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Customs Clearance for Fish and Seafood
Turnkey customs clearance and export of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and caviar — from HS code selection and veterinary documentation through to warehouse delivery. Customs and multimodal logistics under one roof, with no intermediaries.
✔ Veterinary certificates, Rosselkhoznadzor permits, and turnkey labeling
✔ Multimodal transport: sea, road, rail, air
✔ Over 10 years in the market
✔ We work throughout Russia and the EAEU
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Fish and seafood are among the most demanding cargo categories in customs clearance: a short shelf life, mandatory veterinary control, and strict temperature requirements leave no room for error. A delay of just a few hours at the border, and the shipment loses its marketable condition, with the importer bearing direct losses.
WestComTrans takes on the full customs clearance process for fish and seafood: from HS code selection and preparation of veterinary documents through to cargo release and warehouse delivery. We work as a single operator — sea, air, road, and rail transport plus customs clearance under one roof, with no intermediaries and no time lost at the handoffs between different contractors.
What Falls Under Fish and Seafood for Customs Purposes
For customs purposes, fish and seafood are divided into two major HS code groups: group 03 — live, fresh, chilled, and frozen products, and group 1605/1604 — prepared and canned products. The category includes:
- fish — live, fresh, chilled, frozen, filleted, as well as dried, salted, and smoked;
- crustaceans — shrimp, crab, langoustines, lobster, crayfish;
- mollusks — mussels, scallops, squid, octopus, cuttlefish, oysters;
- caviar — red (salmon roe) and black (sturgeon roe), as well as caviar substitutes;
- prepared products — canned goods, preserves, seafood mixes, semi-finished products.
The exact clearance procedure and document package depend on the specific type of product, degree of processing, and transport temperature regime.
HS Codes and Customs Payments
The duty and VAT amount is determined by the 10-digit HS code, which depends on the type of product, processing method, and country of origin. A code error is a common cause of additional charges and cargo delays, so we select and verify the code before shipment.
| Product Category | HS Group | Duty* | VAT* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live fish | 0301 | around 6% | 10% |
| Fresh, chilled fish | 0302 | 3–8% | 10% |
| Frozen fish, fillets | 0303–0304 | 3–7% | 10% |
| Crustaceans (crab, shrimp, langoustine) | 0306 | 5–8% | 10%, 22% for crab meat and spiny lobster |
| Mollusks (mussels, scallop, squid, octopus) | 0307 | 5–8% | 10% |
| Sturgeon and salmon roe | 1604 | up to 15–17%, often with a minimum rate per kg | 22% |
| Canned goods and prepared products | 1605 | 8–15% | 10–22% |
| Products from EAEU/CIS countries (CT-1 certificate) | — | 0% | domestic tax |
*Rates are approximate and depend on the sub-code, country of origin, and degree of processing. We calculate the exact figure once we receive the invoice and specification for the shipment. As of January 1, 2026, the standard VAT rate in Russia was raised from 20% to 22% (Federal Law No. 425-FZ), while the reduced rate of 10% on most food products, including fish and seafood, remains in place — it applies to categories not classified as delicacies.
Documents for Customs Clearance
Basic package:
- foreign trade contract with all appendices;
- invoice with an itemized breakdown of value;
- packing list (net/gross weight, number of packages);
- transport documents — bill of lading, CMR, or air waybill;
- certificate of origin (important for applying preferential rates under CIS and EAEU agreements).
Specific documents for fish and seafood:
- veterinary certificate from the country of dispatch;
- Rosselkhoznadzor permit for importing regulated products;
- declaration of conformity with the requirements of TR EAEU 040/2016;
- documents confirming compliance with the temperature regime during transport;
- for export — a veterinary certificate of the international format (Form 5i).
Veterinary Control and Permits
All fish and seafood products are classified as regulated veterinary cargo and undergo control before the customs declaration is submitted:
- Document verification — cross-checking the veterinary certificate, import permit, and actual cargo data.
- Identification and inspection — checking labeling, packaging integrity, and the transport temperature regime.
