United States Postal Service
International Mailng Manual:  Russia
 
75 IMM 20, Updated With Postal Bulletin Revisions Through November 5, 1998 
Country Conditions for Mailing K3 Russia Russian Federation 

Prohibitions (130) Perishable infectious biological substances. 
Perishable noninfectious biological substances. Radioactive materials. 

Firearms and ammunition, explosives, combat weapons. Printed materials, plates, negatives, developed films,  photographs, movies, video recordings, magnetic computer information storage media, manuscripts, records and other sound recordings, drawings and other printed materials, and forms of plastic art politically or economically damaging to the country. Pornographic, vulgar, and erotic materials. Russian and foreign currency, government securities and Russian lottery tickets, Russian Vnieshposyltorg and Vniesheconombanque checks. Eurocheck system forms and access cards. 
Undeveloped movies and photographic films, photographic plates and paper. Eggs, honey, pollen, wax, honeycomb. High frequency radio-electronic devices (transmitters and receivers) regardless of strength, high frequency ultrasound equipment, and generators for industrial, scientific, and medical use, and location detection devices used to measure transportation speed. Copying/ reproduction equipment (with the exception of typewriters). 

Observations

1. Letter packages (ordinary or registered) must not contain any articles other than written personal messages, documents, receipts, invoices, statements, and personal photographs. 

2. Postal items containing admitted articles in the quantities specified are delivered to the addressee upon payment of customs duty. No duty is collected when the aggregate value of the contents does not exceed the equivalent of a retail price of 30 Russian roubles.

3. If prohibited articles are sent in postal items, one of the 
    following three procedures is followed:
    (a) confiscation of the entire item; 
    (b) confiscation of the prohibited articles, the rest of the  
          contents delivered to the addressee; 
    (c) return of the item to the country of origin.

4. In accordance with internal regulations, Return Receipts 
(Advice of Delivery) are initialed or signed by a postal official to indicate delivery. The addressee will not sign the receipt. 

5. All customs declaration forms on mail must list the contents in English and include an interline translation in French or a language used in the country. If additional space is necessary to list the contents, a second customs form should be used and the original form annotated to that effect. 

6. Books, newspapers, magazines, and other printed materials are admitted without restriction with the exception of printed materials that are referred to above under Prohibitions. 

7. Commercial shipments must be accompanied by the necessary invoices and permits. 

8. Licensed parcels mailed to Russia from private parcel companies that have entered into a contract with V/ O 
Vnieshposyltorg (International Parcel Service) are admitted. Private parcel companies will generally affix a license to the 
parcel indicating the contents and that duties have been prepaid. 

Restrictions Hunting weapons require prior authority of the Russian Ministry of the Interior. Seeds, plants, root tubers, bulbs and other plant parts, fruits, legumes, and fresh vegetables are admitted as authorized by the State Quarantine Inspectorate Agroindustrial Committee. Seeds and plants must be accompanied by plant health certificates and import/ export permits. