Air Freight from China to Moscow, Russia — Transit, Duty and Clearance
China → Moscow · via SVO air / Manzhouli rail · clearance by Federal Customs Service of Russia (EAEU regime)
We move air freight cargo from South China into Moscow through SVO air / Manzhouli rail. Moscow is the largest consumer market and distribution centre, which shapes the kind of cargo that moves on this lane and how it should be packed.
The clearing authority is Federal Customs Service of Russia (EAEU regime). Historical dwell on this gateway is around 3–10 days, and it lengthens in Sep–Nov.
Duty, tax and clearance into Moscow
Imports into Russia are cleared by Federal Customs Service of Russia (EAEU regime). The headline position is: VAT 20%; EAEU common external tariff, typically 0–20%, plus recycling and excise levies on some categories. The de-minimis threshold is EUR 200 for personal parcels under EAEU rules.
Conformity is the part most first-time importers underestimate: EAC conformity mark valid across the Eurasian Economic Union; Russian-language labelling required. Getting this wrong is expensive because it usually cannot be fixed after the cargo has landed.
Restrictions and known friction points for Russia: Export-control and sanctions screening is essential — dual-use goods, electronics and machinery require careful classification and counterparty checks before shipment. EAC certification and Russian labelling are mandatory. Payment routing should be confirmed before booking.
What the routing looks like in practice
Russia is served three ways from China and the choice matters more here than anywhere else: Vladivostok by sea in under a week then rail west, direct block trains through Manzhouli or Zabaikalsk to Moscow in about 14–20 days, or the long Suez routing to St Petersburg. Rail and Far East capacity are both frequently oversubscribed, so book earlier than the transit time alone would suggest.
| Air gateways used | SVO (Moscow Sheremetyevo), DME (Moscow Domodedovo), LED (St Petersburg) |
|---|---|
| Air transit, China to gateway | 2–4 business days |
| Gateway serving Moscow | SVO air / Manzhouli rail |
| Inland leg to Moscow | +1 day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 3–10 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
What to sort out before the cargo leaves China
- Get the conformity paperwork moving early: EAC conformity mark valid across the Eurasian Economic Union; Russian-language labelling required.
- Budget for the inland leg: +1 day beyond gateway clearance to reach Moscow.
- Book earlier than the transit time suggests during Sep–Nov, when space on this lane tightens.
- Put the Moscow delivery address, contact name and phone number on the invoice, not just the packing list.
- Ask for the HS code in writing from your supplier and verify the Russia duty rate against it yourself.
- Compare gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) — the higher figure is what gets billed on air and express.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Moscow take?
China to the Russia gateway is 2–4 business days. On top of that, allow 3–10 days of clearance with Federal Customs Service of Russia (EAEU regime) and a +1 day inland leg to Moscow.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Moscow?
Federal Customs Service of Russia (EAEU regime) applies: VAT 20%; EAEU common external tariff, typically 0–20%, plus recycling and excise levies on some categories. The de-minimis position is EUR 200 for personal parcels under EAEU rules. Under a DDP arrangement these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival in Moscow.
Which port or airport does cargo for Moscow clear through?
Cargo for Moscow is routed via SVO air / Manzhouli rail. Sea gateways for Russia are Vladivostok, Vostochny, Novorossiysk; air gateways are SVO (Moscow Sheremetyevo), DME (Moscow Domodedovo), LED (St Petersburg). We pick whichever gives the shortest total door time for your address.
What documents does Federal Customs Service of Russia (EAEU regime) require?
A commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading or air waybill, a certificate of origin where it lowers duty, and any product certification (EAC conformity mark valid across the Eurasian Economic Union; Russian-language labelling required). We prepare and file these as part of the service.
Can you ship batteries or sensitive cargo to Moscow?
Yes. Battery cargo by air follows IATA PI 965–970 depending on how the cells are packed, and moves on certified channels via SVO (Moscow Sheremetyevo), DME (Moscow Domodedovo), LED (St Petersburg). Surcharges apply and the declaration has to be made before booking.
Is sea freight cheaper than air freight into Moscow?
Per kilo, yes — usually by a wide margin. The trade-off is time: Vladivostok 3–7 days; St Petersburg 40–55 days via Suez by sea versus 2–4 business days by air to the Russia gateway, before clearance and the +1 day inland leg. The crossover point is normally somewhere between 100 and 300 kg depending on the density of your cargo.
Other delivery cities in Russia
References & official sources
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity requirements for Russia change by ministerial decision, sometimes mid-year. The figures on this page are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your own HS code with Federal Customs Service of Russia (EAEU regime) or your broker before you ship.
- Federal Customs Service
- Eurasian Economic Union common tariff
- WTO — Tariff Profiles (applied MFN duty by country)
- IATA — Lithium battery shipping guidance (PI 965–970)
- World Bank — Logistics Performance Index
- ICC — Incoterms 2020 rules (DDP, DAP, FOB definitions)
- IPPC — ISPM 15 wood packaging standard
Page data last reviewed: July 2026.
Get a rate for Moscow
This lane is quoted per shipment rather than from a published rate card, because the landed cost depends on the commodity, its density, the conformity requirements above and the delivery point. Send the cargo details and we will come back with a full DDP figure.