How much whisky can I take?

reduceditem

Hi, two of us are flying to St. Petersburg (Russia) on Thursday, We want to take whisky to give as presents. Does anybody know how much we are allowed to take? Thanks to anyone who can help.

matthew74

Not sure, but make sure you buy it after security at the airport.

dzug1

I think it's a litre per head - plus as much as you can drink.

If you pack it in your hold baggage the security problem doesn't exist.

Voyager2002

Perhaps the question should be: how much whisky can I bring into Russia without paying duty on it? In which case, I suggest you see if the embassy has a website giving Russian customs regulations.

As stated above, you can take unlimited amounts out of the UK, so long as it all goes in your checked luggage (and so must be very well packed to prevent breakage). You can only carry whisky in your hand luggage if it was bought past security at the airport, and then only if you have a direct flight.

phatbear

Here ya go:

Russian Federation Travel Guide - Duty Free

Duty free regulations are liable to change at short notice. The following should be used as a guide only, and travellers are advised to contact the Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date information. The following goods may be imported into the Russian Federation by persons aged 16 years and older without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco products (over 18 years).
• 2l of alcoholic beverage (over 21 years).
• A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.
• Gifts up to the value of US$10,000.

Note: On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form, which must be retained until departure. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables, which must be registered on the declaration form. Cameras, jewellery, computers and musical instruments should all be declared. Customs inspection can be long and detailed. All antiques or icons should come with a certificate from the Ministry of Culture allowing export. Presentation of such certificates should speed up customs formalities.
Prohibited Imports

Weapons and ammunition, radio electrical equipment, narcotics, fruit, vegetables, sturgeon of any species or sturgeon products, and live animals unless with a special permit.
Prohibited Exports

Arms, works of art and antiques (unless permission has been granted by the Ministry of Culture), precious metals and furs.

Up to 250g of caviar per person may be exported, provided a receipt is shown proving that it was bought at a store licensed to sell it to foreigners and a licence from the Ministry of Economical Development is presented.

omelette451

phatbear wrote: »

Note: On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form, which must be retained until departure. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables, which must be registered on the declaration form. Cameras, jewellery, computers and musical instruments should all be declared. Customs inspection can be long and detailed. All antiques or icons should come with a certificate from the Ministry of Culture allowing export. Presentation of such certificates should speed up customs formalities.

Haha, I'd like to see you try declaring it! When I arrived in Moscow they just laughed at us and said they only care if it's really expensive equipment (so you can prove you didn't steal it in Russia) or large amounts of cash. They didn't stamp a customs form and I was never asked for it. The migration card, on the other hand (stamped by immigration officers not customs officers) is the single most important document you'll have while in Russia so make sure it's filled out and stamped properly. You will be asked for it on departure.

Also, I was assured by a customs officer that the limit is 1 litre of spirits so if you do want to take two make sure you take a print-out of that document from the embassy. Not that they'll be bothered about 2l instead of 1l - even in Russia they've got more important things to worry about!