Hi all:
I have a doubt related to the russian customs. I have lived in Russia for a year and in that period of time, I have bought several souvenirs for my friends and family. I don't have any problem or doubt with those, but with one specific present I have bought to a friend of mine. It is a clock I bought in the market in Vernisazh and as it is 40 years old and it is CCCP written on it, i don't know if i will have any problem to pass it throught russian customs. I have read the rules in several websites and it says it is ok if it is not older than 70. Has someone more info about that?Any advice about what i should do to take that clock to my country? I have read also that I may need to take a certificate of the Culture Office saying it has no intelectual or cultural value. Do i need that certificate if it is only 40 years old or is that for the objects older than 70 again?
I would appreciate any help on this. Thanks in advance.
Can you prove that it is only 40 years old? If not, then I would suggest that you probably need to get some officially notarized documentation to prove the age of the item.
Do you have a copy of the customs rules in Russian to show the officials when you depart? If they tell you that you need documents you don't have are you willing to part with your clock? If not, then I would get every document that anyone suggests.
Ruth
Hi Ruth:
It is written in the clock the year it belongs so that's why i am not sure if i really need any paper of that's enough.
The Ministry of Culture has offices in most cities where an item can be authenticated and a release can be issued if it is exportable. Any art or collectible should be checked this way because fines can be substantial, more than the value of the confiscated item. If there is any doubt in the minds of customs officials, the only document they recognize is the Ministry of Culture release.
I find that not only is it pretty easy to do but it gives me peace of mind that I have what I think it is, the offices have real experts on staff. They can tell you a lot of about the object that would be very hard to find otherwise.
Any art gallery or antique store clerk can give you directions.
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