Electronic Advance Information (EPI) Processing across the Russian Federation
Electronic Advance Information (EPI) for customs authorities has been mandatory since June 2012. This requirement is based on Decision No. 899 of the Customs Union Commission, “On the introduction of mandatory advance information on goods imported into the customs territory of the Customs Union by road transport.”
A notification containing detailed information about the shipment and the goods being imported into the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) must be submitted to the customs authorities in advance, at least 2 hours before arrival.
As confirmation, customs assigns the application an identification number for the transportation.
This rule was introduced to simplify customs clearance and customs control procedures, as well as to increase the throughput capacity of checkpoints at the State Border of the Russian Federation.
However, you do not need to deal with the procedural details, Betainvest will take care of them for you. Based on your electronic application, we will prepare your EPI accurately and on time, and immediately send the number to the driver’s phone.
After that, the driver arrives at the customs checkpoint, presents the identification number, and the further customs clearance of the cargo begins immediately.
Required documents for EPI processing – Russian Federation:
Title | Description |
TIR | TIR Carnet (International Road Transport) |
CMR | International bill of lading |
INVOICE | Invoice |
Packing list | Packing list |
Technical passports | Technical passports for the vehicle and trailer |
Driver’s passport |
Additional required information:
name of the border checkpoint
driver’s mobile phone contact number
approximate time when the driver will arrive at the border
How to optimize costs
Prepare your documents in advance: correct HS codes and accurate volume/weight parameters reduce the number of amendments.
EPI templates for regular shipments (the same goods) can be completed in seconds by EDI providers and are charged at lower rates.
Use the free FCS EPS portal. The carrier can submit the data directly without intermediaries. It takes some time to understand the interface, but the cost is “0 RUB per file.”
Consolidate shipments by product nomenclature: if possible, use one HS code line with model variations instead of listing dozens of separate items.
Sign an annual agreement with Betainvest: the wholesale rate is 15-30% lower than the one-time service rate.
