Entering russia

When entering Russia, it’s essential to be aware of the customs rules to avoid any surprises at the border. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Forbidden Items: According to Russian Customs, you cannot enter, transit, or leave Russia with the following items:
   
   • Explosives and potent poisons.
   • Narcotic and psychotropic substances, along with devices for their use.
   • Works of art and antiques with significant artistic, historic, or cultural value.
   • Printed materials and information sources that undermine public morality1.

1. State Permission Needed: You can transport certain items if you have official permission. These include:
   
   • Weapons and ammunition (with a law enforcement agency permit).
   • Radio electrical devices (such as radio phones) require a permit from the Federal Supervision Agency for Information Technologies and Communications.
   • Sturgeon caviar (more than 250 grams) requires a license from the Economic Development Ministry.
   • Cultural valuables need a permit from the Culture Ministry.
   • Animals and plants officially allowed for transportation require a permit from the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resource Usage1.

1. Safe to Carry: Anything for personal use is safe to take with you. This includes clothes, toiletries, jewelry, laptops, cameras, and other portable devices. You can also bring:
   
   • Alcohol (up to 3 liters).
   • Caviar (not more than 250 grams).
   • Tobacco products (cigars, cigarettes, or cigarillos).
   • Medical devices, sporting equipment, and strollers1.

1. Necessary to Declare:
   
   • More than $10,000 (or equivalent) in imported/exported cash, securities, or traveler’s checks.
   • Imported goods worth more than 65,000 rubles ($1,113) and/or weighing more than 35 kilograms.
   • Precious metals, stones, and cultural valuables.
   • Exported Russian state awards.
   • Endangered animals, plants, and their parts1.

Remember to fill out a customs declaration form upon entry and keep receipts for any purchases. If you have any doubts, consult with customs officials to ensure a smooth experience

When crossing the Russian border, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Electronic Visa Checkpoints: If you’re traveling with an electronic visa, you can only cross the Russian border at specified checkpoints. These include auto checkpoints, air checkpoints, railway checkpoints, and maritime checkpoints. Make sure to plan your trip accordingly.
2. Auto Checkpoints: These are land border crossings. Some examples include Bagrationovsk (Polish Border), Verkhnii Lars (Georgian border), and Mamonovo (Polish border).
3. Air Checkpoints: If you’re arriving by air, you’ll go through one of the international airports, such as Moscow (Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, or Vnukovo), St. Petersburg (Pulkovo), or Kazan.
4. Railway Checkpoints: For train travel, you’ll use specific railway stations like St. Petersburg (Finlyandsky) or Zabaykalsk (Chinese border).
5. Maritime Checkpoints: If you’re arriving by sea, the main ports include St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, and Kaliningrad.

Remember to have necessary documents, food, and water, especially for longer waits at some checkpoints.