Import and export through the window

The Russian Export Center (REC) will process requests for foreign trade licenses not only for exports, but also for imports, it follows from the amendments prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The list of products subject to such regulation includes certain types of complex equipment, chemicals and food products. Technically, the ability to obtain licenses through the “one window” system will become available next year. The amendments expand the powers of the REC in terms of working with imports – the group is already responsible for insuring import supplies.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has prepared amendments to Government Resolution No. 938 of September 17, 2016 – it regulates the performance by the Russian Export Center of agency functions to carry out examinations for issuing licenses for the export of certain types of goods (with the exception of licenses for the export of LNG). It is proposed to expand the powers of the REC to conduct examinations when licensing imports. As Kommersant was told in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the list of goods restricted for import into the territory of the EAEU was approved by a decision of the EEC board – the department issues licenses for the import of cattle meat, radio-electronic equipment and high-frequency devices, plant protection products, cryptographic devices, ozone-depleting substances, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and their precursors, poultry meat, as well as rice from Vietnam. REC, as the operator of the “One Window” information system, transfers documents to the Ministry of Industry and Trade to simplify the procedure for participants in foreign trade activities.

Now, through a “one window”, export licenses are issued (including live fish and crustaceans, wild plants, as well as drug precursors). Technically, the possibility of obtaining import licenses in the same way will appear next year, the licensing service is part of the “My Export” platform, and documents are examined on it, explained the REC. The draft amendments indicate that the issuance of licenses will be free of charge. “The difference in the document submission processes will be noticeable after gaining experience in using the system and assessing the convenience or inconvenience of obtaining permits (licenses). For business, the most important thing is speed and cost,” notes Elena Mitrofanova from VIG Trans.

Let us recall that the REC received the authority to work with imports after the State Duma approved amendments in March 2022 – against the backdrop of the introduction of sanctions restrictions and a sharp complication of supplies. Then the group was assigned the status of a development institution, carrying out activities to support not only exports, but also imports. The amendments, in particular, provided that EXIAR (part of the REC group) would be able to insure import loans against business and political risks of importers, as well as foreign counterparties – for loans from Russian and foreign banks. The REC then noted that the innovations were due to changes in the production chains of exporters and the replacement of suppliers of equipment and components from manufacturers who refused to trade with the Russian Federation. As a result, last year EXIAR provided insurance coverage for 525 billion rubles. (plus 47% by 2022), the growth is explained not only by the restoration of exports, but also by import insurance, the center explained. The agency’s insurance capacity at the end of 2023 was a record – 1.13 trillion rubles.

When transferring powers for import insurance, the group’s reinsurance capabilities were expanded: previously, the agency insured the risks of non-payment for export deliveries made on deferred payment terms, and the risks of banks for loans to buyers when financing supplies from Russia. In February of this year, the government gave EXIAR the authority to accept and transfer to reinsurance risks on trade loans issued to companies on the domestic Russian market.

Tatiana Edovina