Russian companies are reporting significant delays in the delivery of goods from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and Armenia due to a marked tightening of customs checks. The restrictions primarily affect dual-use products, electronics, and auto parts, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to Russian media.
Market participants state they are already incurring financial losses and are being forced to explore alternative logistics routes. According to Alexey Razumovsky, Commercial Director of the company Impaya Rus, additional barriers have emerged at customs points in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and Armenia. At present, Belarus remains the only country from which deliveries are not being delayed.
The most substantial delays are occurring along transit routes through Kazakhstan. As noted by Alexey Tarapovsky, founder of Anderida Financial Group, shipments that previously took 10 to 30 days from Kazakhstan now require up to one and a half months for delivery.
Alexey Ivanov, owner of the company Alliance Trucks, reported that electronics have been impacted the most, although issues are also arising with other categories, particularly auto components. Olga Shoall, Commercial Director of Novasmart, added that dual-use goods are under particularly strict scrutiny.
Shoall stated that the increased restrictions are due to intensified Western sanctions, a 30% average increase in transit volumes in 2024, and efforts to combat so-called “gray” import schemes.
In light of these delivery disruptions, businesses are exploring other supply routes, including those through Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Mongolia, according to Anastasia Prikladova, Associate Professor at the Department of International Business of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics.
Such difficulties may lead to temporary shortages of certain product categories, especially electronics and spare parts. Experts predict that retail prices could rise by approximately 10%.
Vadim Filatov, Co-founder of the logistics company PEK, noted that transport companies are losing up to 20,000 rubles per day due to customs delays. According to him, logistics costs have already increased by 25% year-over-year.
Earlier we wrote that Inter RAO cuts power exports by 4% amid drop in China deliveries.