Metinvest, the largest Ukrainian mining and metal
holding company, has reported that controls by Russian customs on its steel
products supplied to the Russian market have increased from August 13th,
2013.
Extra weighing is now carried out by Russian
customs on all incoming steel, whereas previously only certain incoming
consignments were selected and examined. Extra checks are also carried out on
customs documentation, including certificates of origin, with documentation
being sent to Moscow for examination.
Previously, Metinvest noted, the origin of its
products was never doubted.
The Ukrainian Employers' Federation has stated
that from August 14th Russian customs officers have been inspecting all
products from Ukraine.
In particular, the weighing of all products blocks
the supply of Ukrainian products.
According to the federation, such checks will
continue until the end of September, resulting in huge losses.
The
Ukrainian government is considering complaining to the World Trade Organization
about Russia's denial of customs clearance to some Ukrainian goods, according
to Ukrainian Economic Development and Trade Minister Ihor Prasolov.