Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Complete Transition To Digital Transport Documents

Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan have completed the transition to digital transport documents, according to Bakytzhan Sagintayev, the Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) has said.

According to 2024 data, the volume of cargo transportation using electronic documents between Russia and Belarus reached 90%, and between Russia and Kazakhstan, 79%. Test shipments are also being carried out using electronic consignment notes with China. The digitalisation of this aspect of the logistics industry simplifies customs procedures and improves the ease of conducting imports and exports trade in the Eurasian Economic Union.

Sagintayev said that “The issues of Eurasian economic integration are primarily trade, investment, development of transport infrastructure, creation of a common exchange space, improvement of competition, formation of common oil and gas markets, and development of markets for medicines and medical products. The acceleration of the digitalisation of freight and rail transportation within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and with third countries has commenced with Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia have already switched to digital transport documents.” This just leaves Armenia and Kyrgyzstan to reach digital compliance within the EAEU bloc.

Sagintayev also mentioned that since the end of last year, an agreement on cooperation in rail transportation has been in force between Russia and China, which, among other things, provides for the transition to electronic waybills. He said that “At the end of 2024, mutual test shipments using an electronic consignment note were launched. It is planned to gradually expand the geography of transportation in a new format. The introduction of digital tools simplifies procedures and reduces costs for businesses, ensuring maximum acceleration of the movement of goods.”

Now, the emphasis has moved to the transition to electronic shipping documents.