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bish
Just Starting
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Posts: 3
Location: Canada
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 Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 12:03 am Post subject: First Trip to Russia |
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I am a Canadian and I am travelling to russian for the first time next week to meet a love interest and I have many questions:
1. I plan to take $3000 USD - do I need to clain this amount?
2. I want to take gifts of alcohol for my Lady friends Father but not more then 2L... does this have to be delared?
3. I want to take some small presents for my Lady friend as well as other family members... should these be delared?
4. Are there any special items that I should bring from Canada that would be desired such as cosmetic products or food items?
I am quite the romantic type... any suggestions for that first meeting?
Thanks for any and all assistance. |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 12:12 am Post subject: |
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| Been there done that, brought a lot of alcohol over and I never claimed it, I also took over 3,000.00 and never claimed it. And I didn't have any problems. |
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Paul-Holmes
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
Posts: 1073
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| Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 12:30 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
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I am a Canadian and I am travelling to russian for the first time next week to meet a love interest and I have many questions:
1. I plan to take $3000 USD - do I need to clain this amount?
2. I want to take gifts of alcohol for my Lady friends Father but not more then 2L... does this have to be delared?
3. I want to take some small presents for my Lady friend as well as other family members... should these be delared?
4. Are there any special items that I should bring from Canada that would be desired such as cosmetic products or food items?
I am quite the romantic type... any suggestions for that first meeting?
Thanks for any and all assistance
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1:
You can use your debit card or credit at any Sberbank or Binbank which is a very common bank in Russia. It is better to take cash out at Russia instead of carrying it.
2: Just use the Duty Free at the Toronto Airport. Suggestion is Ice Wine which is something that is unique to your country and she will like also. Whiskey is not as accepted. Bailey is awfully expensive in Russia.
3 Do not worry about declaration. It is only small amounts, thus no declartion is needed.
4. Things that are really rare. Peanut Butter, Maple Syrup, Ice Wine, Liquers. Also good towels.
If you are going to a small city, then bring a couple of rolls of Toilet Paper. Russian Toliet is John Wayne Toilet, it is rough and tough and takes no shit.
Find a spot to meet her and her friends first. It would help to know the city. |
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krasatulya
VIP
Joined: 29 May 2005
Posts: 590
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| Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:32 pm Post subject: |
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| A little comment about taking money out of ATMS. We were charged a $5 fee each time we used an ATM, on top of $1.75 by our own bank. After going to the ATM several times, it definitely adds up. I guess you pay for the convenience of not carrying wads of money around with you and the running risks that may be associated with that. |
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Paul-Holmes
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
Posts: 1073
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| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:06 am Post subject: |
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| But you receive a favourable rate in buying and selling currency versus the locale market. |
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nikir
Frequent Guest
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 3:39 am Post subject: |
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You are asked to declare more than $3000 USD in cash however there is no need to carry so much foreign currency as ATM's are abundant and you get the best rate with them.
Make one withdrawal a week to minimise bank fees. On my last trip I found that 7000 rubles a week was more than enough cash to draw as spending money excluding accommodation
Take some cash (rubles) if you are going to a small village as there may not be an ATM there witch is compatible with your bank.
Use credit cards wherever possible as this cuts down on your cash withdrawals. Visa and Mastercard are gaining wider acceptance throughout Russia.
As for gifts, take something that is unique to your country as most consumer goods are readily available. |
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mediashark
Moderator
Joined: 04 Nov 2004
Posts: 1599
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| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:59 am Post subject: |
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Gifts and personal items do not need to be declared if it's clear they are not intended for commercial use.
I only suggest you follow the advice (especially about money) given in this thread, but leave the toilet paper behind. |
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Rick
Moderator
Joined: 04 May 2005
Posts: 854
Location: Касабланка
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| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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| I would not expect John Wayne to bring any toilet paper either.. |
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nikir
Frequent Guest
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 11:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Avoid the grey stuff with no cardboard cylinder in the middle of the roll if you can, it has splinters in it! |
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Paul-Holmes
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
Posts: 1073
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| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:41 am Post subject: |
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| I think it is made from the combination of Newspaper and wax paper. |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:21 am Post subject: |
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| my friends were all happy when they came to my apartment and had american quality toilet paper. It was good that I brought it. Perhaps I should periodically send some. |
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