The Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is encouraging Philippine exporters to sell to Russia and take advantage of its preferential tariffs under the Eurasian Economic Union Generalized System of Preferences or EAEU GSP.

The Eurasian Economic Union is an international organization for regional economic integration. The Member-States of the Eurasian Economic Union are the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation.

Products covered by the EAEU GSP are eligible for a 25-percent discount on customs duties. These would include food products like meat, fish, fruits, coffee, cacao, coconut products, sauces and condiments; furniture. gifts and houseware like articles of wood, basket ware, artificial flowers, statuettes, ceramics and imitation jewelry, as well as industrial goods like natural rubber. These products can also enjoy tariff preference in other EAEU member states.

In the light of the COVID19 pandemic, the EAEU has allowed for the submission of an electronic or paper copy of Certificate of Origin (CO) Form A which the exporter needs to provide the Russian importer in order to avail of the preferential tariff. The exporter will be given 6 months from the date of registration of the declaration of goods to submit the original CO Form A to the customs authority.

Philippine exports to Russia increased by 18.81% from $86.07 million in 2018 to $102.26 million in 2019. Top exports consisted of industrial products like electronics, ignition wiring sets, activated carbon, new pneumatic tyres and watches as well as agricultural products such as desiccated coconuts, carrageenan and other fruits and nuts.

Bananas, avocados, mangoes, pineapples and papaws are among the Philippines’ top fruit exports to Russia.

For inquiries please email mariajaenagoaco@dti.gov.ph.