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What can and cannot be transported across the EU border: current rules for Russians

Customs restrictions of the European Union affect not only business, but also ordinary tourists from Russia. We analyze which goods are prohibited and which are allowed, taking into account sanctions and general customs rules. Particular attention to requirements Latvia. Lithuania. Poland. Finland and Estonia.

Please note: the rules are regularly updated, so check with official sources before traveling.

Cash currency

In the EU, import of up to 10,000 euros (or the equivalent in another currency) is allowed without a declaration. If the amount is equal to or exceeds this threshold, you will have to make a declaration. Under "cash" understand not only bills, but also checks, bills, gold bars.

The declaration can be submitted directly at the border (the form is issued there) or in advance:

  • Estonia: An electronic declaration is available.

  • FinlandSend the form at least one day before the trip.

  • Latvia: You can submit an electronic declaration.

  • LithuaniaDownload the form on the customs website.

  • France: the declaration is filed at customs; for large amounts and complex assets, it is useful to study the section on the movement of capital on the website of the French customs (Douanes françaises).

  • Czech Republic: the declaration is made at the border; it is possible to fill out electronic forms in advance on the portal of the Czech Customs Service (Finanční správa).

  • Spain: the declaration is filed at customs; you can use the website of the Spanish Tax and Customs Service (Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria) for a preliminary acquaintance with the rules.

Alcohol: What is prohibited and what is allowed

From Russia to the EU, spirits may not be imported (heading 2208): vodka, whiskey, gin, cognac, brandy, etc. The ban applies even to purchases from tax-free stores. Under the restrictions fall and drinks with the addition of strong alcohol - for example, long-drinks and hard-sellzer.

Low-alcoholic beverages are subject to EU import limits for adult travellers:

  • up to 4 liters of non-sparkling wine;

  • up to 16 liters of beer;

  • up to 2 liters of sparkling wine.

Individual countries may impose additional restrictions.

Cigarettes and other tobacco products

Sanctions prohibit the import of cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos from Russia into the EU (heading No. 2402). In practice, this is strictly controlled: there are cases when travelers had to throw out even open packs.

Electronic cigarettes, liquids to them, as well as snuff, chewing and smoking tobacco are not included in the sanctions list – they can be transported. The permissible volumes are determined by the EU countries themselves.

  • France. The French customs are guided by European limits. If the volume looks commercial (many identical bottles, factory packs), questions may arise. If you are carrying alcohol as a gift, it is better to keep checks and not exceed reasonable amounts beyond the basic limits.
  • Czech Republic. The same general EU limit applies. Czech customs officials pay attention to the frequency of crossing the border: if a person often drives back and forth with alcohol within the limit, they may suspect a “shuttle” scheme and arrange an additional check.
  • Spain. Spanish customs also rely on the EU’s general limits. In practice, when entering airports (Barcelona, Madrid, etc.), alcohol control is less strict if there are no obvious signs of a commercial party. At land borders, however, checks are stricter.

Cars: Who is allowed to enter

A number of EU countries have banned the entry of passenger cars with a capacity of up to 9 people with Russian and Belarusian license plates, as well as tractors and trucks. Buses, large cars and motorcycles are not prohibited. The restrictions do not apply to cars registered not in Russia and Belarus.

Country specifics:

  • Finland. Allows entry to citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (including dual citizenship) and their family members permanently residing in the Russian Federation, as well as for diplomatic and humanitarian purposes. At the same time, land checkpoints with Russia are closed – you can get through Norway (there are similar rules).

  • Latvia. Makes an exception for diplomats, consular officers and transport companies. There are two special cases for cars with Belarusian license plates: trips of people with disabilities to close relatives (permission is required) and trips in the interests of Latvia (by permission of the Minister of Foreign Affairs).

  • Lithuania. Passes cars with Russian license plates when transiting to the Kaliningrad region and back using a simplified transit document (TCD); the car must have an owner. For Belarusian cars, exceptions apply under a number of conditions (citizenship, visa / residence permit, personal use), as well as for diplomats and in a number of humanitarian cases. There are local bans, for example, on crossing the border on motorcycles and mopeds through separate checkpoints.

  • Poland. Banned the entry of cars with Russian license plates from September 17, 2023; there are no confirmed exceptions.

  • Estonia. Only special vehicles (ambulance) and diplomatic vehicles are allowed to enter. Similar strict rules apply to Belarusian rooms with rare humanitarian exceptions.

A number of EU countries have banned the entry of passenger cars with a capacity of up to 9 people with Russian and Belarusian license plates, as well as tractors and trucks. Buses, large cars and motorcycles are not prohibited. The restrictions do not apply to cars registered not in Russia and Belarus.

