Moving to Russia

Russian citizens

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Scan-copy of Russian internal passport (double-page with photo, double-page with registration).
• Scan-copy of international passport (double- page with photo, double-page with visa, page with last entry stamp to Russia).
• Power of Attorney legalised by Russian Notary – original.
• INN (Russian individual tax payer number) scan-copy.
• Additional documents for duty-free importation:
  • Letter from Consulate proving Russian citizen was temporary living and registered at Russian Consulate not less than 12 months
  • Customs Declaration filled out upon entry to the Russian Federation (only for returning Russians importing their goods on a preferential basis).
  • Scan-copy of all pages of international passport to check the entry stamps to Russia.

CUSTOMS PRESCRIPTIONS

• Imported goods are subject to customs duties in the amount of 30% of their value, but not less than 4 EUR/1 kg.
• However, all agents and all involved in the organization of cargo import to Russia should be aware that the weight of the shipment must be rational and consistent with Before packing, it is important to consult with an agent in the country of destination regarding the weight of the shipment and its value.
• The consignee of the shipment can make payment of import duties customs either from their bank account, in cash in the bank office or through online banking.
• Any Russian citizen can import personal effects on a duty-free basis if the goods are worth up to five thousand Euro and the consignee has a letter from the Consulate of the Russian Federation confirming his/her registration in the Russian Consulate in the country of stay for more than 1 year.
• People, entitled to duty-free import:
  • Employees of Embassies and Consulates and members of their families (once per calendar year during the period of stay abroad)**
  • People sent to work in a foreign country by the state bodies of the Russian Federation, the period of the trip which should be at least 11 months (once per calendar year during the period of stay abroad)**
  • ** if there is documentary evidence of the duration and purpose of stay in a foreign country.
• Goods can be imported on a duty-free basis if they are inherited outside the territory of the Customs Union (recognized as inherited property), provided there is documentary evidence of the receipt of such goods in the inheritance (recognition as inherited property) in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation.

REMARKS

• Objects of art must have a certification by Ministry of Culture.
• Sometimes, customs requires presence of the Customer during customs clearance process.
• Draft of the letter from Consulate, PoA will be provided by the agent in Russia.
• Letter from the Russian Consulate (original).
• T6 Declaration has to be filled out by the shipper at the airport of arrival in Russia.
• Customs broker can cover duties amount instead of the customer in case they have an agreement with each other.

Foreign citizens

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Scan-copy of passport (double-page with photo, double-page with Russian visa, entry stamp to Russia).
• Copy of registration in Russian Federation
• Power of Attorney legalised by Russian Notary – original.
• INN (Russian individual tax payer number) scan-copy.

CUSTOMS PRESCRIPTIONS

• Imported goods are subject to customs duties in the amount of 30% of their value, but not less than 4 EUR/1 kg.
• However, all agents and all involved in the organization of cargo import to Russia should be aware that the weight of the shipment must be rational and consistent with Before packing, it is important to consult with an agent in the country of destination regarding the weight of the shipment and its value
• The consignee of the shipment can make payment of import duties customs either from their bank account, in cash in the bank office or through online banking.

REMARKS

• Objects of art must have a certification by Ministry of Culture.
• Sometimes, customs require presence of the Customer during customs clearance process.
• Draft of PoA will be provided by the agent in Russia.
• Customs broker can cover duties amount instead of the customer in case they have an agreement with each other.

Non-accredited individuals

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Scan-copy of passport (double-page with photo, double-page with Russian visa, entry stamp to Russia).
• Copy of registration in Russian Federation
• Power of Attorney legalised by Russian Notary – original.
• INN (Russian individual tax payer number) scan-copy.

CUSTOMS PRESCRIPTIONS

• Inbound shipments are subject of import customs duties charged as 4 Euro/1 kg gross.
• Imported goods are subject to customs duties in the amount of 30% of their value, but not less than 4 EUR/1 kg.
• However, all agents and all involved in the organization of cargo import to Russia should be aware that the weight of the shipment must be rational and consistent with value. Before packing, it is important to consult with an agent in the country of destination regarding the weight of the shipment and its value.
• The consignee of the shipment can make payment of import duties customs either from their bank account, in cash in the bank office or through online banking.
• Duty-free import is possible:
  • For used household goods imported by individuals, recognized in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation as refugees, internally displaced persons, and also moving to Russia for permanent residence, in all the following conditions:
    • The import of goods for personal use into the customs territory of the Customs Union from the country of previous residence is within 18 months from the date of arrival of the person for permanent residence in the Russian Federation;
    • Such goods were acquired before the date of recognition of individuals in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation as refugees or internally displaced persons, before the date of arrival (resettlement) on a constant residence in the Russian Federation.

REMARKS

• Objects of art must have a certification by Ministry of Culture.
• Sometimes, customs require presence of the Customer during customs clearance process.
• Drafts of the letter to the Customs, PoA will be provided by the agent in Russia.
• Customs broker can cover duties amount instead of the customer in case they have an agreement with each other.

