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.
