Irkutsk Customs convicted local company in illegal log trade to China

In Irkutsk region, a criminal investigation is initiated against a local company for illegal log exports and evasion of customs duties in especially big amounts.

A company registered in Irkutsk supplied logs to Manchurian Trade Company based on fictitious contracts for wood purchase on the domestic market. The company obtained illegally licenses at the Ministry for Industry and Trade which gave the right to pay reduced rate of export duty, 15% instead of 80%.

Totally, the company exported 86.7 million m3 of roundwood to China at reduced rates. According to the in-house audit at the Irkutsk Customs, preliminary estimate of unpaid duties amounted to RUR 168.3 million ($5.4 million).

Criminal case is initiated against the director of the company. From the beginning of the year, this is the third crime case revealed by Irkutsk Customs.