Turkey- Russia Simplified Customs Corridor

On September 2008, Turkish and Russian Customs Administrations signed a Protocol on the simplification of customs procedures by creating a simplied customs corridor between two countries. This simplied customs corridor is based on the electronic exchange of advanced customs information between two administrations. According to the said Protocol, submitting advance information provides many benefits to traders including facilitated customs procedures, priority at customs points and immunity from customs examination apart from the requirements of fighting against customs offences. This system will not only provide faster customs clearance but also increase trader’s compliance substantially.

In September 2009, pilot implementation of the system began between Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport and Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport.  The initial outcomes are very promising and it has been planned to extend the system to other modes of transport.