Importing goods into Russia

[Markje]

Hi all,

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/woman-arrested-in-russian-airport-with-undeclared-580000-ring/575072.html

I was thinking when I read this, is it now illegal to be rich in Russia?

She was wearing the ring when she got arrested.

According to the Official rules, you can have a maximum of $10.000 on you duty-free in Russia.

Suppose I travel with my laptop (2000) , mobile phone (900) and 3000 in cash because no ATM will work in Crimea with a European bankcard.

Of course, my consumer-goods are not worth anymore the amounts I paid for them, but still I am already over half to this amount without even trying.

A good pair of shoes + watch + tablet + quality clothing and you may top the 10k easily.

Mark.

[andrewfi]

I bet there's more to the story than is shared here. Yonks ago it was recommended to declare stuff of high value when going into Russia. Seems to me that there's no harm in doing so even today.

Not declaring such a high value item seems foolhardy. It is worth remembering that jewelry is a common way to intentionally transport wealth without attracting oversight from taxation authorities.

Was the woman acting as a mule? That's probably the investigative intent of the Russian authorities.

[msmoby]

Suppose I travel with my laptop (2000) , mobile phone (900) and 3000 in cash because no ATM will work in Crimea with a European bankcard.

They work if you have a Russian bank account .... Problem solved