  • France. There is no official separate “ban on the entry of Russian cars” in the form of strict border control on numbers, but there are pan-European sanctions norms. For long visits, customs can check whether personal belongings/appliances fall under the luxury category. The car itself as a means of transportation is usually not withdrawn, but the interpretation of “temporary importation” vs. “importation for alienation / sale” is sensitive.
  • Czech Republic. The entry of passenger cars with Russian license plates is de facto difficult: customs refers to EU sanctions regulations and often considers such entry as a violation. Exceptions are possible only in very narrow humanitarian cases (confirmed medical, diplomatic and other documented reasons), and the decision is left to the discretion of the customs officer. Motorcycles and commercial vehicles also come under scrutiny.
  • Spain. There is no direct public ban on the entry of cars with Russian license plates in the format of “unrolled at the border”, but in practice there may be problems with the registration of temporary import / insurance, and with a long stay customs can treat the car as an import. For tourists, the logic of “temporary importation for travel” usually works, but there are no guarantees; the situation is sensitive to details (dates, purpose of visit, related purchases, etc.).

Products: what will be carried

Common phytosanitary and veterinary standards are in place at the EU level, with individual countries imposing additional bans.

  • Fruits and vegetables. Without a phytosanitary certificate, only some types can be imported: bananas, coconuts, pineapples, durians and dates. For the rest (including apples and oranges), a certificate is needed, and it is almost impossible for an ordinary tourist to get it.

  • Fish and seafood. It is allowed to import up to 20 kg of gutted fish and fishery products (including shrimp, lobster, dead mussels and oysters). But sanctions prohibit the import from Russia of crustaceans, caviar and its substitutes.

  • Meat and dairy products can not be imported, but there are exceptions: up to 2 kg of dry baby food, special medical products, medical feed for pets, as well as honey, beekeeping products, live oysters, mussels, snails. In Finland, for example, the importation of frog legs is allowed.

  • Other products. Candy, chocolate, biscuits and drying are usually possible if they are not for sale. But Lithuania and Latvia have imposed extensive bans on the import of certain items from Russia and Belarus.

  • France. French customs strictly monitor meat and dairy products. Even small amounts of sausage or cheese from Russia can be withdrawn. Baby and medical nutrition is allowed within the limit of 2 kg if there is a marking; if possible, accompanying documents (for therapeutic nutrition) are useful. Fruits/vegetables are the same as EU rules: almost nothing is possible without a certificate.

  • Czech Republic. Czech customs strictly control meat and dairy products. “Souvenir” meat delicacies in vacuum packaging from the Russian Federation can be regarded as a violation of the ban. Honey and bee products are usually passed in reasonable quantities (one or two small cans). Fruits without a certificate will not be missed.

  • Spain. Spanish customs do not allow meat and dairy products from third countries. In practice, airport controls may be selective, but the risk of seizure remains. Baby food (up to 2 kg) and honey in small volumes are usually allowed. Fruits without a phytosanitary certificate can not be imported; the exception is the same “problem-free” species (bananas, pineapples, etc.).

Medications: limits and documents

For personal use, drugs can be carried, but the rules vary by country and depend on the type of drug.

General principles:

  • Prescription medications require a prescription.

  • All medicines are best kept in factory packaging and in hand luggage.

  • Veterinary drugs are taken only when traveling with a pet (usually a maximum of a month).

Country specifics:

  • Finland. Homeopathic unregistered medicines cannot be imported. The rest - for a maximum of 3 months, drugs - up to 14 days with special conditions.

  • Estonia. Prescription drugs can be taken as many as indicated in the recipe, over-the-counter - up to 10 types (5 packages each). For animals - up to 5 types of over-the-counter (for 3 packages). If you need more over-the-counter, apply to the Department of Medicines.

  • Poland. Without a certificate, up to 5 packages of over-the-counter drugs are allowed (not related to narcotic, psychotropic and painkillers). For injections (for example, insulin) you need a certificate from a doctor, preferably in Polish.

  • Lithuania. Without a certificate, you can up to 10 packages of over-the-counter medicines for one entry within a month; for permanent residents - up to 40 packages per month. If the limit is exceeded, a certificate with detailed data on the drug and the patient will be asked.

  • Latvia. Medications are taken for personal needs for a maximum of 6 months. If there are more than three packages, a written justification is required. For drugs with narcotic and psychotropic substances, permission from the specialized agency is required; a limited supply is allowed for prescription (for list II - for 14 days, list III - for 30 days). Drug analgesics and new psychoactive substances are prohibited.

  • France. You can import medicines for personal use, including prescription (you need a prescription or an extract from a medical card in French / English or with a notary translation). Additional documents are required for narcotic/psychotropic drugs. The volume is usually limited to the course of treatment during the trip. French customs recommends a brief medical report with a diagnosis and prescription (in two languages) if you are carrying serious drugs.

  • Czech Republic. Import of medicines for personal use is allowed. Prescription - in the presence of a prescription; for potent and narcotic drugs, permission and a certificate from a doctor with the dosage and duration of the course are required. It is advisable to have documents in English or Czech. The volume should not exceed a reasonable period of treatment (usually guided by 3-6 months, but at the border may ask for justification). Veterinary drugs - only for the pet, with supporting documents.

  • Spain. Medications for personal use are permitted. Prescription requires a prescription; for psychotropic and narcotic drugs, additional permits and certificates are needed indicating the dosage and duration of the course. It is advisable to have documents in Spanish or English. The volume should correspond to the course of treatment during the trip; in practice, Spanish customs often asks to show a prescription even for common drugs, if there are several packages. Veterinary drugs are allowed only in the presence of a pet and supporting documents.

Text and photo:https://www.personalguide.ru/

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