Changes in the import of goods to the Russian Federation for tourists in 2019

Since January 1, 2019, amendments have been made to the customs legislation of the Russian Federation, which will affect all tourists traveling by non-air transport. It does not matter what you left or flew out of the Russian Federation, but if you enter back by car, train, bus, or arrive by ferry, you will be subject to new import regulations. You should also know that these changes apply to both Russians returning home and foreign tourists.

So, starting from January 1, 2019, without paying customs duty, you can import goods for personal use only for the equivalent of no more than 500 euros (approximately569 USD), and weighing no more than 25 kilograms. For everything that exceeds this in amount or weight, you will have to pay customs duties.

You will not have to pay the duty for items and things that you previously took out of the country for temporary use and return with them (this is relevant for Russian tourists), or if you temporarily import things for personal use (relevant for foreign tourists). All this means that if you go abroad, for example, with an expensive camera, video camera, and other items, and return home with them, you will not need to pay anything. And if you bought abroad, for example, expensive equipment, jewelry, in general, it does not matter what, but in the amount of more than 500 euros or weighing more than 50 kilograms, you will have to pay a fee. Even if you just import 100 kilograms of potatoes by car, you will have to pay customs duty.

Perhaps the new rules will seem very strict to you, but you need to understand that this is not an attempt by the authorities to somehow clamp down on tourists. All this is due to changes in the rules of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and is valid in all countries included in it. This means that these restrictions also apply when entering Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan.

Import standards when entering Russia by plane have so far remained the same: the cost is not more than 10,000 euros (approximately11374 USD), weight not more than 50 kilograms.

What to do to make it easier to go through customs procedures when entering the Russian Federation in connection with the new rules

Things that you previously temporarily exported from Russia and for which there may be a suspicion that this is a new purchased product, it is best to enter in the customs declaration when exporting. For example, if you leave with an expensive new laptop, camera, video camera, etc., it is better to declare it at the exit (you do not need to pay anything), and then at the entrance the customs officers will simply make sure that you did not purchase it and took it out earlier according to your declaration, and there will be no problems.

If you bought something expensive abroad, it is best to have receipts/checks with you, in whatever language and in whatever currency they are. Just present them at Customs, and the inspectors themselves will convert everything into the desired currency and calculate the amount to be paid. If you do not have checks, you will have to lose much more time.