Senior FCS Russia officials toured checkpoints of the Volga customs administration on the Russia–Kazakhstan border, reviewing infrastructure readiness for control under the advance cargo information system (SPOT) and plans for upgrading border facilities. Source: FCS Russia.
The delegation was led by FCS head Valery Pikalev and included deputy head Agepsim Ashkalov, directors of central departments and Volga customs administration chief Viktor Nikulin. They inspected eight crossings in the Samara and Saratov customs districts: Orsk, Svetly, Komsomolsky, Sagarchin, Ilek, Teploe, Mashtakovo and Ozinki.
Mashtakovo and Sagarchin carry the heaviest summer traffic when imports of fruit and vegetables rise: on average, more than 1,000 and about 500 trucks pass through them daily. Developing infrastructure and technology to relieve these routes is a priority for the service.
At the sites, Pikalev reviewed clearance arrangements and met Rosgranstroy representatives to discuss steps that would speed up border crossing and customs checks under SPOT procedures.
Mobile teams were also on the agenda: the FCS head checked how duties were performed and confirmed that goods imports under the new system are processed promptly. Staff raised service conditions and material support.
Closing the visit, Pikalev thanked the heads of the Volga administration and the Samara and Saratov customs offices for organising work under the federal SPOT law and praised mobile-team officers for helping carriers adapt to the new algorithms.