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 13 this year.
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 14 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 (WTO) about Russia's denial of customs clearance to some Ukrainian goods, according to Ukrainian Economic Development and Trade Minister Ihor Prasolov.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has ordered the setting up of a working group to examine a wide range of issues in Ukrainian-Russian relations, Minister Prasolov said.