Unitrade

What Unitrade does

Unitrade (Юнитрейд) is a licensed Russian customs broker and international freight forwarder headquartered in Moscow, operating as a Closed Joint Stock Company (ZAO/AO) since 2006. The company serves Russian import/export companies across multiple trade corridors — primarily Russia–China and Russia–Europe — offering a one-stop logistics platform that combines customs brokerage, multi-modal freight forwarding (air, sea, rail, road), foreign trade agent services (ВЭД outsourcing), cargo insurance, and legal defense in customs disputes. Unitrade holds Customs Representative License No. 0010/04 (2018) and Authorized Economic Operator (UEO) Certificate No. RU/0083/ТИП1 (2019), placing it among the ~5% of forwarding companies that meet Federal Law 87-FZ requirements and enabling priority customs clearance for clients.

The company's core technology integrates with Russia's electronic declaration system (ED-2) for remote submission of customs declarations to any Russian customs office, with proprietary automation that transfers cargo data directly into clients' 1C accounting or inventory management systems. Operationally, Unitrade maintains a physical network of 18+ offices stationed at key Russian customs posts — including all major airports (Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Pulkovo), sea ports (Vostochny/Nakhodka), rail terminals (Kunyaevo-2, Vorsino), and road border crossings (Bryansk, Smolensk, Tver, Vyborg, Sebezh, Novoshakhtinsk) — enabling ~3-hour average customs release times and ~90%+ win rate in court disputes with customs authorities. The business processes approximately 5,000 customs declarations annually with 150 staff, serving enterprise clients that include Yamaha, Oriflame, Askona, and Boxberry.

Unitrade's revenue model is professional services–based, charging per-declaration fees for customs brokerage (9,000–17,000 RUB depending on customs post and transport type), per-container/per-cubic-meter rates for freight forwarding ($8,600–$10,000 per 40ft container from China; 150–330 EUR/cbm consolidated cargo from Europe), commission on cargo insurance (0.12% of invoice value via partner Pari), and fees for legal defense services. The company operates an enterprise field sales motion with dedicated representatives stationed at customs posts, supports clients via direct contract (no prepayment required for established clients), and distributes through a B2B-only channel leveraging its corporate website, online delivery calculators, Telegram (@ao_unitrade), and Yandex Zen for inbound lead generation. Partnerships span 10+ ocean carriers (MAERSK, OOCL, ONE, CMA CGM, FESCO, Evergreen, Yang Ming, Sinokor, ZIM, APL), 6+ airlines (AirBridgeCargo, Aeroflot, Air China, Korean Air, Lufthansa Cargo, Finnair), insurance provider Pari, and Russia's Chamber of Commerce for ATA Carnet documentation.

Name

Unitrade

Legal name

Закрытое акционерное общество «Юнитрейд» (ZAKRYTOE AKTSIONERNOE OBSHCHESTVO "YUNITREYD")

Website

https://unitrade.su

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Unitrade (Юнитрейд) is a licensed Russian customs broker and international freight forwarder serving import/export companies across Russia–China and Russia–Europe corridors, combining customs clearance, multi-modal freight, legal defense, and insurance through 18+ offices at Russian customs posts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Customs Brokerage and International Freight Forwarding

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Import Customs Clearance (Entry Filing & Release) (TLACAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Export Customs Clearance (Export Declarations & AES/EEI) (TLACAFAB), Customs Classification & Valuation (HS/HTS, Origin, Duty Optimization) (TLACAFAC), In-Transit & Special Regimes Processing (Transit, TIR/ATA Carnet, Temporary Import/Export) (TLACAFAJ), Regulated & Controlled Goods Clearance (FDA/USDA, Pharma, Chemicals, Dual-Use) (TLACAFAF), Customs & Regulatory Filing Documentation (Entry/Exit Summaries, Declarations, ENS/AMS/ACI) (TLACAHAE), Duty Optimization & Special Programs (Drawback, FTZ, Bonded Warehouses, Inward/Outward Processing) (TLACAGAF)

Keywords

• Customs brokerage services
• International freight forwarding
• Customs clearance
• Foreign trade agent services
• Logistics legal protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Moscow

