Russian customs laws are similar to those in other countries. However,
the legislation regulating the procedure of transition across the
border of Russia changes periodically. That means that some later
changes might be not included in these instructions.
Visitors arriving by air pass through a passport checkpoint in the
airport terminal. Those arriving by train do this at the border (not
at the station). Uniformed border guards check passports and stamp
visas (one page of the visa is removed upon arrival. The rest of it
is turned in upon leaving the country). Russian custom declarations
are issued during your flight or train ride, or one can be picked
up from stands located near the baggage claim area in the airport.
It is necessary to indicate foreign
currency and securities (in amount
exceeding 500 minimal wage rate stated in the Russian Federation)
in the customs declaration. There is no restricts for importing the
foreign currency to Russia but please note that you are not allowed
to take out the country more than you have brought in. Declare your valuables (gold, silver, jewelry),
otherwise they could be confiscated on departure if there is no proof you brought
them into the counts. Precious metals and stones
except temporarily imported/exported jewelry, cultural values should also be noted on the customs
form. You must declare all these items or besides the confiscating else be subject to a huge duty up
to the full value of the items or even more.
An inspector will look through your luggage in varying degrees and
stamp your declaration. Ensure declaration officially stamped by customs
officials on entry to prevent difficulties in taking currency & valuables
out. Please keep this declaration! You need it to
leave the country. On departing, another declaration (same format)
must be filled out, which is compared to your original. Make sure
you are not leaving the country with
more foreign currency than you declared upon arrival.
Even though Russian customs has become considerably easier and faster
than in past years your bags may be thoroughly searched when you leave.
Do not overwrap items as they may be picked for inspection.
If you have something to declare you should pass through Red Channel.
Crossing the green line at the Green Channel entrance is considered
as a statement that the goods of obligatory written declaring are
absent. However you could be stopped there and checking up.
You do not need to declare
your clothes, toilet articles, private jewelry, photo and
movie camera with reasonable quantity of films/tapes and
accessories, portable slide and film projectors, camcorders
and portable videotape-recorders, record-players, portable music instruments,
tourist equipment (such as bicycles, wind serf-boards, etc.),
portable PC, baby carriages, etc.
All personal belongings can be
taken through the Russian customs border free of charge
if only the total cost of the goods does not exceed an equivalent
of 1.000 EUR or goods weight does not exceeds 50
kilos per person. Otherwise you can expect to pay the uniform
rate of 30% of customs value, but not less than 4
Euro per every kg over 50 kg.
You can bring to Russia
without customs duties 2 liters of alcohol beverages
(incl. beer), 400 pieces of tobacco (cigars, cigarettes)
and 250 gram pressed caviar.
It is forbidden to bring
to Russia weapon, ammunition and in what is considered
anti- Russian (printed, audio and video) material
or other mediums that may be harmful for country. Narcotic
and psychotropic substances as well as accessories for opium and hashish
smoking, are forbidden for import/export
to the Russian Federation.
You cannot leave with
items, which may appear to have historical or cultural value
(icons, antiques, paintings, musical instruments, coins, books, produced
more than 50 years ago, excluding prior exported ones) unless
you have permission from the Ministry
of Culture (antiques and works of art dating before
1960 must be cleared in advance). Ministry of Culture is located at
17, Malaya Morskaya Ul. (Metro: Gostiny Dvor, then walk down the Nevsky
Prospekt towards the Admiralty then turn left to Malaya Morskaya and
walk towards the Isaakievskaya square. It is better to retain receipts
for all purchases of high value made in Russia.
Alcohol beverages and tobacco are duty-free for
coming-out in amount
of non-commercial lot. Export
of pressed caviar is limited to 250 gram
per person.
The goods of non-commercial use with the total cost
not exceed an equivalent of 10.000 EUR inclusive
are exported free of charge.
The failure to declare goods of an obligatory written declaring as
well as giving false information can cause penalty, detention, and/or
confiscation of the money, values and even the criminal responsibility.
