What cannot be imported into Russia and exported from the country

Going on vacation, anticipating a great rest and new Zara purchases that will return home with you? Great, then read our material about importing and exporting goods to and from the Russian Federation before your trip. 

We have detailed what is allowed and what is not, how to declare, and how to live if your suitcase exceeded your expectations. Let's go!

Laws regulating customs rules in Russia

The basis on which customs officers rely is the Federal Law "On Customs Regulation". An additional basis for regulation is the decrees of the Government of the Russian Federation. 

It is also important to note that Russia is part of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan are also members. The rules for importing and exporting to and from these countries differ from others; you can clarify them via the link. Today, we will discuss the import and export rules for countries not on this list. 

What cannot be imported into Russia

Here is a detailed list of what will not be allowed into the country upon entry: 

• books, magazines, video and audio materials inciting terrorism and extremism; 
• campaign materials violating the requirements of Russian Federation legislation on elections and referendums;
• products from countries where disease outbreaks have recently been detected (the list is provided here); 
• potato seedlings and tubers (can be imported with a phytosanitary passport);
• pesticides;
• cold bladed weapons and knives with a blade length of more than 90 mm;
• cartridges and individual parts of weapons;
• mercury (but mercury lamps are allowed);
• human body tissues, blood, and organs for transplantation;
• means for covertly obtaining information, as well as encryption equipment;
• unprocessed metals, scrap, and precious stones outside of jewelry;
• fishing nets made of synthetic threads with a mesh size up to 100 mm;
• production waste;
• waste hides or fur raw materials.

What cannot be exported from Russia

And now, more details on what cannot be exported to other countries:

• geophysical, hydrographic, meteorological instruments;
• industrial equipment, agricultural equipment and its components;
• working tools (including for machine tools), production tanks;
• medical and pharmaceutical products. Some medicines in hand luggage are allowed if there is a prescription for them;
• industrial vehicles;
• technological and telecommunications equipment.

Customs rules for those departing from Russia

The first thing to note is the amount of cash allowed for export. Russians can export up to $10,000 in cash through the green corridor. Your money on cards will not be taken into account, so don't worry about it. 

In addition, it is permitted to export no more than 10 liters of fuel in a separate container, no more than 250 g of sturgeon caviar, and no more than 5 kg of fish and seafood in factory packaging and with receipts. 

Jewelry worth no more than $25,000 is also on the list of permitted items. If you plan to export valuables, it is better to declare them, as well as other expensive items, equipment, and so on. 

Must be declared:

• securities;
• products of scientific activity;
• personal car;
• data related to state secrets, nuclear materials.

Items requiring permission from authorities for transport: 

• cultural values, which include art objects, documents, and archival records. Permission is issued by the Ministry of Culture;
• pets, excluding cats and dogs. Permission is issued by Rosselkhoznadzor;
• medicines containing psychotropic/narcotic substances. A prescription or an extract from the medical record with two stamps is required: from the attending physician and the medical institution; 
• wild animals, plants, and medicinal raw materials. Permission is issued by Rosprirodnadzor;
• fossil bones, mineralogy and paleontology collections. Permission is issued by Rosprirodnadzor.

Customs rules for those entering Russia

Purchase restrictions 

Those returning to Russia by plane can bring up to 50 kg of purchases for personal use without declaration. The total value of all items must not exceed €10,000. 

For those planning to enter the country by land or sea, the requirements are slightly different: the weight of purchases is up to 31 kg, and the total value of all items is up to €1,000. 

If your expectations and reality did not align and purchases exceeded the monetary limit or weight restriction, you will have to pay a duty. Its size is 30% of the excess value and weight, but not less than €4 for each extra kilogram. 

Important: if you traveled with your expensive equipment, it is better to declare it upon departure. The main thing is to confirm its purchase with a receipt or bank statement. 

Other goods and products

Product	Restrictions
Tobacco products	Maximum — 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco. Or cigars, cigarettes, and tobacco with a total weight of no more than 250 grams.
Alcohol	No more than three liters per traveler over 18 years old. If the limit is exceeded, a duty of €10 for each extra liter will have to be paid.
Ready meals	No more than five kilograms in factory packaging. Raw meat and semi-finished products are usually confiscated.
Melons and gourds	No more than one fruit.
Flower bouquets	No more than three pieces. Each must contain no more than 15 types of plants.
Seeds, bulbs, and cuttings	Prohibited for import.
Bee products, fruits, berries, and unroasted coffee	No more than five kilograms without a certificate.
Wild animals	Live fish (excluding ornamental fish), live crustaceans (in shell or without shell), live mollusks (in shell or without shell), live aquatic invertebrates (other than crustaceans and mollusks), fresh eggs of wild birds.

List of items requiring declaration for import

• cultural values;
• vehicles (if you left in one car and returned in the same one, no declaration is needed);
• goods for sale;
• civilian weapons;
• endangered plants and animals (from the CITES list).

How to declare items

You can declare items upon arrival at the airport. At the airport, there are usually two corridors: green — for those not carrying items from the above lists, and red — for those who have "something special." 

If you realize you're headed straight for the red corridor, don't worry. There you will fill out the passenger customs declaration form. You will also need to provide your passport, tickets for traveling abroad, and documents confirming the value of goods or ownership of vehicles (if vehicles are being transported).

What happens if items are not declared

If an item is not declared, the worst will happen: it will be confiscated from you. 

If an item raises suspicions, it will be seized from you. Customs will draw up an inventory and a seizure report in two copies (one will be given to you). The item is then sent for examination, and if it is worth more than allowed, you will have to pay a duty. 

If you refuse, the item will be confiscated. After that, it will either be sold for the benefit of the state or destroyed. And, of course, you will have to pay from 50% to 200% of the item's value. 

In general, travel light or with a pre-filled declaration. We wish you great trips!