Money and duty free for Russia

Currency and Money

Currency information

Rouble (RUB; symbol руб) = 100 kopeks. Notes are in denominations of 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 10, 5 and 1 kopeks.

Credit cards

International credit and debit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, are not accepted in Russia.

ATM

ATMs are widely available throughout Russia, although international credit and debit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, are not accepted in Russia.

Travellers cheques

Cash is preferred. 

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1800.

Currency restrictions

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, but must be declared. The export of foreign currency is limited to the equivalent of $10,000. The export of sums greater than the equivalent of $10,000 will be fined. Please note: It is prohibited to import cash into the Russian Federation in the official currencies of the EU member states. When entering Kaliningrad from Lithuania, the export of €60 per person for personal use is permitted.

Currency exchange

Foreign currency should only be exchanged at official bureaux and authorised banks. You will usually need your passport to change money. It is wise to retain all exchange receipts. Bureaux de change are numerous and easy to locate. 

Russia duty free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into Russia by persons aged 18 years and older without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco products.
• 3L of alcohol.
• Gifts and other goods up to a value of €10,000 (if entering by plane) / Gifts and other goods up to a value of €1,500 and a total weight of up to 50 kg (when entering by sea or land).

Banned Imports

Arms and ammunition, undercover surveillance and intelligence gathering equipment, and narcotics. Please note: It is prohibited to import cash into the Russian Federation in the official currencies of the EU member states. However, when entering Kaliningrad from Lithuania, the export of €60 per person for personal use is permitted.

Banned Exports

Arms and ammunition, undercover surveillance and intelligence gathering equipment, narcotics, objects of cultural value, plants and seeds, vegetables, raw precious metals, minerals, wild plants and animals, and endangered species (unless you have a permit).