SPOT: new rules for the import of goods from the EAEU into Russia

From 1 June 2026, the SPOT system becomes mandatory in Russia — a system for confirming the expected supply of goods from EAEU countries.

How does it work?

A Russian importer bringing goods into Russia from EAEU countries by road transport, or by other modes of transport if such a decision is adopted by the Government of the Russian Federation, must, before crossing the border:

1. generate an electronic document on the upcoming supply (DOPP) in the SPOT system;
2. make a security payment in an amount not less than the amount of VAT and excise duties payable;
3. obtain a QR code, either in paper or electronic form, and provide it to the carrier for presentation at the border upon request by customs officers.

Deadlines for submitting the DOPP:

• no later than two calendar days before import — where a security payment is required;
• no later than four hours before import — where no security payment is required.

In a number of cases, no security payment is required, for example, when processing raw materials are imported.

Certain categories of goods are excluded from the scope of SPOT:

1. oil and electricity;
2. transit goods passing through Russia from one EAEU country to another;
3. goods for personal use, except for goods imported for the purpose of sale to individuals through electronic marketplaces, and others.

Transitional period

For goods imported from Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the security payment is temporarily not required until 1 July 2026. For supplies from Belarus, this exemption applies until 1 November 2026.

This means that, from 1 June, importers must generate the DOPP and obtain a QR code, while the obligation to make the security payment will begin to apply later.

What should businesses pay attention to?

Under the standard supply model, where goods are imported by a Russian importer, the SPOT mechanism generally does not raise questions. The main difficulties, however, arise under other supply models, for example:

• supplies through manufacturers’ own websites;
• direct sales to individuals;
• supplies of individually manufactured deliverables and works.

In this respect, the law leaves a number of open questions:

1. whether a foreign company may itself act as the applicant in SPOT;
2. whether it is mandatory to involve a Russian agent or commission agent;
3. whether SPOT applies to the result of works, rather than to “goods” in the classic sense.

Given the questions arising and the practical nuances, some businesses may shift towards air or rail supplies, since at the current stage SPOT applies only to road transport. At the same time, further extension of the system to other modes of transport cannot be ruled out.

Against the backdrop of the current practical questions, it is extremely important for companies to assess the impact of the new requirements on their logistics chains, contractual models and delivery timelines within the EAEU.

Author: Iryna Navitskaya, Sergey Suschenya.