Way to Russia Talk Lounge

russkeboy · Just Starting Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 4

Hi,

Does anyone know how many cigarettes can legally be brought back from Russia to an EU country, such as the UK. Would there be any taxes leaving Russia, or would there be any taxes when arriving in the UK?

Hope you can help!

vitalsigns · Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784

When I had a question about what I can and can't bring from Russia I emailed UPS (ups.com) and they gave me a comprehensive list. Do not have it anymore. Email UPS.

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 534

Legally only 10 packs (200 cigarettes), illegally you can take your chances. If you take a large quantity you might be asked for a bribe on the Russian side but it's the English side where you would have to pay the taxes. If you choose to go through the green channel then you'll either pay no tax or have them confiscated, depending on your luck.

pauljaymes · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:58 am Post subject:

The place to look is always the customs department of the relevant country (ie the one you're travelling into).

British Customs have an informative website with a page on goods here -
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&propertyType=document&resetCT=true&id=HMCE_PROD_010219

Note that there are special restrictions on cigarettes from Eastern EU states, so buying cheap fags there doesn't get you around any restrictions - also remember that cigarettes, unlike many other goods, are usually quite easily identifiable as sold in a specific country. Smuggling Russian cigarettes (illegally) into Finland, for example, wouldn't help you get them into the UK, despite the fact that there are no restrictions when travelling from Finland to the UK.

martin3030 · Frequent Guest Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 16

Qotas from Russia are the non EEC ones ie 200 cigaretes.
If you try to buy from duty free airport shops coming back they will charge you full rate[after looking at your boarding card]
Of 8 trips to Moscow in the last 2 years I have only been stopped once I did have 800 cigarettes and 10 ltrs of vodka but was let off after I said as Russia was in Europe I thought it was ok.
It really is the luck of the draw.
Russian customs are more concerned with you taking out other things such as animal parts art and caviar.
I have lost count of the times I been asked how much caviar I have.
Only other thing I had problems with was a bottle containing 100% spirit from the mother in law.
It showed on the scan of my case and they quickly took it off me.
With a big grin he shook his head.
I know where that would have ended up
In his pocket !!

txriverranch · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 8:20 am Post subject:

Rick · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 12:14 pm Post subject:

I took bottles in carry on luggage. Never gave troubles.

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

I took two 2 liter bottles, and 3 bottles of wine to Russia in my carry-on when I was just there in May. Had no problems what so ever