To have a good rest at foreign resorts, we will need a lot of money, and “not ours.”
We begin to think about the amounts of currency that are allowed to be transported across the border, the declaration of these amounts and possible ways to bypass the system.
We will learn about the “upper threshold” for cash transported through the “cordon”, about customs features in some countries, about transporting money by plane and other financial aspects of travel.
A bonus for those who can’t fall asleep is the answer to the sacramental question at the end of the article.
How much currency can you take abroad?
When planning to transport currency across the Russian border, you must learn some truths.
They can be reduced to several points:
- Customs rules operate in two directions (when we say “export”, we mean “import” too).
- You can transfer currency in any quantity. The question only comes down to declaration.
- In 2013, customs legislation underwent some changes. For the better.
- When breaking the law, prepare for the consequences (more on this at the end of the article).
- Any rules can be bypassed.
The rules for exporting currency abroad are regulated by the Agreement of the Customs Union countries on the procedure for moving funds and instruments across the customs border, which was approved by decision of the Interstate Council of the EurAsEC dated July 5, 2010 No. 51. This document defines how currency is exported abroad without declaration. 2017 did not bring any changes to these rules.
Rules for exporting funds and instruments abroad
According to Russian currency legislation, the concept of “currency” includes two components:
- cash;
- non-cash funds.
It should be noted that customs rules for moving currency across the border apply only to cash. In fact, transporting non-cash funds across the border is physically impossible.
In addition to currency, customs rules apply to monetary instruments, the list of which is contained in the specified Agreement. This list includes:
- traveler's checks;
- bills;
- checks;
- some certificated securities.
According to the rules set forth in the Agreement, the export of currency and traveler's checks without a declaration is allowed in the amount of up to 10 thousand US dollars inclusive. If a larger amount is exported, then filing a declaration becomes mandatory. In this case, you need to declare the entire amount of exported currency and traveler's checks. When exporting up to 10 thousand US dollars, the declaration can be submitted voluntarily. As for monetary instruments (except for traveler's checks), their export must be declared regardless of the amount exported. The form and procedure for filling out the declaration were approved by decision of the Customs Union Commission dated June 18, 2010 No. 287.
Similar rules for declaring funds and instruments are established by the Treaty with regard to their import into the territory of the countries of the Customs Union.
This amount (10 thousand US dollars) is calculated for one individual. Accordingly, when exporting (importing) funds and instruments by several family members without a declaration, you can move 10 thousand US dollars across the border for each of them.
How is the amount of exported funds determined when the currency is exported not in US dollars? For such cases, the Agreement provides for a rule on recalculating the amount of exported funds into US dollars. Recalculation is done at the exchange rate calculated in accordance with the legislation of the country through whose border funds are exported.
Responsibility for exporting currency without declaration
Violation of the rules for declaring funds and instruments during their import and export may result in prosecution. Depending on the size of illegally imported or exported funds, such an act may be recognized as smuggling (Article 200.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) or an administrative offense (Article 16.4 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
According to Art. 200.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, smuggling is the illegal (including undeclared) movement of funds and instruments in large quantities (more than 20 thousand US dollars). This violation may result in a fine, restriction of freedom, or assignment of forced labor.
Undeclared movement of funds and instruments in a smaller amount (from 10 to 20 thousand US dollars) will contain signs of composition under Art. 16.4 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. For this violation, a fine may be imposed ranging from ½ to two times the amount that exceeds the amount allowed for import or export without declaration, or confiscation of funds and instruments. They may be held liable for the same liability for false declaration of imported or exported funds and instruments.
Short answer: for amounts over 10 thousand euros, fill out a declaration not only when exporting, but also when importing money.
Long answer.
Problems with banks and cards in Russia force many tourists and compatriots traveling abroad to think about transporting money not on a card, but in cash. This is not prohibited, but requires compliance with certain laws.
Many people are familiar with the rules for exporting cash outside of Russia (more precisely, the Customs Union). They are simple: if the amount of all money and monetary documents (travelers' and bank checks, bills of exchange, bonds, etc.) exceeds 10 thousand dollars, you must fill out a declaration. There are no restrictions on amounts, bring as much as you can.
However, the rules for bringing money into and out of the European Union are less widely known. Both of these transactions with amounts from 10 thousand euros are accompanied by filling out declarations. This must be done upon entering the EU territory at a customs point. Sometimes declaration forms are distributed to those who wish to do so on the plane, so that they can fill them out calmly and go through customs faster.
