Russia tightens control of hauler permits

Russia will increase fines early in May, which may disrupt business.

“We do not have any big troubles with the Russians, at least for the meantime. However, Russia has passed new laws and larger fines will come into effect. We are anxious and are looking where the things are going,” Mečislovas Atroškevičius, chairman of the Cargo Transport Council at the national road carriers' association Linava and the director of the transport company Mečys, told the daily.

Belarus started checking haulers at the instruction of Russia, another member of Eastern customs union. If there are any suspicions as to the use of permits, Belarus diverts the carriers to Russia’s transport supervision service, which then decides whether the permit complies with the type of haulage.

Lithuania’s and Russia’s views on the use of permits differ considerably. Lithuania believes that bilateral permits can be used when carrying any cargo from the terminals located in Lithuania’s territory. Meanwhile, Russia believes that the origin of goods should be taken into account: for example, if goods come from Spain, a trilateral permit should be used and bilateral permits are only valid for goods produced in Lithuania.