Certification - Kyrgyzstan or Russia?
A question that many importers have doubts about and keep thinking over. Here is what our experience says about which is better and what nuances there may be.
In a nutshell:
- Kyrgyzstan is cheaper and easier
- Russia is more expensive and harder
Getting documents issued in Kyrgyzstan really does cost less, and for those who count every ruble in a shipment, this can have a positive effect on the shipment cost.
The process itself is often simpler and faster too. For example, where a DoC/CoC requires importing samples into Russia, in Kyrgyzstan there is no such need, and so on.
At first glance it all looks great, and it is a good opportunity to save money and lower the cost of shipping goods to Russia...
In mid-2025, the media started writing widely about inspections and mass suspensions of certificates issued in Kyrgyzstan.
Later, a Russian Government resolution gave Rosaccreditation the power to suspend EAEU CoCs and DoCs when Russian customs (FCS) data does not confirm that samples were imported, and in general to audit product documentation right during the release of the customs declaration.
By now, Rosaccreditation has already suspended all CoCs and DoCs issued by a number of certification bodies in Kyrgyzstan. The rest are being checked.
Our experience
Last year, we at MATE were still getting CoCs from Kyrgyzstan for some orders, and so far there has been no news of any of them being suspended.
However, a couple of days ago we received a letter about the annual inspection. Here is the message we received from the certification body, word for word:
Good afternoon, attached is the Notice of the annual Inspection.
The cost is 55,000 rubles; if you refuse, the certificate will be revoked
We will attach a screenshot of the letter itself to the post...
As a result, the importer who managed to save money at first has to bear sudden costs to keep selling the goods - the savings did not pay off over time.
Back to getting documents issued in Russia
If we agree that saving money on a DoC/CoC in Kyrgyzstan is a roulette with a clear and obvious tendency toward sudden cost increases, the only question left is how hard the paperwork is.
Yes, getting documents issued is not always easy or pleasant. Importing samples alone is a whole series of steps before the paperwork can even begin. There are also a number of nuances in preparing the document package for customs clearance, where the information in the CoC/DoC plays an important role in getting the declaration released - in import, everything is connected.
The final decision is up to each of us.
Since the beginning of this year, when arranging shipments from China for our clients, we issue and use only CoCs/DoCs from certification bodies (CBs) in Russia, and this gives our clients a number of advantages:
- Our client is not burdened with importing samples, collecting documents and information for the CB, or other routine work
- A CoC/DoC issued to our company can be freely used by the client when reselling and selling the goods. Conversely, a CoC/DoC the client already has can be freely used by us for customs clearance
- The client is protected from sudden costs of CB inspections, which have to be paid for the certificate to stay valid
- Our certification specialists try to offer the best terms for a CoC/DoC, both in price and in how it is issued
For consultations and orders for compliant import, our managers are here - Ivan and Alexander