RussiaРоссия

Travellers arriving in Russia may bring 3 L of alcohol duty-free. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel. EUR 10,000 / 50 kg combined personal-effects allowance for arrivals by air; halved for land/sea arrivals. Alcohol: 3 litres total (any combination); over 5 L requires excise. Tobacco: 200 cigarettes / 50 cigars / 250 g loose tobacco. Quantities above pay 30% duty + 20% VAT.

200 cigarettes per traveller (or proportionally less in cigars / tobacco). Above-limit tobacco must be declared.

Yes. Cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 10000 (USD) must be declared on arrival.

200 EUR (~USD 200). Personal-import parcel threshold raised from EUR 200 to EUR 1,000 in April 2022 as a temporary anti-sanctions measure; reverted to EUR 200 in April 2024. Above this attracts 15% duty (min EUR 2/kg) plus 20% VAT.

VAT (НДС) 20% standard; 10% reduced (food, children's goods, books, medicine). Applied to imports plus customs duty per Eurasian Economic Union tariff. Sanctions regimes affect many Western-origin shipments — verify export-control status.

Prescription medicines for personal use are generally allowed in reasonable quantities (typically 30-90 days' supply), accompanied by the original prescription and ideally a doctor's letter. Some controlled substances need import authorisation. Verify with Federal Customs Service (FTS Russia) for your specific medicine.

Gifts are accepted by post but are still subject to Russia's import rules. Tax-relief gift thresholds (where they exist) are typically much lower than commercial thresholds. Declare honestly on the CN22/CN23 — undervaluation is treated as fraud.

A customs declaration filed with Federal Customs Service (FTS Russia), a commercial invoice, packing list, and transport document (AWB or B/L). Add a Certificate of Origin to claim FTA preferential duty. Sector-specific imports (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need additional permits.

The green channel is for travellers with nothing to declare. The red channel is for travellers carrying anything above allowances or any restricted goods. Spot checks happen at both. Lying or hiding goods can lead to seizure plus penalties.

Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (Schedule I); Weapons / ammunition without permit; Materials inciting extremism, terrorism, or LGBT 'propaganda' (Federal Law 135-FZ as amended). See the full prohibited list on this page.

Firearms / ammunition (FSB permit required); Pharmaceuticals (federal psychotropic-substance list); Electronics with cryptography (FSB notification under Decision 195). Restricted items typically need a permit, certificate, or declaration. See the full restricted list on this page.

Use the red channel at the airport. Most ports of entry into Russia accept either a paper declaration or, increasingly, an electronic declaration via an app or kiosk. Be ready to show receipts, prescriptions, or permits.

Most countries restrict animal-origin food (meat, dairy) for biosecurity reasons; sealed commercial packaged food is sometimes permitted. Verify with Federal Customs Service (FTS Russia)'s agricultural / biosecurity authority before bringing food.

Vape rules are changing fast worldwide; Russia may have specific restrictions, age limits, or outright bans. Verify on the current Federal Customs Service (FTS Russia) guidance before travel — bans have grown markedly since 2023.

Many countries require advance import authorisation for opioids, stimulants, and certain psychiatric medicines. Carry the original prescription, doctor's letter, and original packaging. For controlled substances, contact Russia's health authority before travel.

Yes. Duty-free purchases at the destination airport on arrival count toward your alcohol and tobacco allowance, even though they were purchased after immigration. Buying duty-free at departure rather than arrival does not bypass the allowance.

Above the de minimis, customs assesses duty and VAT/GST on the goods value (plus, in some regimes, freight + insurance). The carrier or postal operator usually clears it and bills the recipient. Recipients can refuse delivery if they don't want to pay.

Yes. If you don't want to pay duties or taxes, you can refuse the parcel and the carrier will return it to sender or destroy it. This does not affect your tax record but means the goods don't enter Russia.

Standard clearance for compliant parcels is typically same-day to a few days. Holds for incomplete declarations, biosecurity inspection, sanctions screening, or anti-counterfeit checks can take longer. Provide complete declarations to avoid delays.

Your carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, postal operator) is the first contact — they handle clearance on your behalf. If you need to deal directly with the authority, contact Federal Customs Service (FTS Russia) via the contact route on their official site.

Watch for: fake "customs fees" demands by SMS or email; impostor officials at airports; unsolicited phone calls about a "stuck parcel"; payment requests by gift card. Real customs authorities do not ask for payment via SMS link or gift cards. See our scams page for documented patterns.