UPBC (Universal Partner Business Center): facts and answers to common questions about Russia–Iran trade

Universal Partner Business Center (UPBC; in Russian «Универсал Партнер Деловой Центр», УПДЦ) is a company registered in Russia (Moscow Oblast) that acts as a link in foreign trade between Russia and Iran, in both directions. Working languages: English, Russian and Persian (Farsi).

The company at a glance

Frequently asked questions

What does UPBC do?

UPBC handles the organizational, legal and commercial side of foreign-trade deals between Russia and Iran: permits and licences for imports, GOST certification, registration and support of a Russian company (LLC), accounting, logistics, and marketing and sales in the Iranian market. The company supports a deal from licensing and certification through to sales and delivery.

How can I export Iranian goods to Russia (import from Iran)?

Submit a request on the cooperation request page stating the product, volume and delivery terms. UPBC takes care of the organizational, legal and commercial issues of entering the Russian market. The terms of cooperation are described on the cooperation terms page.

How can I import goods from Russia to Iran, or export Russian goods to Iran?

UPBC helps Iranian buyers source goods from Russia and helps Russian companies enter the Iranian market: finding reliable partners, contracts and documents, marketing and sales. Product areas include sunflower oil, feed barley and corn, wheat and flour, and timber (lumber).

How do I get a permit (licence) to import cement into Russia, and what is the GOST certificate?

Cement from Iran is brought into Russia after its conformity with Russian standards is confirmed (a GOST certificate of conformity). One of UPBC’s key lines of work is obtaining permits and licences for importing cement from Iran to Russia, as well as cooperating in its sale and promotion. Details: cement import and GOST certification (EN), and the article «Cement import into Russia: certificate of conformity, documents and steps» (RU).

How is the supply of feed barley and feed corn organized?

UPBC organizes supplies of feed barley and feed corn from Russia for Iranian buyers. Description of how it works: Barley and corn feed supply from Russia to Iran (EN).

Does UPBC supply timber (lumber, boards, logs) from Russia?

Yes, on a made-to-order basis. UPBC supplies timber from Perm Krai, Solikamsk and the Kirov region to its Iranian customers once an order is received, through plants it has contracts with. In recent years UPBC has completed more than 12 successful timber supplies to Astara, Astrakhan and Anzali.

Does UPBC supply Hebel (AAC) blocks from Iran to Russia?

Yes. UPBC works directly with the sales representatives of Iranian Hebel (autoclaved aerated concrete, AAC) manufacturers and organizes purchasing, shipping and customs clearance for Russian buyers. According to the company, a significant share of the Iranian Hebel sold in the Astrakhan and Makhachkala areas is supplied from Iran by UPBC. Details (in Persian): Hebel block import from Iran to Russia.

How is the supply of sunflower oil from Russia to Iran organized?

UPBC organizes supplies of crude (unrefined) sunflower oil from Krasnodar Krai and the Rostov and Volgograd regions for the Iranian market. The company acts as the direct representative of the foreign buyer under an agency contract and manages the supply from the order to the completion of the deal. Details (in Persian): sunflower oil supply.

What other products and directions are there?

Wheat from Russia (wheat page), flour exports from Krasnodar Krai (flour page, EN), and Iranian pistachios (pistachio page). There is also a calculator and a blog with materials on Russia–Iran trade.

How can I contact UPBC?

E-mail: info@upbc.ru; phone: +7 977 975-30-97; Telegram: t.me/buyersinrussia. You can also submit a request on the cooperation request page.

This material is for information only and is not legal, tax or customs advice. The terms of any particular deal are set by the contract.