Way to Russia Talk Lounge

wanderingeye · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:18 am Post subject: Digital Cameras and Laptop

Hi my first post here Very Happy

My wife and I are leaving in a couple of weeks for a river cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow. We arrive inMoscow and fly out several hours later for St.P.. I'm not a pro photographer but I have pro equipment. All together the camera gear probably retails between $7,000-& $10,000. The Apple laptop would be another $1500 or so. I intend on bringing everything home with me. So do I have to declare any of this on entering/exiting Russia? I'll also have about $2500 cash. Can I still take the green line or do I have to join the red line. How long will all of this take? We'll be arriving in business class so should be closer to the front of the line than the majority of those on our plane, if that helps.
Thanks for any help Very Happy

I'm really nervous about all of this. Sad

camarks · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:31 am Post subject:

You'll have plenty of time to fill out the customs declarations while waiting for your luggage and I would recommend doing it to avoid any problems when leaving. You might want to prepare a cheat sheet to help you fill out the form quickly. Fill out two copies and go through the red line. Unless you are very unlucky, you'll be the only one in that line and it will be very fast. Have fun; don't be nervous.

Xerox Man · Just Starting Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 5

What are the red and green lines about? Do I have to declare to anyone if I am brining into Russia my own laptop?

CTK · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 7:30 pm Post subject:

The green line is nothing to declare, I carry my laptop in every week through the nothing to declare line with no issue, in fact I have never been stopped or asked any questions.
With regard to money, I think the amount is$4500 and above you have to declare. Cameras, I would go through green and if stopped highly unlikely, be prepared to prove it is for personal use and you are not selling the equipement.
I dont know anyone who has ever been stopped going through the green channel.

wanderingeye · Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 4:51 am Post subject:

Ok, so as with most things to do with information about this subject I'm getting conflicting information from CTK and camarks. Which do I follow? By the way thanks to both of you for the input. Confused

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

siberiamad · Lounge Lizard Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 124

As I've said before - www.rusemblon.org says

You may import into the country up to $10000 (or equivalent) without declaring it. You may export from the country up to $3000 without declaring it. If you export from the country a sum of money over $3000 and up to $10000 it must be declared on departure.
If you import into the country a sum of money over $10000 or certain categories of goods such as more costly electrical items, jewellery/antiques and valuable musical instruments you must complete a customs declaration form (available at all ports of entry) on arrival.
If you are exporting from the country a sum of over $10000 you must provide documentary proof that you either imported it into the country or have legally obtained it whilst in the country.

G

camarks · Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 10:48 pm Post subject:

You will probably be fine going through the green line. However, I recommended declaring everything in advance because it could save a huge headache. You will be able to document that you arrived with the equipment. The fact that you could have bought your equipment cheap on ebay is irrelevant. The fact that you could have bought it at the VVTs or elsewhere while in Russia is what will cause the problem. I suggest that you be prepared to declare everything and read the notices and forms while you wait for your luggage. You can then decide what you want to do. If you are well prepared, you can fill out the forms in less than five minutes, and going through the red line is often as fast as the green line when many are crowded into the green line.

wanderingeye · Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:21 pm Post subject:

Camarks,

If I take the receipts showing that I purchased the equipment in the US can I skip the red line. Or is the hang up there that they are written in English and not Russian? I know it's probably not a big deal but my wife will get a little nervous if I take the red line and she the green line.

Thanks again Very Happy

camarks · Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:23 am Post subject:

The receipts will mean nothing if you should have declared and didn't. I don't recall the exact regulations but there are instructions and form in English in the bagage claim area. Read them and decide what you need to do. As far as your wife is concerned, you should just go through the red line together. I have been through the red line several times, carrying cash and various electronics. It is no big deal and takes no time at all. It strikes me that you will worry too much to enjoy your trip if you don't declare your items. You are already worrying too much about it.