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St Petersburg airport: Customs

 
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xxatti
Frequent Guest


Joined: 17 Sep 2005
Posts: 33

PostPosted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:53 am    Post subject: St Petersburg airport: Customs Reply with quote

I wanted to know how heavy the customs checks are at St Petersburg international airport (Pulkovo II i believe??). I've only flown in and out through the domestic airport where I've never been checked by customs (or seen anyone else checked for that matter). But this time I'm thinking of flying in through the international airport and wanted to know what to expect.
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Paul-Varjak
Frequent Guest


Joined: 30 Jul 2005
Posts: 37

PostPosted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why would you be worried? I am not a frequent flyer but have been to St. Petersburg twice. From what I remember, the checks are pretty standard to what I have come to expect on the few international flights I have made.

The only think different was last time when I had to walk through an x-tay machine because my disabilty meant I was wearing a caliper.
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xxatti
Frequent Guest


Joined: 17 Sep 2005
Posts: 33

PostPosted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wouldn't say I'm all that worried (it's not like I'm smuggling in anything illegal)... but I know how customs can be... and I've come across corrupt customs officers in the region before. So I'd rather not go through any extra BS if I can avoid it. In some places it's easier to get hassled by customs than in others. So I was just trying to find out what the situation is like in Petersburg international airport, since I've never flown in/out of there before.
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Paul-Varjak
Frequent Guest


Joined: 30 Jul 2005
Posts: 37

PostPosted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can imgaine corrupt customs officers at some remote land border checkpoint but I doubt it happens at an international airport of Russia's second-biggest and most-westernised city.

When I have been to Russia (just three times mind you) I have never experienced anything untoward. Never come across a corrupt official and never found anyone even officious!

The only problem for me is that Russia is not quite so accommodating of my disability as Europe or USA - but, as individuals, I find Russians most helpful to me.
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BrianR
Frequent Guest


Joined: 12 Nov 2006
Posts: 58
Location: Sydney, Australia

PostPosted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Paul Varjak wrote:
When I have been to Russia (just three times mind you) I have never experienced anything untoward. Never come across a corrupt official and never found anyone even officious!


Same for me, the two times I've been there.

Customs seem to be fairly normal, possibly even a bit easier than some other countries. (And definitely easier than Australia)
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Varrah
Lounge Lizard


Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Posts: 80
Location: St.-Petersburg, Russia

PostPosted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Compared to Germany, Poland, Austria and US Russian customs is far more easier. But they say that customs officers in Russia are intuitive ones, so be relaxed and check yourself, that everything you're taking with you is legal, and there will be no problems for sure Smile
Don't worry - be happy Smile
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