Russian Customs tests pre-clearance

摘要

Russian Customs generally prefers to develop information technology from within, but it's not averse to looking to the private sector for help. The agency recently asked New Jersey-based firm, AmeRussia Shipping Co., to initiate a program to pre-clear imports from certain approved American shippers. Russian Customs will test the program, Transatlantic Streamline, with the first shipments this summer. Since the early 1990s, cumbersome customs procedures have made it difficult for shippers to do business in Russia. "They're still a deterrent for trade," said Richard Shannon, president and founder of AmeRussia.