- Laboratory testing — sampling for pathogens, heavy metals, and other safety indicators, if necessary.
The import permit is issued through the “Argus” system — we check in advance that the foreign manufacturer is included in the register of enterprises authorized to supply Russia. After the cargo is released, we oversee the closing out of veterinary accompanying documents in the “Mercury” federal information system (FGIS), within the established 24-hour deadline.
“Chestny Znak” (Honest Sign) Labeling for Fish Products
Labeling requirements for fish products are being introduced in stages, and it’s important to know the exact status for your category at the time of shipment:
- as of May 1, 2024 — mandatory labeling of salmon and sturgeon roe;
- as of December 1, 2024 — mandatory labeling of canned fish products and seafood in consumer packaging;
- from November 24, 2025 to August 31, 2026 — frozen fish products (fillets, crustaceans, mollusks) are part of a pilot labeling program;
- as of September 1, 2026 — mandatory registration of participants trading in frozen fish products in the “Chestny Znak” system;
- as of February 1, 2027 — full mandatory labeling of frozen and lightly frozen fish products, semi-finished fish products, and ready-made dishes containing fish.
We check the current labeling status for your product category before shipment, to rule out issues with customs release and subsequent sale.
Import and Export of Fish and Seafood
We handle clearance of fish and seafood in both directions — imports into Russia and exports abroad, including the growing shipment volume to China.
Import (Customs Clearance)
Customs duty, VAT, and a customs fee are payable on import. Restrictions apply by country of origin — some countries are subject to sanctions measures, so we check the supplier’s country in advance. For shipments from EAEU and CIS countries with a CT-1 certificate of origin, no duty is charged — only VAT is payable.
Export (Outbound Clearance), Including Export to China
No customs duty is charged when exporting fish and seafood from Russia. A veterinary certificate of the international format is required, issued by Rosselkhoznadzor after laboratory testing. For shipments to China, the exporter must additionally register in the CIFER system of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) — the procedure takes about 30–45 days, so we handle it in advance to avoid delaying the first shipment.
Logistics and Transport Temperature Control
Maintaining the cold chain is a mandatory condition for preserving the shipment throughout the entire route, and here we work as a single logistics operator, not just a customs broker:
- live fish — specialized containers with aeration, temperature, and humidity control;
- chilled products — refrigerated transport with continuous temperature monitoring;
- frozen products — stable temperature control throughout the route, monitored via sensor loggers;
- choice of transport — sea for large shipments of frozen products, air for expensive chilled fish, road and rail for shipments from CIS and neighboring countries.
We arrange door-to-door delivery with a minimal number of transshipments — each transfer increases the risk of thawing or packaging damage.
Why Clients Choose Us
- Over 10 years in the market of international logistics;
- Our own multimodal transport operator — no intermediaries or disjointed contractors;
- Full turnkey support: from HS code selection through to warehouse delivery;
- Oversight of veterinary and permit documentation at every stage;
- Timely updates on cargo status at every stage of clearance.
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
Yes, all fish products are classified as regulated veterinary cargo. A certificate from the country of dispatch and a Rosselkhoznadzor import permit, issued through the “Argus” system, are required.
For most types of fish and seafood as food products, the reduced rate of 10% applies. As of January 1, 2026, the standard VAT rate was raised from 20% to 22% — this applies to delicacy categories: sturgeon and salmon roe, crab meat, spiny lobster, and some canned products. The exact rate depends on the specific HS code.
Yes, for salmon and sturgeon roe — since May 2024; for canned goods and packaged seafood — since December 2024. Frozen products and semi-finished products are part of a pilot program until August 31, 2026, after which registration of trading participants will be required as of September 1, 2026, and labeling will become mandatory as of February 1, 2027. We check the current status before shipping a specific category.
Yes, no export duty applies. A veterinary certificate and exporter registration in the CIFER system (GACC) are required — this registration takes about 30–45 days, so it’s worth starting well in advance of the first shipment.
