Import restrictions for the Russian Federation 🇷🇺

Updated: July 2026

Customs rules can change. Before sending a parcel or travelling, check the current requirements on the customs authority's website. This material is for reference only and is not legal advice.

General information

These rules are useful both for people carrying items across the border themselves and for those sending a parcel with a fellow traveller: they describe what may be imported into Russia and in what quantities. Not everything can be brought across the border freely.

If your baggage exceeds the established limits, you must fill out a passenger customs declaration on paper or submit it through the Federal Customs Service portal (which works with a Russian IP address or a VPN).

Weight and value

The maximum weight of goods for personal use that can be imported duty-free is 50 kg by air. For land or sea border crossings, the limit is 25 kg.

The value of the goods may not exceed EUR 10,000 by air and EUR 500 by land or sea.

These limits do not apply to personal belongings you took with you on the trip, or to used items. Alcoholic beverages are counted separately (see below).

For amounts above the limit, a duty of 30% of the value of the excess portion is charged, but not less than EUR 4 per 1 kg of the excess weight.

✅ Allowed with restrictions

💰 Cash

The amount of cash and traveller's cheques must not exceed the equivalent of USD 10,000 — larger amounts must be declared in the passenger customs declaration. This includes both foreign currency and roubles.

For amounts over USD 100,000, you will additionally need to provide documents confirming the origin of the funds.

🍷 Tobacco and alcohol

You may import up to 3 litres of alcohol duty-free per person aged 18 and over — all alcoholic beverages are counted.

The maximum permitted is 5 litres. For the volume between 3 and 5 litres, you must pay a duty of EUR 10 per litre above the limit and declare it.

Tobacco products can be imported duty-free within the limit (per person aged 18 and over):

• up to 200 cigarettes, or
• up to 50 cigars or cigarillos, or
• up to 200 tobacco sticks, or
• up to 250 g of tobacco, or
• an assortment of the above weighing no more than 250 g in total.

🍕 Food

You may import up to 5 kg of finished animal products and up to 5 kg of plant products per person. Only finished products in factory packaging are allowed; seeds, seedlings and planting material do not count as finished products.

Rosselkhoznadzor (the agricultural oversight body) may impose temporary bans on the import of certain products from specific countries — check current restrictions before travelling.

💊 Medicines

Medicines for personal use that do not contain narcotic, psychotropic, potent or toxic substances can be imported without any permits — whether or not they are registered in Russia. If you carry many packages, it is best to have documents confirming that the medicine is for your own treatment and not for sale.

Medicines that contain narcotic or psychotropic substances (as well as potent and toxic ones) are imported on medical grounds: they must be declared, and you must have supporting medical documents stating the name and quantity of the medicine (in Russian, or with a notarised translation).

The prescription or medical document must be issued in the name of the person carrying the medicine. You may not import medicines on someone else's prescription (on behalf of a third party).

🐶 Pets

You may bring in up to 2 cats and dogs for personal use without a permit from Rosselkhoznadzor. The animals must have an international veterinary passport with vaccination records and a record of a clinical examination carried out no earlier than 14 days before the trip.

🌸 Plants

Plant products of high phytosanitary risk (fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts, etc.) can be imported without a phytosanitary certificate up to a total weight of 5 kg. For larger quantities, and for seeds and planting material (in any quantity), the certificate is mandatory — it is issued by the authorised body of the exporting country.

Melons, watermelons and pumpkins — no more than 1 of each. Cut flowers — no more than 3 bouquets, up to 15 plants in each.

❌ Prohibited without special permits

• works of art and cultural property more than 50 years old;
• medicines not on the list of permitted ones;
• weapons and ammunition;
• narcotic substances;
• radioactive materials, etc.

Sources:

Federal Customs Service of Russia

Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission No. 107 of 20 December 2017

Rosselkhoznadzor

Gosuslugi portal

This service provides information for reference purposes only, is not a customs authority, and does not guarantee its completeness or accuracy. Responsibility for complying with customs rules and for the contents of the goods being moved lies with the person importing or exporting them. Before moving goods, check the current requirements in official sources.