Chain Carousel: how Customs is fighting the smuggling of strategic goods
The smuggling of strategic goods disguised as personal items has become a sought-after service on the black market. Individual citizens leave Russia and return with a cargo of luxury goods, jewelry and expensive gadgets. In case of exposure, most claim that they were not familiar with the customs regulations. Data from the Federal Customs Service of Russia indicates an increase in attempts by shuttles to smuggle "strategically important goods and resources" across the border. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.
What is being transported and exported
Most often, attempts are made to import or export precious metal products under the guise of personal property. The number of such attempts increased significantly after the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions, a source familiar with the situation at customs told Izvestia. His words are confirmed by the statistics of the Federal Customs Service of Russia. In recent years, the number of criminal cases initiated under Article 226.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation has increased significantly ("Smuggling of pathogenic biological agents, potent, poisonous, toxic, explosive, radioactive substances, radiation sources, nuclear materials, firearms or their main parts, explosive devices, ammunition, other weapons, other military equipment, as well as raw materials, materials, equipment, technologies, scientific and technical information or the results of intellectual activity that can be used in the creation of weapons or military equipment, as well as strategically important goods and resources or cultural values or especially valuable wild animals, aquatic biological resources, plants and fungi").
—In 2022, there were 258 criminal cases, the cost of illegally displaced goods amounted to 6.8 billion rubles, in 2023 — 329 cases, the cost of goods amounted to 4.3 billion rubles, in 2024 — 419 cases, the cost of goods amounted to 3.2 billion rubles," the FCS said in response to a request from Izvestia. This year, the customs authorities have opened 121 criminal cases under Article 226.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — the total value of the displaced goods amounted to 1.5 billion rubles.
"In most cases, alcohol and tobacco products, timber, as well as jewelry made of precious metals and stones were the subjects of crimes," the customs officers explained.
The service clarified that since the beginning of 2025, 226 cases of administrative offenses in the field of customs legislation have also been initiated (Article 16.3 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation — 134 protocols, Part 1 of Article 16.2 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation — 90 protocols, Part 2 of Article 16.1 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation — two protocols). These offenses also relate to strategically important goods and resources, but pose less danger to the economy. The total value of the seized items is about 74.8 million rubles.
From 2022 to 2024, customs officials initiated 3,758 proceedings in cases of administrative offenses of this kind, the total value of goods transported across the border amounted to almost 1.9 billion rubles.
Gold for export
They often try to export gold from Russia. For example, at the Grozny airport in late February, three Russian women flying to Istanbul were caught transporting gold chains. A case has been opened on the smuggling of strategic goods (Part 1 of Article 226.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
— The examination has established that this is refined gold of the 999th grade. The violators explained that these were their personal belongings, and they were not familiar with the customs rules, the press service of the Federal Customs Service reported. The total weight of gold was 730 g, which is estimated at 5.7 million rubles.
A 26-year-old Russian tried to smuggle almost the same chains to Turkey from Grozny airport. The examination estimated the 999th gold sample weighing 245 g at 3.8 million rubles. According to Izvestia's source in the transport police, such items are melted down after being transported abroad to make expensive jewelry.
Gold for import
The products of famous jewelry brands are imported into the country. In April, it was reported that 17 undeclared jewelry from leading world brands worth 5 million rubles was seized from a Russian woman. She arrived in Moscow from the UAE.
— 17 Cartier, Hermes, Van Cleef and Arpels, Casa Gi, and Rolex jewelry items were found in the 32-year-old Russian woman's carry-on luggage. She explained that she had been buying jewelry for a long time, she was not familiar with the rules, the FCS reported. Passengers from this Arab country are more likely than others to be caught with unaccounted-for luxury items when returning home. On February 25, a Russian vacationer in Dubai tried to import an undeclared ring with an approximate value of 22 million rubles through one of the Moscow airports. The detainee explained that it was a gift to the bride. A week earlier, a Russian woman was detained at the same airport by customs, who was transporting a ring and watch of luxury French brands without a declaration. She stated that the jewels were a gift from her husband, and their value was unknown to her. In each of these cases, the persons involved in the investigations claimed that they were not familiar with the rules of transportation.
But more and more often, customs officers are faced with wholesale smuggling using "live parcels".
