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Russian customs service says no alternative to destroying sanctioned goods

The joint efforts of state authorities are aimed at preventing imports of prohibited products to Russia

KHABAROVSK, August 12. /TASS/. Russian customs service has said that sanctioned goods brought to the country will be destroyed, and there is no alternative to this.

The joint efforts of state authorities are aimed at preventing imports of prohibited products to Russia, chief customs inspector Elena Popova said on Wednesday after a meeting of customs officers and representatives of regional departments of Russia’s consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor and agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor.

"Participants in the meeting stated that there is no alternative to actions of federal agencies in case of importing sanctioned goods. If such goods could be transported from the territory of the Russian Federation before, from 6 August 2015 they are subject to destruction. So, entrepreneurs should understand very clearly that there are no other options but to destroy sanctioned goods," Popova said.

Participants also noted that joint efforts of authorities are aimed at preventing imports of sanctioned goods through existing checkpoints, and this contributes to strengthening Russia’s economic security in general, Popova added.

Customs officers say that most frequent violations include false classification of goods and false reports about the country of origin, hiding goods from customs control or importing them under the pretext that they are meant for personal use.

On July 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree ordered the Federal Customs Service, agriculture watchdog and consumer rights watchdog to destroy all products on its sanctions list the moment they enter Russian territory. Over 500 tons of sanctions goods have been destroyed since August 6.