Grain and Import Proposals: What Will the New Customs Checkpoint in the Occupied Berdiansk Deliver?

Russia is opening a customs checkpoint at the port of Berdiansk on the occupied territory of the Zaporizhia region of Ukraine to expedite the export of grain and other goods, reports NewsBox.

The Russian government has adopted a decision to establish a customs checkpoint at the Berdyansky seaport, located in the annexed territory of the Zaporizhia region of Ukraine. The official decree from President Vladimir Putin, in agreement with Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev, was signed on December 12, 2024, according to Rbk.

As stated in the document, the governor of the Zaporizhia region, appointed by Russia, Evgeny Balitsky, proposed to the Ministry to expedite the establishment of the customs checkpoint in Berdiansk and to finance it from the federal budget back in October 2024.

Savelyev confirmed that the government, in cooperation with the occupation administration, has begun working on coordinating the deployment of state control personnel in the port. The presidential decree is to be implemented by August 8, 2025.

Currently, customs clearance for exports from the Berdiansk port is carried out through the Federal Customs Service of the Krasnodar Krai. This scheme, according to Balitsky, causes significant delays and increases transportation costs due to the complexity of dealings with foreign buyers in the new Russian territories.

The creation of a customs checkpoint in Berdiansk is expected to accelerate the process of cargo clearance, reduce the turnaround time for vessels, and facilitate direct shipping routes to foreign ports. It could also attract ships flying foreign flags and simplify the import of goods such as fruits, potatoes, and produce from Egypt, as well as cement and construction materials from Turkey.