Customs rules of Russia for tourists

When going on vacation or traveling abroad, it is not superfluous to know the customs rules not only of the country where you are going, but also of your own. And it's not just that you may have a problem with not being able to transport some explicitly prohibited substances or items across the border, but also importing goods bought abroad that may be subject to duty.

For example, from January 1, 2019, when entering the Russian Federation through the land border by car or train, you can now import duty – free goods for no more than 500 euros and weighing no more than 25 kilograms, and everything in excess of this is subject to duty.

In order not to get into an unpleasant situation or unforeseen expenses, read the following information in a simple and understandable form about the customs rules of Russia:

Green and red corridor system

In Russia, as in the whole world, a system of green and red corridors operates at customs. These are conditional passages through the customs zone when crossing the border, marked with the appropriate signs "green" and "red" corridor. If you do not have anything prohibited and subject to declaration, then you pass through the green corridor. If you filled out a customs declaration (even just for the purpose of declaring the export of goods for subsequent import without paying duty, or declaring the imported currency), or you need to calculate and pay customs duty, then you must pass through the Red Corridor.

When passing through the corridors, customs officers selectively carry out checks, and if you find violations, you will be brought to administrative or criminal responsibility.

What is allowed to import without paying duties

There are certain norms that are established for the import of items into the Russian Federation. It is important to know that they act both for foreign tourists and for Russians. And yet, since 2019, these norms have become different depending on whether you cross the land border or the air border.

• When entering the Russian Federation by plane:

  It is allowed to import items worth no more than 10,000 euros and a total weight of no more than 50 kg.

• When entering by land or water:

  It is allowed to import items worth no more than 500 euros and a total weight of no more than 25 kg.

Everything that exceeds these norms is subject to a duty of 30%, but not less than 4 euros per 1 kilogram. The cost and amount of the fee are calculated in soums equivalent to the current euro exchange rate. To facilitate the calculation of Duty or to prove that your goods are worth less. It is recommended to keep receipts for purchases from abroad, in whatever currency they are.

There are also a number of products for which additional restrictions are established, which should not be exceeded:

• You can import no more than 5 liters of alcohol and beer. At the same time, for alcohol over 3 liters, you will have to pay duties of 10 euros per 1 liter.
• Tobacco products can be imported no more than 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco, or all together, but weighing no more than 250 grams.
• Food products no more than 5 kilograms of vegetable origin and no more than 5 kilograms of animal origin (only in the original packaging).
• Only adults can carry alcohol and tobacco products. And do not forget that the rules apply to goods purchased in duty-free stores.

Import and export of currency

Theoretically, there are no restrictions on the import and export of the maximum amount of cash and traveler's checks, but amounts over $ 10,000 in equivalent must be declared. It is important to understand that we are talking about the amount of all cash, even different currencies, including rubles. i.e. if you carry 5,000 euros and 5,000 US dollars, then in total it will exceed 10,000 dollars and is subject to declaration. Also, promissory notes, bank checks, bearer securities are declared regardless of the amount.

What is forbidden to export from the Russian Federation

The rules for the export of things from the Russian Federation are quite Democratic, there are few restrictions. In addition to obviously illegal items, the turnover of which is illegal on the territory of Russia (drugs, weapons, counterfeit products), there are such restrictions::

• It is allowed to export no more than 5 kilograms of Fish and seafood, 250 grams of sturgeon caviar in factory packaging and in the presence of store receipts.
• It is forbidden to export more than 10 liters of fuel not in the fuel tank of the car.
• The export of diamonds worth more than $ 75,000 is prohibited.
• It is prohibited to export without declaration goods for personal use with a total value of 1 million rubles or more; products made of precious metals and stones, natural pearls; pocket and wrist watches with a case made of precious metal; cases, straps, ribbons and bracelets for watches made of precious metal.

As you can see, customs restrictions in Russia for tourists are not so strict and complex. Well, if you forget something, you can print and take with you on the road the official memo for tourists, which was issued by the Customs Service - memo on the customs rules of the Russian Federation for travelers.