Russia Implements New Regulations for Exporters from Armenia Starting June 1

The State Revenue Committee informs participants in external economic activities, particularly exporters, about the launch of new regulations in the Russian Federation regarding the SPOT system, effective June 1, 2026.

What Changes for Armenian Exporters
Starting June 1, 2026, a full-fledged goods delivery expectation confirmation system (СПОТ) will operate in the Russian Federation. This system pertains to the circulation of goods imported from EAEU member states, including the Republic of Armenia, by road transport into Russia.

Although the obligations under the SPOT system are officially carried by the Russian importer (the declarant), the system will directly influence Armenian exporters to Russia. Without the document confirming the delivery expectation established in Russia and the corresponding QR code, goods cannot be physically imported into the Russian territory.

Participants in the System
The SPOT system includes the following participant groups:
- Declarants (заявители) – These are entities from the Russian Federation who prepare and submit a document (ДОПП) in advance. They are essentially Russian partner organizations and individual entrepreneurs importing goods from other EAEU countries (including Armenia) into Russia.
- Transporters (перевозчики) – Those who transport goods from other EAEU countries to Russia. Armenian exporters (transporters) are also included in this category. The tax authority of Russia will act as the operator of the SPOT system, while the customs authority will serve as the regulatory body.

Which Goods Are Covered by SPOT
The system applies to goods imported into Russia from EAEU member states via road transport. The Government of the Russian Federation may later expand the regulation to include other types of transport. SPOT does not apply to the following categories:
- Cash
- Oil
- Electricity
- Personal items for individual use.

How the System Will Operate
As a general rule, the declarant (the Russian partner) is obliged to:
- Prepare the ДОПП electronic document confirming the intention to accept the goods no later than 2 calendar days before the import.
- Make a non-cash security payment in rubles no later than 2 calendar days before the import, equal to at least the amount of indirect taxes due.
- Receive a visible link (QR code) attributed to the ДОПП and send it to the supplier or transporter (in the case of Armenia, to the Armenian exporter or cargo transporter).
If the entire volume of goods specified in the ДОПП is not imported during one shipment, the Russian counterparty must submit a new ДОПП for the remaining quantity and also pass a new QR code to the exporter/shipper.

Practical Advice for Armenian Exporters
Although the Russian importer holds the responsibility for preparing the ДОПП and making the security payment, Armenian exporters should consider several practical aspects to adapt to the new regulations:
- Review Delivery Timeline: Considering the ДОПП must be prepared at least 2 days before the importation, delivery planning should become more predictable. Urgent shipments may become problematic. It is advisable to discuss the new regulations with Russian partners (buyers) before June 1, 2026.
- Information Exchange with Russian Partners: Exporters should timely and accurately provide all product information (name, quantity, price, etc.) so that the Russian importer can correctly prepare the ДОПП.
- Obtaining the QR Code Before Arriving at the Russian Border: The transporter must have the QR code before approaching the Russian border; hence, the exporter is responsible for receiving it from the importer and passing it to the transporter. Without the QR code, transporting goods into Russia will not be possible.
- Regulating Relationships with Transporters: It is advisable to include clauses in transportation contracts that address the responsibility of parties in case of losses resulting from the absence of the ДОПП or incorrect information.