According to the order of Russia’s Federal Customs Service No 515 dated April 29, 2008, Karelian Customs is to be formed on July 1 through integration of Kostomuksha, Petrozavodsk and Sortavala customs. The staff is to be cut by 108 persons to a total number of 833 persons. All the 16 customs posts are to transfer to the competence of Karelia Customs with the headquarters in Petrozavodsk.
"Activities on reorganization of Kostomuksha, Petrozavodsk and Sortavala customs are to be carried out within the framework of customs reforms in the republic. Our purpose is to improve customs system in the North-West federal District," Arkady Upinin, head of Petrozavodsk customs says. According to him, the plan of necessary activities has been approved already. It determines the terms and responsible persons. Reorganization is being practically managed by the North-West Customs, press-secretary of Petrozavodsk customs Aleksandr Dyakov says.