Originally funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, FRAEC developed the CLEAR-PAC software system to integrate Russian Customs and the trade community for an expedited, efficient and transparent customs clearance process in Russia.

 

This system, endorsed by Russian Federal Customs and still in operation in the Russian Far East, allows customs required documents to be electronically transferred to Russian Customs and processed prior to cargo arrival. The result is a significant reduction in the customs clearance time from several days to one day or less.

 

Unique Features

•   Uses electronic documents for paperless advanced preliminary customs clearance.
•   Facilitates secured electronic data exchange between Russian Customs and customs brokers.
•   Provides a secured Internet tool connecting exporters to the customs clearance process in Russia.

History

In June 1995, U.S. and Russian private sector representatives presented a proposal to the U.S. West Coast-Russian Far East Ad Hoc Working Group (now renamed to the Russian American Pacific Partnerhsip) to assess the feasibility of reducing the customs clearance time by providing Russian Customs with advanced electronic copies of required shipping documents.

The following year, CLEAR-PAC was established based on this proposal.

Pilots in Vladivostok, Vostochny, and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk validated this concept and confirmed the need to develop a software system to fully automate the process. Creation of CLEAR-PAC’s multi-modular system began in 2000, first with the development of the Import Module, followed by the Transit Module and Internet Gateway System in 2002. The modules are now being used on an experimental basis in the original pilot ports in the Russian Far East.