Originally Posted by
toscaflyer
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.