Third country air transshipment service to Russia

It’s still possible to ship goods or parcels to Russia via thirdcountry transshipment (air or ground), though direct routes from sanctioned countries (e.g. U.S. or EU) are largely blocked. Logistics firms reroute shipments through intermediaries in countries that still maintain commercial relations with Russia. Here’s how it typically works:

Air Transshipment via Third Countries

Cargo is first sent to a third country (e.g. Turkey, UAE, Kazakhstan, Georgia, or CIS states like Kyrgyzstan), then transferred onward to Russia via local carriers or freight forwarders.

This route avoids direct sanctions hitting EU/U.S.

Some thirdcountry providers (especially in UAE or Turkey) offer consolidated air freight and customs support for commercial cargo shipments

Why Third Country Transit Is Common

Sanctions compliance: Many direct paths from EU or U.S. are blocked; thirdcountry intermediaries enable routing via nonsanctioned carriers or intermediaries

Established networks: Logistics hubs in Turkey, UAE, Kazakhstan, or Georgia are set up to handle Russianbound freight, with local customs knowhow and delivery methods.

Package forwarding services: Widely used parcel forwarders (e.g. CDEK, UkayExpress) consolidate small shipments through hubs, then forward to Russia—users confirm these still function, albeit slower (~2–4 weeks)

Third Country Air Transshipment Methods

What You Need to Do

Identify your origin (country of dispatch) and destination city/region in Russia.

Select a third country hub (Turkey, Dubai, Singapore, etc.) based on route or forwarder availability.

Notes & Risks

Transit delays: Customs procedures in third countries and Russia add complexity; expect 3-5days delay in each hub.

Documentation compliance: Incorrect paperwork or prohibited items can lead to rejection or fines.

Regulatory changes: Policies may change rapidly based on geopolitical dynamics—always check with your forwarder for current rules.

No U.S./EU operator flights: Major carriers like USPS, DHL, FedEx, and UPS currently don’t fly into Russia; indirect methods are required

Air transshipment service to Russia via turkey

Why Turkey?

Turkey has become one of the key third-country transit hubs for air cargo to Russia due to:

Non-participation in EU/U.S. sanctions on Russia.

A strategic geographic location between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Well-developed airports like Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) with robust cargo handling capacity.

Active Turkish airlines and logistics firms maintaining freight services to major Russian cities.

How the Transshipment Works

Step 1 – Shipment to Turkey

Goods are first sent from origin (e.g. China, Middle East, Asia, etc.) to Istanbul or other Turkish airports via air freight.

Customs is cleared for transit, not for import.

Step 2 – Transit Handling

In Istanbul, cargo is reprocessed, repacked, relabeled (if necessary), and transferred to the next flight or trucking system bound for Russia.

Step 3 – Final Leg to Russia

Air freight: via Turkish or Russian carriers (e.g. Turkish Cargo, Aviastar-TU, Azur Air, Red Wings) flying to cities like Moscow (SVO, VKO), St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, or Kazan.

Land transport: If air space is restricted or not available, trucking from Turkey to Russia (via Georgia or Bulgaria) is used as a backup.

Common Russian Destinations via Istanbul

Air freight shipping price list from China to Moscow via Turkey（The price is for reference only, please refer to the actual goods data）

Air Carriers & Freight Forwarders Involved

Turkish Airlines Cargo (TK Cargo)

Offers direct cargo flights from Istanbul to multiple Russian cities.

MNG Airlines (Turkey)

Provides charter and scheduled services.

Aviastar-TU / Azur Air (Russia)

Receives Turkish cargo or flies Russia-Turkey routes.

Documents Required

Air Waybill (AWB)

Commercial invoice

Packing list

Export/import licenses (if needed)

Transit declaration from Turkey (prepared by local agent)

HS codes and correct consignee information

Pros and Cons

Advantages:

Bypass of EU sanctions routes

Reliable Turkish logistics infrastructure

Active air cargo network

Challenges:

Extra handling and cost for double-air cargo

Transit/customs complexity in Turkey

Risk of delays due to documentation or security checks

Air Transshipment to Russia via Dubai (UAE)

Why Use Dubai as a Transit Hub?

Dubai is one of the most strategic third-country hubs for air shipments to Russia because:

UAE is not part of sanctions on Russia.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) are global cargo hubs.

Extensive air cargo network to Russia, CIS, and Central Asia.

Access to freight forwarders and customs agents who specialize in Russia-bound shipments.

Ideal for commercial goods, e-commerce, and high-value air freight.