You may have noticed that when exporting cash from Russia and importing it into the European Union, to determine the amount after which you need to fill out a declaration, different currencies are used. If you have more than 10 thousand dollars in your hands, but less than 10 thousand euros (in conversion), then you need to fill out a declaration when leaving Russia, but not when entering the EU.
Please note: these rules apply not only to cash (in any currency, including rubles), but also any monetary documents payable to bearer, which can be anonymously converted into money or transferred to another person: bank checks, bills of exchange, traveler's checks. When calculating the amount on hand, do not forget to take into account coins and literally all the money you have, in any currency. In the declaration, you indicate all amounts separately, even if each does not exceed 10 thousand euros; the main thing is that when recalculated at the rate used by customs, the total amount of all money exceeds this value.
The declaration will also have to indicate source of money And goals, on which you want to spend it. There are no particular problems with this; documentary evidence of your words is not required. It is enough to write that money is your savings, and you want to spend it on purchasing goods (or buying real estate, investing, etc.). Despite the absence of any verification, you should not deceive the customs officers: the document you filled out will remain in the archives and may emerge at the most inopportune moment. This is unlikely to happen with ordinary people and small amounts, but it is better to keep this in mind just in case.
In most countries, the declaration is completed on official language or in English (but sometimes only in local), so if you do not know the language, then prepare in advance by downloading and filling out the sample in the desired language. In order not to be confused with the points, you can use the translation of the form into. In some countries, you can fill out the declaration in other languages, for example, in Bulgaria, Lithuania and the Czech Republic - even in Russian.
If you bring more than 10 thousand euros into the EU and do not fill out a declaration, you can lose the entire amount exceeding this mark, and even receive additional sanctions in the form of a fine. So it’s better not to take risks and follow the laws of the country where you are going to vacation or live.
PS If you have questions about personal finance, investing and banking, ask in the comments. I will try to answer them as detailed and clear as possible.
When importing and exporting cash currency, Russians will have to confirm the origin of the money, if these are large amounts. The new norm is included in the draft Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union.
It was approved by the interdepartmental working group under the President of the Russian Federation. The head of the department of trade restrictions, currency and export control of the Federal Customs Service (FCS) Sergei Shklyaev told Rossiyskaya Gazeta about this.
The threshold amount for which individuals will have to explain the “pedigree” of money will be determined by the Eurasian Economic Commission. Various amounts are discussed, starting from 10 thousand dollars. Let us remind you that now citizens, when crossing the border, are required to declare in writing to customs an amount exceeding 10 thousand dollars. At the same time, unlimited amounts of cash are allowed to be exported and imported, even in suitcases.
Sergey Vladimirovich, what large sums of cash do individuals declare at customs today?
Sergey Shklyaev: Customs officers see more than a million in dollar equivalent quite often.
This year there were seven cases of export and 51 cases of import of currency over a million US dollars. More than $5 million was imported and exported twice.
Who is he, a modern dollar millionaire? His portrait?
Sergey Shklyaev: Not every passenger with a suitcase of currency is its owner. It happens that he is a hired courier and transports someone's money. We call them “cash couriers”; they themselves often do not have a permanent source of income and do not work anywhere. And the transportation of cash is associated with the laundering of criminal proceeds, with the financing of terrorism, and with illegal foreign trade transactions. Now this is of particular concern.
What about Rosfinmonitoring and the courts?
Sergey Shklyaev: What courts if couriers legally declare someone else’s currency, presenting the declaration with a smile?! We cannot prevent anyone, and the courts cannot, since there is currently no basis in the legislation to require confirmation of the legality of a suitcase with banknotes.
This year, more than a million dollars in cash were imported into Russia 51 times. And twice they took out more than 5 million
How will citizens confirm where their money comes from?
Sergey Shklyaev: What confuses you? If you legally sell an apartment, a car, shares, enter into an inheritance, or take out a loan, then there will be confirmation of this. The movement of legal capital always has documents.
What is the experience in other countries?
Sergey Shklyaev: Comprehensive capital controls are everywhere. Italy's financial guard controls the income and expenses of citizens; ordinary taxpayers report annually on financial activities - debits and credits are transparent.
Try to pay 500 euros in cash in a store abroad, they will look at you askance. They may even call the police, who will ask where you got a large amount of money from. It is not customary to carry cash there.
