CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Customs requirements for Russia are complex and must be followed closely. Household goods and personal effects should not be shipped from origin by air, sea or road without first submitting required documents and receiving confirmation that everything is in order from the Destination Agent.
- Household goods can be imported to Russia duty-free.
- The customer has to arrive in Russia in order to obtain his/her Russian diplomatic card before import customs clearance can take place. It can take from several days to several weeks to obtain this card.
- In regards to household goods and personal effects, Diplomats that are not in possession of their diplomatic card by the time their shipment arrives at the customs terminal in Russia will have to provide a copy of their passport and diplomatic Russian visa as well as a letter from their embassy stating that the customer’s diplomatic card is in the process of being issued.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
- Copy of both sides of the customer’s Russian diplomatic card (“dipkartochka”)
- Letter to customs from the diplomat's embassy on embassy letterhead, signed and stamped by the embassy- 2 originals
- Power of Attorney from the diplomat’s embassy on embassy letterhead, signed and stamped by the embassy – 2 originals
- Copy of the inventory (translated into Russian) and stamped by the embassy
- Two photocopies of Russian Visa – please stamp the margins of the photocopy with the Embassy stamp.
- Two photocopies of the photo page of the Passport – please stamp the margins of the photocopy with the Embassy stamp.
- Two photocopies of the MFA registration in the Passport – please stamp the margins of the photocopy with the Embassy stamp.
MOTOR VEHICLES
- Customer must be in possession of their DIP card.
- A car can be imported to Russia duty-free.
- A diplomat can import any number of cars contingent upon approval of their Embassy in Moscow.
- Documents Required:
- Letter to customs from the diplomat’s embassy on embassy letterhead, signed and stamped by the embassy – 2 originals
- Power of Attorney from the diplomat’s embassy on embassy letterhead, signed and stamped by the embassy – 2 originals
- Power of Attorney from the diplomat’s embassy which enabling destination agent to drive a car - on embassy letterhead, signed and stamped by the embassy – 2 originals
- Two photocopies of both sides of the diplomatic card, which must be sealed with the embassy seal.
- Two photocopies of visa, which must be sealed with the embassy seal.
- Two photocopies of passport, which must be sealed with the embassy seal.
- Two photocopies of CAR passport, which must be sealed with the embassy seal.
- The original of Russian insurance of the car (from all risks)
- Compulsory road insurance – Green Card (including Russia) or OSAGO (Russian Road Insurance. The original copy of the Green Card or OSAGO is needed for customs clearance.
PETS
- Contact destination agent for full requirements
DUTIABLE AND RESTRICTED ITEMS
The following items are restricted for import and may attract duties. Do not include them in your shipment without first obtaining written approval from our agent at destination.
- Alcohol – may be included if advance notice is given so required letter from the Embassy can be obtained.
- Artwork or Antiques/Items of Cultural Value – see note below
- Artwork and antiques
- Currency and coins (no longer in circulation)
- Jewelry
- Medications
- Plants
- Tobacco
Russian authorities are concerned to protect national items of cultural value. This includes items over 50 years old such as antique furniture, drawings, paintings, books (older that 100 years), icons, musical instruments, precious metals, precious or semi-precious stones, samovars, sculptures and statues, stamp collections or collections of flora and fauna. Such items require special clearance and should not be included in your shipment without written approval.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Animal trophies (excluding fur coats and fur hats)
- Explosives and fireworks
- Guns, weapons, and ammunitions (including knives/swords/daggers)
- Poisonous and radioactive materials
- Pornography
- Seeds and soil