Staff of Embassies/Consulates & Persons with diplomatic status

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Copy of Passport stamped by the Embassy, 1st page.
• Copy of Russian visa stamped by the Embassy.
• Copy of registration in Moscow stamped by the Embassy.
• Copy of diplomatic card stamped by the Embassy.
• Inventory.
• 2 power of attorneys stamped by the Embassy.
• 2 letters to Russian customs with the Embassy seal.

CUSTOMS PRESCRIPTIONS

• Consult the list of prohibited items for more information about alcohol (the same rule applies to all, diplomats included).

REMARKS

• Objects of art have to be authorised by ministry of cultural affairs.
• Drafts of the letter to the Customs, PoA will be provided by the agent in Russia.

Vehicles, owned by the staff of the Embassies / Consulates or other persons with diplomatic status

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Passport copy stamped by Embassy, 1st page + the page with the registration stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
• Copy of Russian visa stamped by the Embassy.
• Copy of diplomatic card stamped by the Embassy.
• 2 Powers of Attorney, stamped by the Embassy.
• 2 letters to the Russian customs with the Embassy seal.
• A document confirming the right of ownership of the vehicle.

CUSTOMS PRESCRIPTIONS

• Temporary importation is applied for the duration of the diplomatic card. It can be extended for the period of validity of the new card.

REMARKS

• Sometimes customs requires the presence of the owner of the vehicle or the representative of the Embassy during customs clearance.
• Templates of the required documents will be provided by the agent in Russia.
• By their personal request, the owners of the imported shipment can conduct customs clearance on ‘general’ grounds.

Vehicles belonging to other individuals

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Copy of the 1st page of passport.
• Copy of visa (for non-residents).
• Copy of registration in the Russian Federation.
• Power of Attorney legalized by a Russian notary.
• A document confirming the right of ownership of the vehicle.

CUSTOMS PRESCRIPTIONS

• The duties shall be paid if the vehicle is imported on a permanent The amount subject to payment of import duties and taxes depends on engine capacity and year of production the car.
• Non-residents of the Russian Federation can import their vehicles on a temporary basis for a period of 1 year. After this period, there is compulsory export outside the Customs Union.

REMARKS

• Sometimes customs requires the presence of the owner of the vehicle during customs clearance.
• Templates of required documents will be provided by the agent in Russia.
• Vehicles, imported with the payment of the duties must comply with environmental class EURO5 and to be equipped with GLONASS system. If the GLONASS system is  not installed by the manufacturer, it is possible to install it in the Russian Federation during customs clearance.
• For temporarily imported vehicles, the compliance with emission class EURO5 and the GLONASS system installed is not required.
• Import duties can be covered by customs broker instead of the customer in case they have an agreement with each other.

Works of Art

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• For all items older than 100 years, certificate from the Ministry of Culture has to be obtained.

CUSTOMS PRESCRIPTIONS

• Modern items of art (not older than 100 years), except paintings made with oil paint on canvas, can be imported without certificate from the Ministry of Culture.

REMARKS

• Works of arts include paintings, icons, musical instruments, collections, books older than 100 years.
• All items of arts can be export out of Russia only after obtaining export certificate from the Ministry of Culture. In some cases, owner of the goods must be physically present at the airport customs terminal during customs clearance if there are any items of arts in the shipment.

Prohibited items

CUSTOMS PRESCRIPTIONS

• All kinds of shipments:
  • Food.
  • Alcohol.
  • Tobacco.
  • Medicines.
  • Flora and fauna objects *
  • Precious metals and stones.
  • Samples of minerals.
  • Objects of archaeological and paleontogical excavation money in cash.
  • Debit or credit cards.
  • passport.
  • Weapons, any items analogues to a weapon, ammunition, explosives.
  • Narcotic drugs, poisonous and intoxicant substances.
  • Radioactive substances, hazardous waste products.
  • Tires / tires with disks.
  • Printed matter/ cinematographic/photo/video materials, comprising confidential and/or state secrets, intended for propaganda of fascism, excitation of race, national and religious animosity, and the publications of pornographic character.
• Airport security requirements for air shipment:
  • PBO
  • Toiletries and cosmetics containing spirits, liquids under the pressure (sprays, deodorants, aerosols, perfumes, nail polishes, wet tissues, creams, etc.).
  • Any food, tobacco (cigarettes), cartridges for printers, batteries (AA batteries), devices containing lithium-ion batteries (laptops, smartphones, cell phones, tablets, electronic books, etc.; as well as lithium-ion batteries itself, without device), medicines, mercury barometers or thermometers, explosive and pyrotechnic items, candles, flora and fauna objects, dry ice, flammable, infectious or poisoning items, radioactive substances, chemicals, reagents, test- probes, hazardous, household chemicals (wash powder, fabric softener, sanitizers, glue, dishwashing detergent, etc.), flammable, infectious or poisoning items, radioactive substances, chemicals, reagents.

REMARKS

• Apply to all categories of persons transporting their goods.
• * Import is possible in the presence of veterinary and phytosanitary certificates of the country of origin. Mandatory prior approval with the agent in the destination country.