What currencies are most often carried across the border?
Sergey Shklyaev: Different and from different countries of the world, but, of course, dollars and euros prevail.
Many owners of foreign real estate do not want to show either money or property. In Russia there are not even statistics on how many apartments, villas and land Russians have abroad. Will citizens want to explain where their money comes from?
Sergey Shklyaev: Of course, there are those who cannot explain where their money comes from. But most have nothing to hide. I think that ordinary citizens, when crossing the border, will easily be able to confirm the legal origin of the cash they are carrying.
What is the scale of smuggling today?
Sergey Shklyaev: In the first half of 2015, under the article on smuggling, the country's customs officers opened 49 criminal cases worth 118 million rubles and 1,686 cases of administrative offenses worth 181 million rubles. Three hundred million, if you add it up.
What is behind administrative violations?
Sergey Shklyaev: The most common reason for not declaring currency is ignorance of the rules. Although at all checkpoints there are information areas where you can familiarize yourself with the rules for moving both goods and currency. This information is also available on the website of the Federal Customs Service of Russia in the “Information for Individuals” section.
Today, dollars or euros can be taken out of our country in suitcases, and no one has the right to check their purity
When importing large amounts of cash, what is the danger to society?
Sergey Shklyaev: These may be funds from illegal currency transactions carried out abroad. If there they operated outside of banking attention, serving the shadow economy, drug trafficking, extremism, and other illegal areas, then in Russia they can also work dishonestly.
Is there money on bank cards beyond suspicion?
Sergey Shklyaev: Yes, because monetary transactions there are under the supervision of the Central Bank and Rosfinmonitoring - bodies that exercise currency and financial control. In its analytical materials, the Central Bank shows the dynamics of dubious foreign exchange transactions in the total volume of capital outflow.
What is the overall share of illegal transactions?
Sergey Shklyaev: Withdrawal of capital can be either legal, which is associated with the natural circulation of world money, or illegal. Net capital outflow calculated by the Bank of Russia includes both types and contains such items as cross-border investments, bank loans, transactions with securities, etc.
The net outflow of capital from Russia in January-September 2015, according to preliminary data from the Central Bank, amounted to $45 billion. Over the past year, according to Central Bank estimates, almost $155 billion left the country. That is, the outflow has decreased.
Customs, monitoring foreign exchange transactions, identifies the illegal withdrawal of capital under the guise of foreign trade activities. In recent years, its volume has accounted for approximately a tenth of the total capital outflow. According to Central Bank estimates, in 2014 there were 8.61 billion dollars, in the first half of 2015 - 93 million dollars.
But do importers pay increased fees and duties?
Sergey Shklyaev: That's the thing, they don't pay. High-tech equipment that is not produced in Russia is exempt from taxes and duties. Not only are businessmen involved in the criminal withdrawal of capital from Russia, but they also receive benefits from the state.
This is possible because civil legislation still allows an enterprise to enter into a foreign economic transaction on any terms and set an arbitrary price for goods by agreement of the parties. In addition, it is allowed to transfer money in advance for the transaction. When we try to intervene, business immediately accuses us of creating administrative barriers, and the press picks it up.
In 2015, the Federal Customs Service of Russia initiated and transferred 137 criminal cases on facts of illegal withdrawal of funds abroad to the competent authorities. But one or two cases reached the court. All the others fell apart. Businessmen, when caught by the hand, simply extended the delivery time for goods. Businesses also have this right at any stage, even if a criminal case has been initiated.
This is our civil law. Customs does not have the ability to counteract such transactions within the powers assigned to it by customs and currency legislation. The country's leadership sees the severity of the problem. The task has been set to stop schemes arising due to legislative inconsistencies.
Customs officials have developed amendments to currency legislation to extend risk management principles to the country's regulatory services.
What's the main thing here?
Sergey Shklyaev: The key element is to know by sight those citizens who are “opaque” and conduct dubious currency transactions. This allows you to quickly make decisions even at the stage of someone planning illegal schemes.
The risk management system can also be useful when registering companies - it will determine whether it is necessary to register companies at all, the founders of which were previously caught in illegal currency schemes or were involved in the creation of shell companies.
Isn’t there such an exchange with tax authorities now?
Sergey Shklyaev: We exchange information about customs declarations. But not about specific individuals. Now we are starting to form such an exchange. This is why we need amendments to laws and an updated regulatory framework.
