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Link arrow DHL Russia | Link arrow Country Profile | Express Import Guidelines

DHL Express Import Guidelines: Russia

Shipping guidelines, standard prohibitions and restrictions to consider when sending express shipments to Russia.
Please be aware that all goods, including documents, imported to Russia, regardless of their value are subject to customs clearance.

DHL Express is aimed to provide our customers with a smooth, high quality service. To avoid any unexpectedness when importing goods to Russia, please firstly check a possibility of your shipment’s delivery to a particular location. Please contact DHL Customer Service team in your respective city for further assistance.

Shipping Commodities – What You Need to Know

From Russian Customs legislation perspective any commodity is considered as a good. Any commodities which have customs value are considered by DHL as “Non-Document” and need to be accompanied by an invoice and, in some cases, additional customs documentation. Paperback commodities, which have no customs value and which are shipped not as a part of foreign trade transactions are considered simply as a “Document” and only require a DHL Waybill to be completed. The following list explains what you need to do in order to ship various commodities.

Document Commodities (Require only DHL Waybill)

Business documents with no customs value
Correspondence
Hard copy of agreements, invoices
Hard copy of reports, etc

Commodities where you should contact your local Customer Service advisor to clarify shipping requirements

Banking cards
Passport
Equipment
Spare parts
Data storage devices (CD, SD card)
Laptop
Mobile phones, etc
All other commodities that are Non-Document in nature should be accompanied by a DHL Waybill and an Invoice.
The import of DHL EXPRESS WORLDWIDE Non-document (e.g. dutiable) shipments addressed to private individuals has been temporarily restricted to all destinations in Russia. 

There are no restrictions on the import of express shipments addressed to corporate entities and organizations. For further details, please contact a DHL customer service advisor at +7 495 961 1001.

Prohibited Commodities for Russia

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Antiques
  • Asbestos
  • Furs
  • Hazardous or combustible materials (as defined in IATA Regulations)
  • Oil subject to excise (fuel)
The following commodities are not acceptable for transport by DHL under any circumstances.

This is a result of a policy decision, following the full consideration of Operational, Legal and Risk Management implications.

  • Live animals
  • Hunting (Animal) trophies, animal parts such as ivory and sharks fin, animal remains, or Animal-by-Products and derived products not intended for human consumption, prohibited for movement by the CITES Convention and/or local law.
  • Human remains or ashes
  • Bullion (of any precious metal)
  • Cash (current legal tender)
  • Loose precious and semi-precious stones
  • Complete firearms, ammunition, explosives / explosive devices
  • Illegal goods, such as counterfeit goods and narcotics
Property, the carriage of which is prohibited by any law, regulation or statute of any federal, state or local government of any country to or through which the shipment may be carried.

If you are in any doubt as to the acceptability of your goods, please contact your DHL representative prior to shipping.

Counterfeit Goods are Prohibited

DHL's security policy states that it is not allowed to transport counterfeit goods via the DHL network. DHL does not want to be associated with counterfeit goods and upon suspicion of such goods being imported, Customs will be informed. It is prohibited in many countries to introduce counterfeit goods and where proven the Customs authority will seize the goods and penalize the buyer.
 If you are offered very low prices for branded goods that are sold on shopping websites or via other channels, you can normally assume that the goods are counterfeit. High quality branded goods that are often copied are:
  • Shoes
  • Clothing
  • Bags
  • Expensive Watches
  • CDs and DVDs
  • Perfumes
  • Electronics
 

Worldwide Express Import Guidelines

Worldwide Express Import Guidelines

Import guidelines for more than 220 other countries and territories covered by DHL Express worldwide.

Need Customs Support?

Our online tools and practical advice can help you understand the world of Customs and its complex terminology, paperwork and guidelines.
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