The Government has modified customs clearance regulations for the Russian Arctic, with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signing the relevant resolution.

The document gives customs divisions the right to conduct checks, which will allow Arctic checkpoints to handle goods and vehicles more quickly. Customs divisions will be responsible for sanitary-quarantine, veterinary and phyto-sanitary oversight. Earlier, only the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) and the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) had these rights.

“The approved resolution is part of a wide range of measures to facilitate the Arctic’s socioeconomic development. Earlier, the entire Russian polar region was declared a free economic zone whose residents can enjoy numerous preferences, including reduced tax rates and insurance premiums, a free-customs zone procedure and land-plot lease benefits,” Government sources explained.

The decision is to enter into force in 180 days, and the Federal Customs Service’s specialists will receive additional training during this period. Special equipment will also be installed at customs checkpoints.