HQ country

Russia

HQ region

Europe

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Customs Brokerage / Clearance Services: Fees for customs declaration preparation, submission, and representation at Russian customs posts. Tariffs range from 9,000 to 17,000 RUB depending on the customs post and transport type. Additional fees apply for supplementary sheets, phytosanitary/veterinary control, and post-clearance amendments.
2. International Freight Forwarding: Fees for organizing international cargo transportation by air, sea, rail, and road. Ocean freight for 40ft containers from China ranges from $8,600 to $10,000 USD depending on route. Consolidated cargo rates are charged per cubic meter (e.g., 150 EUR/cbm from Germany).
3. Cargo Insurance: Commission-based arrangement with insurance partner company 'Пари' for cargo insurance policies. Insurance rates typically 0.12% of invoice value, minimum 8–10 EUR.
4. Foreign Trade Agent / Outsourcing (ВЭД): Full-cycle foreign trade agent services including supplier interaction, procurement organization, and door-to-door delivery. VAT rate of 0% applicable to transport services.
5. Legal Defense at Customs: Legal representation and support in disputes with customs authorities including KTS corrections, TN VED classification challenges, administrative offense proceedings, and customs duty recovery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Unitrade operates as a licensed Russian customs broker (Customs Representative License No. 0010/04) and Authorized Economic Operator (UEO), providing full-cycle customs clearance for Russian import/export companies across air, sea, rail, and road transport. Core services include customs declaration preparation and submission via the Russian Electronic Declaration System (ED-2), TN VED classification, customs value determination, and on-site representation at 18+ Russian customs posts. The offering is bundled with international freight forwarding (container, consolidated LTL, and full truckload), foreign trade agent outsourcing (ВЭД), legal defense in customs disputes, cargo insurance, and ATA Carnet handling, supported by automatic data transfer to clients' 1C accounting systems and online cost calculators for China and Turkey routes.

Product overview

Unitrade is a licensed customs broker and international freight forwarder offering a comprehensive suite of logistics and customs services. The core offering consists of customs brokerage and clearance services, supported by international freight forwarding capabilities covering air, sea, railway, road, and multimodal transportation. Additional services include foreign trade agent services, legal protection for customs disputes, cargo insurance, ATA Carnet handling, and certification sample imports. The company operates primarily on Russia-China and Russia-Europe trade routes, offering both full container loads and consolidated (LTL) shipping options. The product portfolio is organized around the customs clearance core with integrated freight forwarding and supplementary legal/insurance services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Unex: Express cargo website for quick shipments