While the legislator is thinking, the exchange of information helps us. Thanks to intensified interaction with the Central Bank, it was possible to minimize the damage from the scheme of inflating the price of goods, which I have already mentioned. The Central Bank issued instructions to all authorized banks to be guided by customs information when making payments. As a result, contracts with overpriced goods decreased by more than 20 times. Last year there were 170 such contracts per month, and this year there are from six to ten.
The joint work was highly appreciated by the Chairman of the Bank of Russia, Elvira Nabiullina, at a meeting of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Combating Illegal Financial Transactions, led by Evgeny Shkolov, Assistant to the President of the country.
Which departments, in your opinion, should work in tandem with customs on a risk management system?
Sergey Shklyaev: First of all, Rosfinnadzor and Rosfinmonitoring, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the FSB, and, of course, the Central Bank. In order for us to fully transfer data on participants in currency transactions to these organizations, and for the information to have evidentiary value in the courts, amendments to the legislation are needed.
Where is the money going?
Sergei Vladimirovich, they are now talking about tightening currency legislation in order to limit the withdrawal of funds.
Sergey Shklyaev: The Customs Service itself initiates such proposals. They are aimed at combating shadow schemes for withdrawing money from the country, using gaps in legislation.
For example, a company transfers $300 million in advance to a foreign bank under a fictitious contract, but does not import goods for this amount into the country. From 2009 to 2012, transfers in favor of foreign partners using false declarations reached a trillion rubles.
A shell company is created, it makes advance payments to a foreign bank and disappears. Second scheme. Unscrupulous entrepreneurs buy, for example, a tomograph abroad, the real cost of which is a million euros, and in the contract they state a price of 10 - 20 million. When importing such equipment, we see glaring discrepancies, but we have no right to refuse release. The cost of some goods was inflated by more than 26 thousand times.
These schemes, unfortunately, appear to be completely legal and allow unscrupulous individuals to withdraw money from the country, effectively bypassing government controls over foreign exchange transactions. If in 2013, companies transferred 9 billion rubles abroad using such schemes, then in 2014, according to our estimates, the volumes reached 207 billion rubles. We fight such schemes when we amend the legislation.
And what do you suggest?
Sergey Shklyaev: We proposed to establish criminal liability for imaginary (feigned) foreign trade transactions based on the abuse of civil rights.
If the Federal Customs Service of Russia and other regulatory authorities receive the authority to appeal such transactions, then if, for example, an unrealistically inflated contract price is identified, they will have the right to directly go to court.
Secondly, as I already said, the topic of expanding the powers of regulatory authorities to verify the legality of the origin of funds transferred abroad by individuals is being discussed.
With the participation of the Federal Customs Service of Russia, an agreement is being prepared on the exchange of information between member states of the Eurasian Economic Union on the movement of funds by individuals across external borders. This will make it possible to see a complete picture of the movement of cash currency across the entire external border of the EAEU, and not just through its Russian section.
| Question | Answer |
| · Spain – no more than $10,000; · Israel – up to $29,000 or €21,000; · China – no more than $5000; · Thailand – up to $20,000; · Finland – $10,000; · Germany – $10,000; · Georgia – 25,000 GEL or 2,000 $. |
|
| 10,000 US dollars. | |
| At the exchange rate of another country. The calculation is based on the current exchange rate of the country into which the person is entering. | |
| · Russian rubles; · banknotes; · foreign currency; · coins in circulation, except those made of precious metal; · travel bills; · securities in the form of documents. |
|
| The violator faces administrative liability or a fine. The size of the fine depends on the size of the hidden amount of money. Restriction of freedom for up to 4 years or correctional labor is possible. |
|
| · Full name, date and place of birth, residential address; · participants of the Customs Union must indicate the place of registration; · for non-participants – point of stay (hotel, relatives’ address); · present a visa or passport; · indicate the amount imported across the border; · information about monetary instruments with the date, name of the organization that issued them, if an identification number is assigned; · information about the origin of funds (certificate of income, notice of sale of real estate); information about the intended use of money; · information about the person who imports funds, if they are not subject to; · travel route. |
|
| No, the amount of money on the card has no limit. |
Where and how to check the ban on leaving the Russian Federation - when should you not get into conflicts at the airport?
In 2019, no innovations are envisaged regarding the import and export of currency across the Russian border. But it should be remembered that in accordance with paragraph one of Article 200.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, the fine for currency smuggling ranges from 3 to 10 times the amount of the undeclared amount.
