What things cannot be brought into Russia in 2025?

Alexander Kondratuk / Sputnik
Alexander Kondratuk / Sputnik
It’s always important to know what items are prohibited from crossing the border. Violating these rules can lead to unpleasant consequences.

What cannot be imported?

Maria Smituk / Sputnik
Maria Smituk / Sputnik

- Drugs
Importing narcotic substances into Russia is strictly prohibited. Violations can result in imprisonment for up to seven years and if the crime involves large quantities or is committed by a group – up to 20 years.

- Large quantities of cigarettes & alcohol
You can only bring up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars into Russia.
Alcohol is limited to 3 liters duty-free and up to 5 liters (with a €10 duty per additional liter). There’s also a price limit – no more than €10,000 worth of alcohol. Excess alcohol and cigarettes will be confiscated at the border.

- More than 5 kg of food
Per person, you can bring up to 5 kg of plant-based products and up to 5 kg of animal-based products. However, all products must be in their original packaging. Russia also has bans on importing certain food categories from specific countries – the list can be found on the ‘Rosselkhoznadzor’ website.
Additionally, there’s a restriction on sturgeon caviar – no more than 250 grams per person.

- Certain medicines
Counterfeit medicines cannot be imported into Russia (this carries criminal penalties of up to five years) nor can medications containing poisonous, toxic, narcotic or other components prohibited in the country. Some dietary supplements and weight-loss drugs may contain these components. The full list of prohibited substances is available here.
If your medication is not registered in Russia, you must carry a valid doctor’s prescription and a notarized Russian translation.

- Plants
Plants and flowers cannot be imported into Russia without phytosanitary documents. A bouquet of flowers is allowed, but batches of seeds or potted plants are not permitted.

- Large household appliances
You cannot import dishwashers or refrigerators purchased abroad. However, personal-use items like hair dryers or irons are allowed.

- Weapons and ammunition (including parts)
Individuals cannot import any types of military-grade weapons or spare parts for them into Russia. Sporting weapons are allowed with the proper permits.

- Encryption devices
Listening devices, covert surveillance equipment and encryption tools are all prohibited from being imported into Russia.

- Pornography & extremist materials
Pornographic materials in any form are banned, as are informational materials (print, audio, video, etc.) containing calls for extremism or terrorism. The list of such materials can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.

NOTE:
Russia’s duty-free import allowance is 25 kg with a total value of up to €500 if you carry it yourself, or up to €200 if ordered by mail.

What needs to be declared?

Kirill Kalinnikov / Sputnik
Kirill Kalinnikov / Sputnik

If you have any items from the list below, you must go through the ‘red channel’ at the border. Declarations in Russia are free and must be kept until departure. You can save time by filling it out online beforehand or at customs.

- Cash & jewelry
Cash and traveler’s checks exceeding $10,000 (or the equivalent in another currency) must be declared upon entry. For amounts over $100,000, you must provide proof of origin (employment certificate, gift deed, sales contract, etc.). Money on a bank card does not need to be declared.
The same applies to expensive jewelry – if you enter Russia with wristwatches or earrings worth over $10,000, it’s best to declare them to avoid issues.

- Cultural valuables
These include antique icons (100 years old and older), antiquities, paintings, sculptures and archaeological findings.

Alexander Kondratuk / Sputnik
Alexander Kondratuk / Sputnik

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