Russian forestry products exported via additional checkpoints on border with China, Mongolia planned for extension until end of 2030

MOSCOW. Dec 16 (Interfax) - The Russian government could once again extend the export of certain types of forestry products via roadway through six additional checkpoints on the Chinese and Mongolian borders, this time until December 31, 2031, and the Industry and Trade Ministry has prepared and published the corresponding government draft resolution.

Checkpoints for the export of unprocessed wood, except for softwood and valuable hardwood, and roughly processed wood and sawn timber (Foreign Economic Activity Commodity Nomenclature (FEACN) codes 4403-4404 and 4406-4407) for different modes of transport were established in government resolution No. 521, dated July 15, 2010. Exports pass through Zabaikalsk and Kani-Kurgan along the Chinese section of the border and through Kyakhta along on the Mongolian section for roadway transport.

The government expanded the scope by five cities, namely Pogranichny, Kraskino, Markovo, Poltavka, and Turiy Rog; and two, Khandagayty and Tashanta, respectively, temporarily in April 2022 via resolution No. 747 amid Western sanctions being imposed. The measure was initially in effect until the end of 2023, then extended until the end of this year. The Industry and Trade Ministry is currently proposing amendments to resolution No. 747, extending the validity by five years.

As noted in the explanatory note to the draft, this is required to "provide support to forestry enterprises producing export-oriented goods." China is currently a key export destination for both timber and lumber from Russia.