АУРУС Логистик

Every day in stores across the country, we see bananas, but few consider the complex journey they undertake. Customs clearance of bananas at the port of St. Petersburg is a process requiring special knowledge, speed, and flawless preparation, as any delay can cost the entire shipment. In this article, the experts at AURUS Logistic share current information and practical experience on this procedure.

Step 1: Correct Classification and HS Code

The first step is the precise identification of the goods. Fresh bananas are classified under the HS Code 0803901000. This formality is critically important as the code determines the duty rates and applicable control measures.

Step 2: Calculating Customs Payments (Current for 2025)

The cost of customs clearance consists of several components:

Import Duty: The standard rate is 4% of the customs value, but not less than €0.015 per kg.
VAT: A 20% rate applies to bananas, a key difference from most other fruits which are subject to a preferential 10% VAT.
Customs Fees: As of January 1, 2025, updated rates for customs operations fees are in effect. The amount depends on the total value of the shipment.

Important Forecast: In 2025, there is active discussion about temporarily zeroing the import duty on bananas, recognizing them as a socially significant product. At AURUS Logistic, we are closely monitoring these developments as they could significantly reduce costs for our clients.

Step 3: Interaction with Regulatory Authorities

Customs clearance at the Great Port of St. Petersburg involves working not only with customs but also with Rosselkhoznadzor (the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision).

Baltic Customs

The main posts handling such cargo are "Bronka," "Lesnoy Port," and "Ugolnaya Gavan." Their operating hours from 9:00 to 21:00 ensure the swift processing of perishable goods.

Phytosanitary Control (Rosselkhoznadzor)

A unique feature of bananas is that they **do not require a phytosanitary certificate** from the exporting country. However, control is still mandatory: the producer must be in the Rosselkhoznadzor register, and an inspector's presence is required during the cargo inspection.

Step 4: Preparing the Document Package

A pre-prepared set of documents is key to successful and fast clearance:

Declaration of Conformity TR CU: Confirms the product is safe and complies with regulations on food safety and labeling.
Foreign Trade Contract with the supplier.
Invoice and Packing List.
Transport Documents (Bill of Lading).
Certificate of Origin (to confirm the duty rate).

Success Secrets from AURUS Logistic

The key to success, which we have developed over the years, is a proactive approach.

Proactive Work. Given that bananas cannot be stored at a temporary storage warehouse for more than 3 days, we begin preparing for declaration before the vessel even docks.
Electronic Declaring. Submitting the declaration through the Baltic Electronic Declaration Center reduces the clearance time to 1-2 days.
A Reliable Partner. An experienced customs representative like AURUS Logistic takes on all the risks of communicating with government agencies, ensuring accuracy in goods classification and document preparation.

Conclusion: Banana customs clearance is a high-precision operation where the cost of an error is the entire shipment. Entrust this task to professionals to keep your business running smoothly.