Unit 5. Prohibitions and restrictions

Warm up

Exercise 1. Have you ever travelled to the other country? Did you learn the rules about carrying goods before the trip? Did you have any problems when you went through customs and border control? What do you know about restricted and prohibited goods?

Exercise 2. Match the English words on the left with their Russian equivalents on the right. Learn the words by heart.

1. to charge tax	a) общая стоимость;
2. a limited entry	b) профессиональное использование;
3. an entry fee	c) облагать налогом;
4. a travelers cheque	d) удерживать/арестовывать на границе;
5. to obtain the special permission	e) ввозная пошлина;
6. to avoid illegal import	f) уклоняться от уплаты налогов;
7. a total value	g) получить специальное разрешение;
8. to evade the tax	h) ограниченный ввоз;
9. to detain at the border	i) дорожный чек;
10. professional use	j) избегать незаконный ввоз.

READING

Exercise 3. Read and translate the following text. Use the dictionary when necessary.

Passing the Russian Customs and Border Control – Prohibitions and Restrictions

Russian customs is not a big deal, but you should know some things before you travel. For example, if you’re carrying a new unpacked item, you might be charged 20% tax when you enter the country. Also, you should be careful what you bring out from Russia and always declare valuables when you arrive, to avoid having to deal with unnecessary paperwork when you leave.

Entry Limitations & Customs Restrictions

The following items are subject to declaration and limited entry to Russia. These items (or excess) should be declared and you should pass through the “red corridor”. Some of the items that are being brought to Russia permanently, for sale or commercial use, may incur customs tax, which can go up to 30% of the total price (that is usually determined by the customs officials).

1) Cash foreign currencies (if equivalent or more than $3000 US) or rubles (if more than 500 minimum salaries); 2) Stocks and securities, including travelers cheques; 3) Alcohol (if more than 2 liters); 4) Cigarettes (if more than 100), tobacco (if more than 250 grams), cigars (in more than 50); 5) Caviar (if more than 250 grams), sturgeon (if more than 250 grams); 6) Items for commercial activity (including advertising materials).

If you have less than the allowed amount of the items listed, then you do not need to declare it when you come / leave Russia and you don’t have to pay extra money to be able to bring it through. Just go through the “green corridor”. Also, recently travelers cheques were made subject to declaration, so if you want to avoid going through the red corridor, bring your money on credit cards instead.

Special Permissions and Restricted Import/Export Items

The following items are necessary to declare and are subject to special permission valid in Russia or your doctor’s prescription when bringing in (and out): apparels, guns, explosives, ammunition, strong medicines (anaesthesiacs, sleeping pills, etc.), psychotropic medicines, items, that have cultural value for Russia (usually, more than 70 years old), poisons, strong sedatives, radioactive materials, wild flora & fauna that is in a danger of dissappearment, technical telecommunication devices, printed materials, merchandise for production or commercial activities. If you have any of the items above that you need to take out from Russia, you should seek to obtain the special permission at the point of sale or through the appropriate Ministry.