On July 25, 2025, an important meeting was held at the Federal Customs Service (FCS) of Russia, dedicated to discussing measures to combat the illicit trafficking of tobacco products within the EAEU. The event was chaired by Oleg Galinurovich Gubaidulin, Deputy Head of the FCS.
During the meeting, Oleg Galinurovich expressed readiness to focus on concrete actions and the development of algorithms, while expecting detailed proposals from business representatives on further steps.
One of the key issues raised was the practice of split shipments, a trend involving the use of passenger vehicles instead of cargo trucks. This allows violators to evade sealing requirements and minimize losses in case of vehicle inspections. The problem of split shipments reflects the complex situation in the EAEU market, where goods can quickly move across territories.
Meeting participants emphasized that combating such micro-channels requires gathering information on planned shipments and vehicles used, as well as ensuring rapid response from authorities within 48 hours. Representatives from Vlasta-Consulting expressed readiness to collect data but stressed the need for prompt action, as outdated information significantly reduces the effectiveness of efforts to curb illicit tobacco trafficking.
At the end of the meeting, it was proposed to establish direct 24/7 communication channels with the FCS to enable faster responses to emerging threats.
All participants expressed hope for continued cooperation to achieve stability and legality in the EAEU tobacco market.
