The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation has requested a postponement of the implementation of new regulations that tighten control over freight transportation. As CCI Head Sergey Katyrin explained, complying with these requirements will demand significant expenditures from freight forwarding companies and carriers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
The issue concerns amendments to the Law “On Freight Forwarding Activities”. The bill mandates that companies inspect transported cargo, which is feasible only through expensive equipment such as cargo X-ray scanner frames. The cost of a single scanner starts at 300 million rubles, and Russian-made equivalents are not yet manufactured. To maintain continuous operations, a single company would require at least 2–3 such units.
Beyond the scanner frames themselves, freight forwarders will need to establish warehouses where this equipment can be installed. They will also require access roads, truck parking areas, and trained personnel to perform the inspections. These expenditures could drive up freight rates, leading to higher prices for end consumers as well.
The CCI suggests granting companies more time for preparation, as well as developing cost compensation mechanisms for small and medium-sized businesses. This would help prevent severe market disruptions and avoid creating additional hurdles for enterprise.