The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the open customs borders with partners in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) create opportunities for unfair imports, which negatively affects the internal market of Russia. “We intend to take strict measures to prevent this unfair practice,” said Overchuk.
This year, a system for confirming the expectation of goods delivery (SPO) was introduced, which requires importers to confirm the conclusion of a deal for the supply of goods from EAEU countries and to arrange the corresponding documents, he noted.
From September 2025, the Federal Customs Service of Russia has been instructed to strengthen control at the border sections with Belarus and Kazakhstan to prevent the illegal import and export of goods.
“This is not a temporary initiative. We will maintain this control on a permanent basis. Some have tried to slow down the process on the Kazakh side, hoping that attention will weaken. But this will not happen. We adhere to a clear position,” added Overchuk.
Cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, such as the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Guard, helps in organizing inspections. “In 2025, mobile groups identified more than 9,000 vehicles with 137,000 tons of goods violating Russian legislation,” he noted.
In addition, Russia is starting a fight against so-called “gray” certificates that are issued in EAEU countries without proper expertise.
“With increased control, we have noticed that manufacturers have begun to move their operations to the platforms of our partners in the EAEU. Goods entering our market under such documents not only create competition for Russian producers but also pose a danger to consumers. To protect the domestic market from counterfeit goods, from the end of 2025, the State Control and Rosaccreditation authorities have been granted the power to suspend the actions of certificates and declarations issued in EAEU countries,” added the Deputy Prime Minister.
Overchuk also mentioned that from February 11, electronic navigation seals began to be used in the EAEU, which should prevent banned goods from entering the internal market.
It is worth noting that the Eurasian Economic Union consists of five countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, and Armenia.
Kazakh political scientist Marat Shibutov expressed doubt about how permanent customs control corresponds to the statutory documents of the EAEU. “Is this agreed upon with partners? If not, what possible retaliatory measures are there? Integration should be mutually beneficial. Belarus and Kazakhstan are important trading partners, especially under sanctions pressure,” he noted in his Telegram channel.
Last year, multi-kilometer traffic jams of trucks formed at the border between Kazakhstan and Russia. Market participants spoke of record congestion, with the number of trucks reaching up to 15,000. The customs services of the two countries blamed each other for the situation, while the Federal Customs Service of Russia stated that dishonest businessmen were intentionally delaying at the border. The Kazakh side, in turn, pointed to the tightening of control by Russia as the main reason.
This led to an almost complete halt of the western route for the delivery of goods from China to Russia. To improve the situation, a simplified border crossing procedure was introduced in October, which was in effect until the end of 2025.
