Growing trade and strengthened cooperation among CIS countries (including Uzbekistan and the Republic of Belarus) drive the need for higher quality and service standards in international transportation. To this end, trading companies and carriers increasingly rely on surveying inspections. These are independent assessments ensuring technical control over the condition and quantity of cargo throughout its journey—from sorting and loading at the origin warehouse to transportation and unloading at the final destination. Surveying services include cargo inspection and evaluation of storage and handling conditions.
Surveying in CIS Countries
During inspections, surveyors act as impartial experts, not favoring any party’s interests. They provide an objective and accurate assessment of cargo condition, noting defects, damages, or other issues, and document all findings in an official report.
Survey inspections are used for all transport modes but are most common in maritime shipments. They may focus on the cargo itself (assessing its condition and quality) or on the conditions under which it is stored or transported.
The primary document resulting from a survey is the inspection report or certificate, which can serve as court-admissible evidence in case of disputes. Inspections are carried out by independent, highly qualified specialists with relevant technical education in the inspected field.
Surveying is essential for identifying damage, verifying cargo quality and quantity, and preventing financial losses during transit. It also includes advising parties to international transactions, especially when transporting oversized or hazardous goods. Surveying covers all stages of production:
- PPI (Pre-Production Inspection): Conducted before mass production begins. The main goal is to verify the quality of raw materials, components, and assess production readiness.
- DPI (During Production Inspection): Performed at an early production stage to detect defects promptly and adjust the process. It examines semi-finished and finished goods, production lines, packaging, and labeling.
- PSI (Pre-Shipment Inspection): Organized just before goods are shipped to the buyer. It includes cross-checking against shipping documents, verifying compliance with standards and certificates, assessing packaging, labeling, and container integrity. If needed, samples are taken for additional laboratory testing in certified facilities.
Surveyors also conduct veterinary inspections and verify customs declarations and other documentation required for goods shipped to other CIS countries, such as Belarus or Uzbekistan.
Inspections in the Republic of Belarus
Goods imported into Belarus require a documentation package that includes:
- Waybills, contracts, and invoices confirming the value and transfer of goods.
- Quality compliance documents (certificates of conformity or declarations valid within the Eurasian Economic Union).
- Proof of actual export from Russia to apply the 0% VAT rate. Upon import into Belarus, the buyer must pay import VAT and indirect taxes.
- Certain goods require veterinary permits, and suppliers must be listed in a dedicated registry. Coffee, watches, and footwear must bear mandatory identification marks.
Radio-electronic equipment, weapons, toxic, and chemical substances are prohibited from import. Surveying companies monitor compliance with these regulations to prevent customs or tax issues and ensure lawful cargo movement across the EAEU border between Russia and Belarus. This also enables application of the 0% VAT rate, maintaining competitiveness.
For shipments to Belarus, a contract specifying the total supply limit is required. It is important to note that this limit applies to the entire contract—not individual deliveries. The contract must also state payment terms (full or partial prepayment, or post-delivery payment). If the transaction exceeds €3,000, it must be registered with a bank prior to payment or shipment. Registration requires:
- Submitting a signed scanned copy of the contract to the bank.
- Filling out a registration application.
When importing goods into certain countries, including the Republic of Belarus, mandatory identification marks confirming lawful import must also be affixed. Independent inspectors oversee timely submission of all required documentation to regulatory authorities.
Inspections in Uzbekistan
Surveying inspections in Uzbekistan cover cargo, fruits, and vegetables. Exporting goods to this country requires preparation of the following documents:
- Foreign trade contract and agreement with terms;
- Commercial invoice;
- Proof of transaction value with parties’ details;
- Packing list specifying weight, packaging, and product names;
- Transport waybill confirming shipment;
- Conformity certificates;
- Sanitary and veterinary certificates and other documents depending on the product.
Since the Republic of Uzbekistan is not part of the EAEU, exporters must file a customs declaration. Russian companies using the general taxation system apply a 0% VAT rate on exported goods. Additional advantages of trading with Uzbek companies include:
- No language barrier;
- Ability to settle payments in national currencies;
- Convenient transport options by rail, truck, or air.
Both countries share similar quality standards, allowing many products to be legalized through simplified procedures. Major Russian online marketplaces—Wildberries and Ozon—also operate in Uzbekistan, as in Belarus.
Our Services
Our company specializes in independent cargo inspections and offers comprehensive surveying and quality control services for bulk, bagged, and containerized goods in export and import operations. We organize inspections across the CIS for a wide range of goods and assets, including:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables;
- Food products;
- Liquid and dry bulk cargo;
- Containers;
- Marine and river vessels;
- Consolidation and storage warehouses;
- Pledged property.
We provide cargo insurance and escort services, shielding clients from risks and concerns while goods are in transit. We also offer customs support for international shipments moving across Russian territory to the border and designated customs clearance points. Thanks to our experience and established contacts, we ensure swift border crossings and error-free documentation—preventing delays or even cargo seizure.
We conduct survey inspections evaluating storage and transport conditions, as well as quantitative and qualitative cargo characteristics. Inspections can be arranged at any stage of delivery—within Russia or in other countries such as Belarus or Uzbekistan. We recount, weigh, and measure goods, comparing actual data with documentation. We also inspect cargo at customs checkpoints. All procedures are documented with photo and video evidence, which is attached to the final report.
Operating in the inspection services market since 2009, we maintain representative offices on all five continents and have a proven track record of successful surveying activities abroad. We employ modern research methods and equipment to deliver accurate data and perform work promptly to avoid delays—especially critical for high-value or perishable shipments. Detailed information and inspection requests can be submitted by phone or via the online form on our website. We provide consultations on all questions of interest and offer cost estimates for our services.