How the Transshipment Works

1. Air Freight to Dubai

Goods are shipped from the origin country (e.g. China, India, EU, Southeast Asia) to DXB or DWC airports in Dubai.

Declared as transit cargo, not for import into the UAE.

2. Customs Transit Handling

Local freight forwarders in Dubai process, consolidate, relabel, and repackage the cargo.

All transit documentation is prepared.

Cargo waits for a connecting flight to Russia.

3. Air or Multimodal Transfer to Russia

Cargo is flown to Russian cities via Russian or neutral carriers.

Popular destinations: Moscow (SVO, VKO), St. Petersburg (LED), Yekaterinburg (SVX), etc.

If air links are limited, goods may be trucked to Russia via Kazakhstan or Georgia.

Popular Russian Destinations from Dubai

Air freight shipping price list from China to Moscow via Dubai（The price is for reference only, please refer to the actual goods data）

Main Carriers & Logistics Providers

Airlines

Emirates SkyCargo – Large cargo network, may use partners for final leg to Russia.

AirBridgeCargo (Russia) – Recovered limited ops via UAE.

Astral Aviation / Cargolux – Possible indirect solutions.

Russian carriers – e.g. Aviastar-TU, Azur Air, Pegas Fly (charter/cargo handling).

Freight Forwarders & 3PLs

VIPU Supply Chain Logistics

Key Service Features

Documents Required

Air Waybill (AWB)

Commercial Invoice

Packing List

HS Code(s)

Transit Declaration (handled by Dubai agent)

End-user certificate (if sensitive goods)

Russian importer details

Pros & Cons

Advantages:

Neutral country: no sanction issues

Fast handling & transshipment via Dubai’s massive cargo terminals

Flexible: works for both large and small shipments

Experienced freight forwarders and brokers

Challenges:

Extra cost due to double handling and air freight

Complex customs in Russia if not managed well

Risk of delays if transit documents aren’t correctly handled

Air Transshipment to Russia via Singapore

Why Use Singapore?

Singapore is an effective third-country transshipment hub due to:

Not being part of direct EU or U.S. sanctions against Russia.

Strategically located between East Asia and Europe.

Changi Airport (SIN) – a top-tier global air cargo hub.

Presence of world-class logistics companies and freight forwarders with customs and transshipment experience.

How Transshipment Works

1. Air Cargo to Singapore (SIN)

Goods are shipped from the origin country (e.g. China, India, Vietnam, Thailand) to Singapore Changi Airport under transit status.

Cargo is held at bonded warehouses at SIN Airport.

2. Transshipment Handling

Local Singapore-based freight forwarder arranges:

Relabeling, repackaging

Documentation prep for Russia

Customs clearance for re-export, not local use

3. Shipping from Singapore to Russia

Goods are shipped to Russian destinations via:

Russian-friendly airlines (e.g. Uzbekistan Airways, Aeroflot charters, private CIS charters)

or via CIS countries like Kazakhstan or Armenia → then trucked to Russia

In some cases: Multimodal (air + road freight from Central Asia)

Russian Destinations (Direct or Indirect from Singapore)

Air freight shipping price list from China to Moscow via Singapore（The price is for reference only, please refer to the actual goods data）

Services Provided by Singapore-based Forwarders

Air Waybill handling

Repacking & relabeling

Temporary bonded storage

Customs documentation for re-export

Transit permits & coordination with receiving Russian agents

Optional: Final-mile delivery in Russia

Required Documents

Commercial invoice

Packing list

Air Waybill (original and house)

Export declaration from origin country

Transit declaration (in Singapore, handled by local agent)

Consignee/importer information in Russia

HS codes for customs declaration

Pros and Cons

Advantages

Efficient handling at Changi Airport (SIN)

Singapore has excellent compliance and infrastructure

Suitable for cargo originating in Southeast Asia or China

Flexible routing through neutral or friendly CIS countries

Challenges

No direct commercial flights to Russia from SIN → always via third hub

Double handling adds cost

Extra customs steps if using multi-country route

To ship to Russia under current sanctions, you need to route cargo through a third country using freight forwarding and parcel consolidation services. Providers based in UAE, Turkey, Singapore or CIS countries are commonly used, and shipping takes several weeks with door-to-door or airport delivery options.

Let me know your starting point and destination and whether you're sending a parcel or commercial cargo—I can help you find specific providers and estimate costs. 

Lora Yang   E-mail: sales02@viputrans.com   SKYPE|WECHAT|WHATSAPP|MOB:+86 13424468029