Programs: BA gold/GGL, DL PL, UA 1K, SPG PL, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 38
SVO Terminal 2 and art
I remember back in the day whenever you acquired something that resembled art in Russia, be it a cartoon sketch from the street or a malevich, you needed customs docs. Lately, have been flying out of DME on BA, where you check bags before customs, so nobody really cares what you're taking out. Next week, however, I'm flying SU out of SVO where customs in BEFORE checkin.
Question for those who fly Aeroflot more than I: Will the customs goons be upset if I buy a cheap painting or two (<$500 value) without registering them? Do they notice things like that when they scan bags before check-in? If yes, know of any way to expedite the registration process as I'll only be in Moscow 1 weekday before returning to LHR...
I remember back in the day whenever you acquired something that resembled art in Russia, be it a cartoon sketch from the street or a malevich, you needed customs docs. Lately, have been flying out of DME on BA, where you check bags before customs, so nobody really cares what you're taking out. Next week, however, I'm flying SU out of SVO where customs in BEFORE checkin.
Question for those who fly Aeroflot more than I: Will the customs goons be upset if I buy a cheap painting or two (<$500 value) without registering them? Do they notice things like that when they scan bags before check-in? If yes, know of any way to expedite the registration process as I'll only be in Moscow 1 weekday before returning to LHR...
Thanks for your thoughts!
I have never experienced problems with customs at SVO2 for the past 15 years of flying out of there. Recently (maybe the past 7-10 years) no one stops you at the exit customs at all, just go through the Green Channel (for some reason some Russians still insist on going through the Red Channel just to have something stamped, I think they jujst like the process of getting "official stamp" on thier paperwork for some reason. As I never have anything to declare, I just go through the Green line and there is never ever anybody there, its a breeze). If you want to be completely sure, get a spravka (proof) from the Ministry of Culture that your art has no antique value, and go through the Red Channel. If you don't want to bother, just go through the Green Channel, thats what I would do.
for some reason some Russians still insist on going through the Red Channel just to have something stamped
Russian citizens who travel abroad more than once per month don't have any duty-free exemptions at all. If catched on their way back they need either to pay customs duties for everything in their luggage (including underwear, socks etc.) or present a customs declaration stamped before departure from Russia.
Russian citizens who travel abroad more than once per month don't have any duty-free exemptions at all. If catched on their way back they need either to pay customs duties for everything in their luggage (including underwear, socks etc.) or present a customs declaration stamped before departure from Russia.
Can't they just go through the Green Channel every time? Wouldn't that alleviate the need for stamping every time? The rule does seem completely insane, any idea why that exists?
I hold a Russian passport as well, and use it when coming back to Russia, I have NEVER used any customs form for the past 10 or so years (I think I did before though). No one said anything to me or ever stopped me.
I assume the OP holds a non-Russian passport and therefore would be able to go through the Green Channel with no issues whatsoever.
Thanks for your help all. Wasn't aware that there was a red and a green channel for outbound passengers as well. S novim godom!
S Novym Godom! True, the outbound customs is what you should be concerned with, and I always see the Green Channel open for the outbounds (usually the empty one).
