Home › Travel Guides › Europe Travel Guide › Russia › Money & duty free for Russia

Money & duty free for Russia

Currency information: 

Rouble (RUB; symbol руб) = 100 kopeks. Notes are in denominations of руб5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50 and 10. Coins are in denominations of руб10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 10, 5 and 1 kopeks.

Credit cards: 

Major European and international credit and debit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, are accepted in the larger hotels and at foreign currency shops and restaurants, but cash (in Roubles) is more reliable. American Express cards are rarely accepted outside Moscow and St Petersburg. ATMs are widely available.

ATM: 

ATMs are widely available.

Travellers cheques: 

Cash is preferred. If carrying traveller's cheques, major currencies are accepted in big cities, but US Dollars and Euros are preferred elsewhere.

Banking hours: 

Mon-Fri 0930-1730.

Currency restriction: 

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is limited to the equivalent of руб10,000, but sums greater than the equivalent of руб3,000 must be declared. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported.

Currency exchange: 

Foreign currency should only be exchanged at official bureaux and authorised banks. You will usually need your passport to change money. It is wise to retain all exchange receipts. Bureaux de change are numerous and easy to locate. Large shops and hotels offer their own exchange facilities. All major currencies can be converted in big cities. Outside the main cities, travellers are advised to carry US Dollars or Euros. It is illegal to settle accounts in hard currency and to change money unofficially, although in practice both sometimes happen and are not risky. However, in general everyone will want to be paid in Roubles.

Russia 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.

Banned 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.

Banned 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.

Travel Deals

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Africa, the way it should be seen
We´re cutting the cost of Africa overland trips by up to a whopping 40%. 25% off many trips departing by 30/6/12.
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.