Products and services

• Customs Brokerage Services (Таможенный брокер) Licensed customs representation services for Russian importers and exporters, handling import, export, and transit customs declarations across all Russian borders under Customs Representative License No. 0010/04.
• Customs Clearance (Таможенное оформление) Full-service customs clearance for goods including document preparation, customs value determination, TN VED classification, payment of customs duties, and release coordination across all Russian customs posts.
• International Freight Forwarding (Международные грузоперевозки) Comprehensive international cargo transportation services covering air, sea, railway, road, and multimodal shipping routes worldwide for Russian importers and exporters.
• Foreign Trade Agent Services (Услуги внешнеторгового агента) Agent services for import and export operations including interaction with suppliers, organization of product procurement, and door-to-door delivery on behalf of clients.
• Legal Protection (Юридическая защита) Legal services including customs value adjustments, TN VED classification disputes, administrative offense defense, customs audits, and customs refunds/recovery actions.
• Consolidated Cargo Transportation (LTL) LTL shipping services where multiple shipments from different clients are combined in a single transport vehicle to reduce costs, primarily used by smaller importers.
• Container Shipping 40ft Full Container Load (FCL) shipping using 40-foot containers for large-volume cargo shipments, primarily from China, with rail and ocean freight options.
• Container Shipping 20ft Full Container Load (FCL) shipping using 20-foot containers including standard dry, high cube, and refrigerated container options for varied cargo requirements.
• Cargo Expedition (Экспедирование грузов) Freight expedition services including transport mode selection, route planning, document preparation, cargo handling supervision, and end-to-end tracking.
• Cargo Insurance (Страхование грузов) Cargo insurance services covering all risks with minimal exclusions, including natural disasters, theft, and transport accidents, arranged through partner Insurance Company Pari.
• ATA Carnet Services (Карнет АТА) Temporary import/export services using ATA Carnet international guarantee documents for exhibitions, samples, and professional equipment, with preparation handled via Chamber of Commerce and Industry partnership.
• Certification Sample Import (Ввоз образцов для сертификации) Specialized customs clearance for product samples intended for certification testing, including coordination with Russian certification bodies for technical regulation compliance.
• European Consolidated Auto Shipping (LTL from Europe) LTL road freight services from European countries including Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Belgium, Turkey, and others to Russia, with per-cubic-meter pricing.
• General Cargo Road Freight (FTL from Europe) Full truckload road freight services for general cargo from European countries with various vehicle types including standard and mega euro-trailers.
• Wholesale Delivery from China (Оптовая доставка грузов из Китая) Wholesale cargo shipping from China including both full container (FCL) and consolidated LTL shipments via rail, sea, and air transport modes with tiered volume pricing.
• Equipment Delivery from China (Доставка оборудования из Китая) Specialized logistics for machinery and equipment imports from China including TN VED classification (HS 84-90), certification, and technical documentation support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,000 customs declarations processed annually
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Insurance Company 'Пари' (Страховая компания 'Пари')coreOthers · 21 July 2021Primary insurance partner for cargo insurance. Provides full spectrum of cargo insurance services including all-risks coverage with minimal exclusions, selected risk coverage, and special conditions for expensive cargo. In case of insurance events, Unitrade accompanies the claims settlement process until full payment to client. Insurance policy covers 0.12% of invoice value with minimum 10 USD.
• AirBridgeCargo AirlinescoreTechnology or IntegrationDirect partnership with AirBridgeCargo for air cargo services from China and other origins to Russian airports (Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo). AirBridgeCargo is a major Russian cargo airline.
• OOCL (Orient Overseas Container Line)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with OOCL for ocean container shipping services, primarily from China and Asia to Russian Far East ports.
• ONE (Ocean Network Express)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with ONE for ocean container shipping services.
• Evergreen MarinecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Evergreen Marine for ocean container shipping services.
• Yang Ming MarinecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Yang Ming Marine for ocean container shipping services.
• CMA CGM GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with CMA CGM for ocean container shipping services.
• FESCO (Far Eastern Shipping Company)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with FESCO for sea freight and intermodal services, particularly for cargo from Asia through Far Eastern ports.
• Sinokor Merchant MarinecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Sinokor for Korea-China-Russia sea shipping routes.
• MAERSK LinecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with MAERSK for global ocean container shipping services.
• ZIM Integrated Shipping Ltd.coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with ZIM for ocean container shipping services.
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ТПП)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for ATA Carnet document preparation, a service not offered by most customs representatives. ATA Carnet enables temporary import/export without customs duties.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• PEC (ПЭК): Russian transport and logistics company with international forwarding and customs support; comparable services but broader domestic freight footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Gefco: International forwarding and customs services group with historical Russia/CIS presence, comparable in multimodal and customs offerings to Unitrade.
• DHL Global Forwarding: Global freight forwarder and customs broker; historically competed for Russian import/export clearance and forwarding before scaling back Russia operations.
• DB Schenker: Global logistics provider offering freight forwarding and customs brokerage; a broad incumbent overlapping Unitrade's core services on Europe-Asia trade.
• FESCO Transportation Group: Large Russian intermodal transport and logistics operator with customs and forwarding services; also a listed Unitrade carrier partner, competing broadly on China-Russia and Far East routes.
• Delovye Linii: Major Russian logistics and freight company offering forwarding and customs-related services nationwide, overlapping Unitrade's B2B import/export logistics but at larger scale.
• Kuehne + Nagel: Global forwarding and customs brokerage leader providing multimodal and clearance services comparable to Unitrade's offering across international lanes.

Direct peers

• Major Cargo Service: Russian customs broker and forwarder providing clearance, multimodal transport and VED services to Russian importers, closely matching Unitrade's model and customer base.
• STS Logistics: Russian 3PL offering customs brokerage and international freight forwarding to import/export clients, directly overlapping Unitrade's core combined offering and territory.
• Rusca (Ruscon / DeloPorts): Russian container logistics and customs clearance provider serving importers via ports and rail, comparable to Unitrade's container and clearance business.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unitrade_su
• Facebookfacebook.com/unitrade.su

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Unitrade