When traveling from Kyrgyzstan to Russia or from Kazakhstan to Armenia through the Russian Federation, there will be no restrictions on the import of currency, since, from the point of view of the customs authorities, this is considered movement through a single customs zone.
When crossing the border in the customs zone of the Russian Federation, in accordance with Law No. 90-FZ, it is required to declare in writing the import of cash into the country if its amount exceeds the established limit of 10 thousand US dollars.
What means are taken into account
When passing control at customs, the following are taken into account:
- cash foreign currency;
- banknotes, treasury notes;
- Russian rubles;
- coins in circulation, except those made of precious metals;
- traveler's, bank checks, bills of exchange;
- external and internal securities in the form of documents confirming payment of debt obligations if the individual data of the person to whom they are intended is not indicated.
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The total amount of money in the equivalent of up to 10,000 US dollars is not subject to declaration.
Ordinary people can transport these valuables without quantitative restrictions.
The control procedure itself allows you to maintain statistics and track the movement of large amounts of cash, as well as securities.
Import standards
For individuals, there are requirements for importing currency into Russia at a time in a total amount equal to or not more than $10,000. There is no need to declare cash or traveler's checks. When the amount available to a foreigner exceeds the specified limit, it is mandatory to fill out a declaration.
A citizen has the right to register imported funds upon entry, not exceeding 10 thousand, at his own request.
Those planning to cross the border or go on vacation abroad are concerned about the amount of money that can be imported into other countries without declaration. For example, when entering the European Union, you are allowed to freely import amounts in the equivalent of up to 10,000 euros. You can freely export to other countries:
- Thailand – up to $20,000.
- China – up to $5,000.
- Israel – $29 thousand or 21 thousand €.
- Spain – up to $10,000.
- Finland – up to $10,000.
- Germany - 10,000 €.
- Czech Republic – 10,000 €.
- Georgia – up to 25,000 lari or $2,000.
- Kazakhstan – up to $10,000.
- Ukraine – up to 10,000 €.
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What does not need to be declared
There is no need to declare the import of funds if the amount per person, including a child, is equal to or less than 10 thousand US dollars. For example, if a family of 3 people arrives - two adults and one minor, the customs officer has the right to allow an amount of 30 thousand US dollars to pass without declaration.
Citizens who import money in another currency, in an amount close to 10 thousand dollars, should inquire in advance about its exchange rate in effect at the time of entry, so as not to exceed the limit.
Those who do not import currency or goods that require clearance can pass through the customs zone along the so-called green corridor.
Filling out the declaration
The passenger customs declaration has a standard form that must be filled out at the airport before boarding the plane, or at the station, by hand in block letters. It states: 
- Full name, place and date of birth, home address;
- residents of the Customs Union (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia) need to indicate their place of residence (registration);
- for non-residents of the Customs Union - the point where the foreigner is temporarily staying (hotel, address of friends, relatives, acquaintances, etc.);
- present a document on the basis of which entry is carried out (visa, foreign passport, etc.);
- the amount imported into Russia;
- data on monetary instruments (except for traveler's checks) with the date, name of the organization that issued them, if an identification number is assigned;
- information about the origin of imported/exported funds - a certificate of income received, confirmation of the sale of property, notarized deeds of gift, inheritance documents, etc.;
- information about the intended use of money;
- information about the owner of the imported finances, if they do not belong to the declarant;
- delivery option and route (mode of transport).
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Fees
There is no duty charged when moving money across borders. Cash in various currencies equivalent to $10,000 is imported duty-free. If there is more, you need to obtain the appropriate permission from the bank for export.
Fine for smuggling
Declaring money at customs that exceeds the established limit, which does not need to be formalized, is a mandatory rule for legitimately crossing the country’s border, along with other conditions in force in the Russian Federation.
Illegal movement through customs of funds that are not declared in the declaration and exceed those established by the rules of transportation entails administrative liability or a fine to the person carrying out this illegal action. Its size depends on aggravating circumstances (volume, number of persons involved), and exceeds the amount hidden from customs authorities by 3–15 times.
It is also possible to restrict freedom for up to 4 years or perform forced labor for a similar period.
A particularly large amount is considered to be an amount that is 2 times larger than what is allowed for transportation by customs rules. Finances identified during inspection may be confiscated by court decision.
