Russian customs

[KenInUtah]

Hey guys,

Silly question, can you take wrapped gifts through customs in Moscow or will they need to unwrap them?  I will take all receipts with me and nothing that has to be declared so Green Line will work for me.

[mendeleyev]

Not silly at all. Everything is x-ray scanned and anything that causes suspicion is checked. If you go through when they are busy, sometimes they pick and choose who to inspect. Personally, just to be safe, I'd not wrap just yet.

Except for prescription drugs in original packaging, I usually do not offer receipts readily. If asked, it is a personal item, or a gift.

[KenInUtah]

OK, so here is what I have.  A bag with my clothing and gifts weighing about 15kg.  The gifts are valued at about $400 total (aggregate) and my cell phone (for pictures and internet - not calls) plus a couple hundred dollars in cash (rest on cards).  If I am reading the customs page, I don't have to declare anything, right?

[Faux Pas]

OK, so here is what I have.  A bag with my clothing and gifts weighing about 15kg.  The gifts are valued at about $400 total (aggregate) and my cell phone (for pictures and internet - not calls) plus a couple hundred dollars in cash (rest on cards).  If I am reading the customs page, I don't have to declare anything, right?

You can leave them wrapped if you choose. Worse case scenario they unwrap them. Doesn't sound like you have anything to declare. I've never found them too particular. Don't act like a rube, don't smile or shift your eyes around too much and hit the green line, you'll be fine.

[Doll]

OK, so here is what I have.  A bag with my clothing and gifts weighing about 15kg.  The gifts are valued at about $400 total (aggregate) and my cell phone (for pictures and internet - not calls) plus a couple hundred dollars in cash (rest on cards).  If I am reading the customs page, I don't have to declare anything, right?

Correct.

[Chicagoguy]

In 15 trips there I was never checked. BUT on 1 I made a mistake ? I was on green line and I made eye contact with the woman official. That is all it took.
Some kind of body language ? Or maybe because I was delayed and there was no one in front of me or behind me ?

I never bring anything I am not supposed to.