Crossing the Russian Border
At first this might sound like something only done in spy movies, but every day people arrive in Russian airports and have to make an entry into Russia through the specified control points. You will be given a form to complete prior to landing that will be used at the control point inside the airport.
They will ask you for your passport, inspect your visa and stamp the form you filled out. This form is a verification process that is later stamped at your hotel or OVIR office to prove you stayed at the location on your visa application. You should keep this form inside your passport while visiting Russia and have it stamped within 3 business days after arrival. Your hotel can usually do this for you.
Always keep your passport with you while traveling in Russia.
Russian Customs Process
Typically the customs process is transparent to most tourists. There are stories told of businessmen who were forced to pay high customs fees for personal items such as computers, cameras or other valuables. This is not the typical experience in Russia, however it can happen. The best method to avoid this is to not draw attention to yourself by dressing in fancy clothes or acting in a way that indicates you can afford to be “shaken down”. It’s also a good practice not to declare items unless they are beyond the $10,000 limit. If you are unsure about the forms or procedures, ask your flight attendant for assistance.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
When arriving in Russia travelers must declare all items of value on a customs form; the same form used during arrival in Russia must be presented to customs officials at the time of departure. Travelers may enter Russia with up to 10,000 U.S. dollars without submitting a customs declaration. They may now leave Russia with up to 3,000 U.S. dollars without submitting a customs declaration. Travelers may export up to 10,000 U.S. dollars by submitting a customs declaration form. In order to ensure one’s ability to leave with valuable items (such as expensive jewelry) that were brought into the country, travelers should be sure to declare all such items upon arrival and receive a stamp on their customs declaration form. The stamped form will have to be submitted upon exit from Russia. Lost or stolen customs forms should be reported to the Russian police, and a police report (spravka) should be obtained to present to customs officials upon departure. Often, however, the traveler will find that the lost customs declaration cannot be replaced. Travelers attempting to depart Russia with more money than allowed under customs regulations face possible detention, arrest, fines and confiscation of currency.
Travelers should obtain receipts for all high-value items (including caviar) purchased in Russia. Any article that could appear old or as having cultural value to the customs service, including artwork, icons, samovars, rugs, military medals and antiques, must have a certificate indicating that it has no historical or cultural value. It is illegal to remove such items from Russia without this certificate. Certificates will not be granted for the export of articles that are more than 100 years old, no matter the value. These certificates may be obtained from the Russian Ministry of Culture. For further information, Russian speakers may call the Airport Sheremetyevo-2 Customs Information Service in Moscow at (7) (095) 578-2125/578-2120, or, in St. Petersburg, the Ministry of Culture may be reached at 311-3496.
Russia also has very strict rules on the importation of large quantities of medication : certain prescription and over the counter drugs that are common in the United States are prohibited in Russia and large quantities of any medicine will receive scrutiny. It is advisable to contact the Russian embassy or one of Russia ’s consulates for specific information regarding this or other customs regulations.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.
