EEC Defines Volume Limits on Bunker Fuel Transported as Vessel Stores

The EEC has capped the volume of bunker fuel that vessels can transport outside the EEU.

The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) says it has capped the volume of bunker fuel that vessels can transport as vessel stores across the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), PortNews IAA reports.

For vessels that were bunkered in the EEU area less than 30 days prior to crossing the border, permitted volumes as stores are said to be limited to a vessel's actual consumption since being bunkered.

For those bunkered within the EEU area more than 30 days prior to crossing, volumes permitted as stores are said to be limited to the vessel's bunker tanks' capacity.

In support of the new rules, EEC's Board is reported to have set a list of data to be provided when declaring bunker fuel as stores and defined method of calculation.

The announcement comes following news last month that Baltic custom authorities' uncovered a bunker fuel scheme in which more than 12,000 tonnes of fuel was illegally exported outside the territory of the EEU as stores in order to avoid payment of custom fees.

"The decision sets quite a simple and clear mechanism for calculation of bunker amount allowed for moving outside EEU without placing under the customs procedures and payment of customs dues," said Mukai Kadyrkulov, EEC Board member and Minister in charge of Customs Cooperation.

"The decision will eliminate the former problems caused by absence of clear regulations and faced by all officials involved in the process when checking and confirming the amount of bunker declared as stores and supposed for moving outside EEU."

Kadyrkulov stressed that the new rules do not limit the amount of bunkers that can cross the border, noting that volumes beyond those that can be designated as vessel stores are free to cross the boarder one appropriate customs procedures and payments for customs dues have been completed.