How to Import from China to Russia (with Payment Methods) ?
Importing from China to Russia is straightforward due to strong bilateral trade ties, with China being Russia’s largest import partner (over $100 billion annually in recent years). Trade has grown rapidly, especially for electronics, machinery, vehicles, textiles, and consumer goods.
However, sanctions on Russia have shifted many imports to “parallel” channels (legalized in Russia since 2022 for sanctioned brands), and there are increasing protections for Russian industries (e.g., higher duties on certain Chinese goods like vehicles or furniture parts).
The process is easiest with a reliable freight forwarder experienced in China-Russia routes — they handle most complexities, including DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service where everything (shipping, customs, taxes) is prepaid and goods arrive cleared.
Table of Contents
1. Preparation Before Shipping
- Find a Supplier in China: Use platforms like Alibaba, 1688, or trade fairs. Verify the supplier (factory audits recommended).
- Determine Product Requirements:
- EAC Certification (Eurasian Conformity): Mandatory for most goods sold in Russia/EAEU (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan). This proves compliance with safety/technical standards (TR CU regulations).
- Required for: Electronics, machinery, toys, cosmetics, vehicles, tires, low-voltage equipment, etc.
- Types: EAC Certificate (for high-risk items, issued by accredited body) or EAC Declaration (for lower-risk, self-declared but registered).
- Must be obtained before import; testing often in accredited labs (can be in China or EAEU). Label products with EAC mark.
- Cost: $500–$10,000+ depending on product; takes 1–3 months.
- If missing: Goods blocked at customs.
- HS Code: Use Russian-specific HS codes (differs from international) for duties calculation. Get a preliminary classification from a customs broker.
- Other Certificates: Certificate of Origin (for preferential treatment), sanitary/phytosanitary for food, etc.
- EAC Certification (Eurasian Conformity): Mandatory for most goods sold in Russia/EAEU (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan). This proves compliance with safety/technical standards (TR CU regulations).
- Importer in Russia: Must be a Russian legal entity (company or individual entrepreneur). They pay duties/VAT and handle declaration. Foreigners can’t directly import commercially.
- Incoterms: Recommend DDP for beginners (seller/forwarder handles everything). Avoid DDU if possible, as buyer deals with Russian customs.
2. Shipping Methods (Costs & Times)
Popular routes leverage proximity and infrastructure like China-Europe Railway Express.
| Method | Best For | Transit Time (Door-to-Door) | Cost Estimate | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Freight | Urgent, high-value (electronics, samples) | 5–9 days | $4–$9/kg | Fastest, reliable | Expensive |
| Rail Freight | Medium-large shipments (balanced cost/speed) | 15–25 days | $1,000–$2,000/ton; $60–$120/m³ (LCL) | Cost-effective, stable schedules | Slower than air |
| Sea Freight | Bulk/heavy goods | 20–45 days (to Vladivostok: 10–15 days; to St. Petersburg: longer) | $1,500–$3,800/20ft container (Vladivostok) | Cheapest for volume | Slowest |
| Road/Trucking | Door-to-door, inland Russia | 15–30 days | $80–$150/m³ (DDP) | Flexible, direct delivery | Border delays possible |
- Most Popular: Rail (via Manzhouli/Zabaikalsk) or road for speed/cost; sea to Vladivostok then rail/truck onward.
- Express (for small parcels): 2–5 days, $5–$8/kg via couriers.
- Recommend: Freight forwarders like CFC, Tonlexing, or Honour Ocean for DDP door-to-door.
3. Customs Clearance & Taxes
- Process:
- Exporter handles Chinese export customs.
- Russian importer (or forwarder) declares via Federal Customs Service (electronic platform).
- Documents: Commercial invoice (with Russian HS code, net/gross weights), packing list, bill of lading/waybill, EAC cert, contract.
- Only Russian entity can pay duties/VAT (forwarders can’t under law, unless DDP arranged creatively).
- Taxes & Duties (2025):
- Import Duty: 0–20% (average 5–15%) based on HS code; many Chinese goods low due to ties.
- VAT: 20% on most goods (calculated on value + duty + freight).
- Utilization/Recycling Fee: High for vehicles/EVs (can add 25%+ to car price in 2025 to protect local production).
- De Minimis: Duty-free if value < €200 and weight < 31kg (for personal imports/parcels).
- Recent Changes: Higher duties on some Chinese items (e.g., furniture fittings up to 55%, vehicles via parallel imports restricted/costlier).
- Parallel Imports: Still allowed for sanctioned Western brands via China/third countries, but crackdowns on evasion through EAEU (e.g., higher fees if re-exported from Kazakhstan).
- Clearance Time: 1–5 days if documents perfect; delays common without broker.
After Chinese local banks started refusing payments from Russia, over 98% of Chinese banks no longer accept direct transfers from Russian businesses.
This has led to serious challenges in the payment process, potentially affecting goods supply to Russia and causing price hikes.
Direct Payments are No Longer an Option
During May and June, local Chinese banks were still cooperating with Russian businesses, and payments were relatively stable.
However, since July 20, payments have almost been completely suspended. More than 98% of Chinese banks are no longer accepting direct payments from Russia.
Alternative Payment to China from Russia Methods
With these challenges, Russian companies now have to find alternative ways to send payments to Chinese suppliers.
Below are some of the available methods:
1. Payment Through Invoicing (10-13% Fee)
If a Russian company wants to pay in RMB (Chinese Yuan), the payment can be made through invoicing. However, this method comes with an additional charge of 10-13%. This option is typically used when companies wish to settle payments directly in Chinese currency, bypassing bank restrictions.
2. Payments via Alibaba International Accounts
Another solution is through Alibaba’s international platform. Suppliers who have Alibaba international accounts can accept certain types of Russian currency via special channels set up by Alibaba. This payment method was specifically developed by Alibaba to help Russian businesses manage payments amidst current banking restrictions.
3. Third-Country Payment Agents
Many Russian companies have been turning to third-country payment agents to facilitate transactions to China. These agents handle the payments by using intermediary countries such as Hong Kong to process the money. Over the past few weeks, the number of payment requests using third-country agents has increased significantly.
4. Russian Bank Branches in China
Another possible option is to use Russian banks’ branches in China. However, this method involves additional costs, as these branches sell RMB at a 5% surcharge based on the Central Bank’s exchange rate. Additionally, many Chinese companies do not accept payments from these Russian bank branches.
Import from China Background
Due to banking issues caused by Western sanctions, Russia and China may resort to barter trade in the autumn. The suspension of payments has impacted bilateral trade, and several smaller Chinese banks, particularly those near the Russian border, are restricting the conversion of rubles into yuan.
Many banks in countries trading with Russia are increasingly delaying or refusing payments, fearing secondary sanctions. To address this, during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China, both countries explored alternative payment options to circumvent sanctions.
Since June 24, the Russian subsidiary of the Bank of China has suspended all transactions with Russian banks due to U.S. sanctions. This has further complicated payment processing between the two countries.
