Chestny Znak labelling
Chestny Znak (“Honest Sign”) is Russia’s mandatory labelling of certain goods with unique Data Matrix codes.
What is Chestny Znak?
“Chestny Znak” is Russia’s national system of mandatory product labelling (footwear, clothing, perfume, tyres and more) with unique Data Matrix codes. The importer must apply the codes before the goods are placed on the market — often before customs clearance.
Unlabelled goods cannot be sold legally, and both customs and online marketplaces check for it. If your products fall into a labelled group, applying the codes at your factory is usually the cheapest option.
How it works in practice
The importer must apply Chestny Znak codes before the goods are released into free circulation. We can organise labelling at any of three points: at the supplier’s factory (the codes are ordered in the system in advance), at the consolidation warehouse in Europe, or at a customs warehouse in Russia before the release declaration is lodged.
The price of a code is fixed; the main cost is the labour of applying and scanning labels. The list of product groups grows every year, so we check the requirements as at the date of import, not by the previous shipment.
Chestny Znak: frequently asked questions
Which goods must be labelled on import?
Clothing and textiles, footwear, perfume, tyres, cameras, dairy products, water, beer, food supplements, antiseptics, certain categories of electronics and other groups — the list is extended every year. We check the product by TN VED code in the Chestny Znak system.
Is it cheaper to label abroad or in Russia?
At the factory is cheapest, if the supplier is prepared to work with the codes. At the consolidation warehouse is a compromise: quality control of labelling and no delays at customs. In Russia at a customs warehouse is more expensive, but suits cases where the decision to label was taken late.
What happens if unlabelled goods are imported?
Customs will not release the consignment into free circulation; the goods will have to be labelled at a temporary storage or customs warehouse, with storage charges, or shipped back. Selling unlabelled goods means fines and confiscation.
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