"There are people who make a living by transporting [things] on themselves, usually they are girls of model appearance who often fly to the UAE, Western countries," a source in the transport police told Izvestia. — Another category of shuttles is airline employees. Flight attendants have a fairly modest salary, so some violate the internal rules of the employer and customs regulations — they take products to order abroad and have a decent percentage from this.
As Izvestia found out, there are numerous channels in social networks offering services for the transfer of documents, keys, products, gadgets, executive goods, medicines and other goods from abroad. The announcements indicate the courier's phone numbers and the date of the flight, as well as the name of the message. There are even options without prepayment if we are talking about a liquid product.
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the investigation of a criminal case against airline employees who were carrying drugs in their hand luggage. The flight attendants themselves believed that they were transporting expensive shampoo for a chain of hairdressers, but in fact there was a prohibited substance in the vials. On February 25, the Moscow Regional Court found two flight attendants innocent of smuggling and attempted drug trafficking in this case. The verdict was based on the acquittal verdict of the jury.
When do I need a declaration?
Trouble may arise if a customs inspector finds jewelry in which the mass of precious metals and precious stones exceeds the permissible limits, explains Alla Georgieva, a civil lawyer.
"The products are seized for examination, an inventory of the seized property and a protocol of seizure are drawn up," the Izvestia interlocutor explains the procedure. — It does not matter where such an ornament will be located — in a suitcase or on the person himself (in his ears, hands, neck, clothes, etc.), purchased for himself or for sale, a gift or something else.
She recalled that, according to the law "On Precious Metals and Precious Stones", these include gold, silver, platinum and platinum group metals (palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium and osmium), natural diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, alexandrites and unique amber formations.
— Such items become contraband if they are not declared at the border. And if they are not declared, it means that the person is evading customs duties. Liability for such violations is provided for both administratively and criminally (Articles 194, 226.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
Between administrative and criminal cases
As the lawyer explains, the initiation of criminal proceedings depends on the amount of imported items.
— Jewelry and precious items will be contraband: rings, bracelets, earrings, chains, necklaces, pendants, pendants, brooches, cufflinks, watches, straps, etc., if their total value exceeds 10 thousand euros and they are not declared. A similar limit has been set for gadgets and appliances — up to 10 thousand euros; precious stones — the total cost of up to 25 thousand euros; currency — the total cost of up to 10 thousand euros (decision of the EEC Council dated 20.12.2017 No. 107 "On certain issues related to goods for personal use"). However, each category has its own limit, they do not add up.
Georgieva stressed that the valuation of the goods in the declaration is less than its actual value, eliminating the prospect of criminal prosecution.
— The norms of administrative law (art. 16.2 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation) will already apply here, since there was no direct intent to commit a crime.
The customs declaration must be completed in two copies (one for customs and the other for the passenger). The document is given to the customs officer when passing through the "red corridor", and a check mark is placed on it.
When a declaration is not required
If the items are intended for personal use and their cost is less than 10 thousand euros, and their weight is not more than 50 kg, then a declaration is not required, says the lawyer. At the same time, it is recommended to have documents confirming the legality of their purchase and the exact cost (for example, receipts, invoices, and other documents).
Alla Georgieva advises you to familiarize yourself with the customs regulations in advance on the official website of the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation.
— Otherwise, you can lose not only your property, but also your freedom. Plus, they can impose a fine in the amount of 50 to 200% of the value of the property.
She recalled that the list of goods and resources classified as strategically important was approved by the Government of the Russian Federation for the purposes of Article 226.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
Nuances of justice
—Article 226.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provides for liability for the smuggling of strategically important goods on a large scale, that is, in the amount of more than 1 million rubles, in the form of imprisonment for up to five years, and in the case of a crime committed as part of an organized group, up to 12 years," lawyer Pavel Korniako told Izvestia.
Article 194 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provides for liability of up to two years in prison for non-payment of customs duties, the amount of which exceeds 2 million rubles.
— If you are not sure that the cost of jewelry is less than 10 thousand euros or 1 million rubles, do not go through the "green corridor", advises Korniako. — If you step over the green line, even just to ask a question, it means that you will make it clear to the customs officers that you do not have any goods to declare. It is better to choose the "red corridor" and notify the inspectors that you have a piece of jewelry. Show the documents confirming the purchase of the product and declare your willingness to declare it.
The lawyer urges you to consult with a lawyer before purchasing jewelry and other valuables abroad.
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