31.07.2026 Regulation #EAEU #Import #Logistics

EAEU makes navigation seals mandatory for all road transit from July 31

On July 31, 2026, the five member states of the Eurasian Economic Union — Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia — entered the second stage of the cargo-tracking system based on navigation seals, according to the Eurasian Economic Commission. At the same time, the EEC Council updated the list of goods and conditions exempt from seal-based tracking.

Scope expansion at each stage

The first stage, in force since February 11, 2026, covered sanctioned goods and select excisable goods (alcohol, tobacco) transported by road and rail, clothing, footwear and appliances under customs transit by road, and nicotine-containing products exported from the union.

From July 31, 2026, coverage expands further: customs transit of all categories of goods carried by road transport now falls under seal tracking, along with select "tax-intensive" categories — clothing, footwear and household appliances — moved by rail, the EEC states in the release.

Exemptions and carrier requirements

The list of goods exempt from navigation-seal tracking during customs transit was set by EEC Council Decision No. 71 of July 9, 2026, which replaced the earlier Council Decision No. 147 of December 12, 2023, according to Alta.ru. The most significant change concerns Item 16 of the List: an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) can now qualify for the exemption only if it simultaneously acts as the carrier along the entire route, and only if the vehicles used are registered in EAEU member states. The previous exemption for goods arriving from Belarus has been removed.

What it means for business

For importers, exporters and customs brokers relying on road transport, the second stage means that virtually any transit cargo moving by road within the union must now be accompanied by a navigation seal, regardless of the product category. Companies shipping clothing, footwear or appliances by rail need to factor the sealing procedure into their logistics planning and delivery timelines. AEOs counting on the Item 16 exemption should review their carriage contracts, since the relief now applies only when the operator is the carrier for the full route and uses vehicles registered within the EAEU.

Timing and transition

Decision No. 71 formally takes effect on August 8, 2026, but applies to legal relations arising from July 31, 2026 — the actual start date of the second stage, Alta.ru notes. The updated Item 16 exemption itself is time-limited: it applies through December 31, 2027, inclusive, after which the exemption conditions will need to be revisited.

Primary sources

This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice or customs consulting. Verify changes against the primary sources before acting.