What to do if a parcel with a smartphone is detained at customs

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Back in December 2015, the first reports appeared that the customs did not allow some parcels with smartphones to pass. Why is this happening and what to do in such a situation? Let's tell you now.

Problem

There are more frequent reports (for example, the first, second, third and fourth) that the Russian customs service prevents the receipt of smartphones purchased abroad. It happens like this: along with the parcel, a customs notification comes in about the lack of notification of the smartphone in the EAEU. The parcel is not given out and it is suggested to contact the customs officers. And they, in turn, refuse to issue customs documents.

According to the Decision of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission dated April 21, 2015 No. 30 (as amended on November 17, 2015) "On measures of non-tariff regulation" for the import of smartphones and some other devices, such as walkie-talkies, radio transmitters, computers, server systems, the so-called notification of registration in the register of encryption devices. We will not go into legal subtleties, but we will give an example. A factory-equipped Android or iOS smartphone is not subject to these documents, but the presence of Telegram, What’sApp and similar programs installed on it, not to mention various encryptors and Tor clients, immediately transfers the gadget to the category of special devices. It will not be easy to get such a smartphone, since for legally sold devices, the notification is still provided by the manufacturer. It guarantees the invariability of the encryption algorithms specified in the document until the specified date, and this notification is sufficient for all mailings.

Most brands that do not officially trade in Russia do not have such documents. Therefore, almost any package with a gadget from such a manufacturer can be delayed.

Solution

Method one

The simplest algorithm of actions in this case was suggested by one of the users of w3bsit3-dns.com. According to him, when a parcel is detained due to problems with customs, it is put into a bag, sealed and a package of documents is issued for communication with customs authorities. Any manipulations of postal employees with the specified parcel are possible only with the approval of the customs authorities. More often this happens when the allowed duty-free monthly import limit is exceeded, but it can also happen due to the lack of notification on the territory of Russia. In the latter case, the following algorithm works.

Instead of heading to customs, we open the mail client and write a letter to the FSB - it is for this organization that notifications exist. Before sending, you must collect the following package of documents:

1. Bank statement with a stamp confirming payment for the goods.
2. Application (form).
3. Description of the phone (manufacturer, model, characteristics, indication of the operating system version).
4. Confirmation of an order from the store in the form of screenshots.
5. Scanned first and second pages of the passport.
6. Customs Notice.

All documents must be assembled into a PDF file. A letter with him must be sent to the address [email protected] and / or through the web reception on the website fsb.ru.

Email header

Text of the letter

The service has the right to respond within a month. Although, according to the messages of those who applied, everything is happening much faster.

Further, the received documents, along with those that were sent to the FSB, are taken to customs (do not forget to take the mail notification). There, according to the established model, it is necessary to write an explanation, which, together with a complete package of documents, is handed over to the customs inspector. After some time, the workers will put the stamp "Import allowed" on the mail notification. After that, you can easily receive your purchase at the post office.

Method two

You can contact the company that is registering the notification. Google will help you find the nearest one, but you can also refer to one of our list:

• Minpromtest;
• "Certificate. Moscow";
• Center for Licensing, Certification and Protection of State Secrets of the FSB of Russia;
• IFCG;
• RadioCert.

Such offices will do everything themselves, all that remains is to show the documents at customs and pick up the parcel. However, it will cost a lot - about 10-15 thousand rubles. This is not surprising: brands and companies are their customers, so they are unlikely to want to reduce the cost of a rather lengthy procedure. After all, if one phone received a notification, then it applies to all devices of this model.

Prevention

Buy only smartphones that are officially notified in Russia. It is known for sure that such brands as Xiaomi, Meizu, Doogee have notifications. There are problems with the importation of HomTom (although it is a subsidiary of Doogee) and Oukitel. You can clarify the availability of notification for a particular model here.

Hope our guide can help you get your purchase. If a similar incident happened to you, tell us about it in the comments.