All items which may appear to have historical or cultural value-icons, art, rugs, antiques, etc.-may be taken out of Russia only with prior written approval of the Ministry of Culture and payment of a 100 percent duty. Goods that are purchased from street vendors can be problematic and expensive to export. Russian customs laws state that any item for export valued at more than 300,000 rubles (value is established by customs officials at the time of export-for example, just prior to a traveler's departing flight) is subject to a 600 percent export tax. Items purchased from government-licensed shops, where prices are openly marked in hard currency, are not subject to the tax. Request a receipt when making any purchase. Caviar may only be taken out of Russia with a receipt indicating it was bought in a store licensed to sell to foreigners. Failure to follow the customs regulations may result in temporary or permanent confiscation of the property in question.
Embassy and Consulate Locations and Phone Numbers
Moscow
Novinskiy Bulvar 19/23
Tel.: [7] (095) 252-2451.
After-hours duty officer: Tel.: [7] (095) 230-2001/2601.
U.S. Consulate General in St. Petersburg
Ulitsa Furshtadskaya 15
Tel.: [7] (812) 275-1701.
After-hours duty officer, Tel.: [7] (812) 274-8692.
U.S. Consulate General in Vladivostok
12 Mordovtseva
Tel.: [7] (4232) 268-458/554 or 266-820.
Consulate General in Yekaterinburg
Tel.: [7] (3432) 601-143
Fax: [7] (3432) 601-181
Provides emergency services for American citizens.
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