (underwear, hosiery, summer headwear) additionally undergo state registration and sanitary-epidemiological control at the border — without this mark from Rospotrebnadzor, the cargo will not be released.
Branded Products and Parallel Import
Before shipping, we check the trademark against the register of intellectual property objects (OIS/TROIS). If the brand is registered there and is not included in the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s parallel import list, importing it requires a one-time authorization from the rights holder or confirmation of authorized importer status — without this, the shipment risks being flagged for additional inspection.
Leather and Fur Products
Leather, fur, and their synthetic analogues undergo sanitary-epidemiological control at the border and are certified under TR TS 007/2011 or 017/2011, depending on the code. If the raw material comes from species listed in the CITES appendices (for example, crocodile, python, certain feline species), an additional permit from Rosprirodnadzor is required — this is worth checking as early as the supplier selection stage.
Second-Hand Clothing and Footwear
Used items are declared under code 6309 00 and undergo mandatory sanitary-epidemiological control. This category cannot include new, unpackaged items, items from past collections, or defective items, nor fur and leather items — these require a separate code and, accordingly, a different set of documents. Unlike new clothing, second-hand items under code 6309 00 are not included in the mandatory “Chestny Znak” (Honest Sign) labeling list — codes do not need to be ordered for such shipments.
Delivery of Clothing and Footwear: Choosing a Mode of Transport
Customs clearance is only part of the cargo’s journey, and the mode of transport used directly affects the final cost and timeline.
| Mode of Transport | When It’s Advantageous | What to Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Sea (container) | Large shipments of mass-market goods, non-seasonal items | The most cost-effective option, but a longer transit time |
| Air | Branded, expensive, or seasonal collections, when time-to-retail is critical | More expensive than sea, but a 5–7 day delay here can cost more than the shipping itself |
| Road transport | Shipments from Turkey, China, EAEU countries, and Europe | Flexible timelines, convenient for medium volumes |
| Rail | Stable, regular deliveries over medium and long distances | Predictable schedule, lower price than air |
| Multimodal scheme | When you need to combine the cost-effectiveness of sea transport with the flexibility of road or rail on the final leg | Requires coordination between modes of transport — when working with several contractors, this is usually where delays occur |
WestComTrans arranges any of these schemes along with customs clearance under a single contract — this eliminates the mismatches between the broker, the carrier, and the warehouse that are usually the cause of delays with seasonal goods.
Why Clients Choose WestComTrans
- Over 10 years in the market of international logistics and customs clearance.
- Customs clearance and delivery — under a single contract with one operator: this reduces the final cost and eliminates the blurring of responsibility between different contractors.
- Multimodal transport by sea, road, rail, and air to any point in the world.
- Door-to-door delivery with no intermediaries.
- Timely updates on cargo status at every stage — from declaration submission through to release.
- Consultations on all foreign trade and customs clearance questions — even before signing the contract.
If you have any questions about the shipping container transportation process or would like to get advice, do not hesitate to contact us. We are ready to help you at every stage of your cargo delivery!
WestComTrans is an international logistics company.
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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WE ARE ALREADY TRUSTED
REVIEW
Ответы на частые вопросы
The mandatory minimum is the contract, invoice, packing list, and transport waybill. Additionally, a declaration or certificate of conformity under the technical regulation is required, along with “Chestny Znak” (Honest Sign) labeling codes, and — if preferences apply — a certificate of origin.
Yes, by 2026 labeling is mandatory for nearly the entire light industry range — from outerwear and footwear to tracksuits, swimwear, and headwear. The codes are applied before crossing the Russian border.
With a complete and correct document package, the declaration is typically released within one to three days of the cargo arriving at the temporary storage warehouse. The timeline increases if customs orders an additional review of value or product code.
If the trademark is registered in the intellectual property register and is not on the parallel import list, then yes — a one-time authorization or confirmation of authorized importer status is required.
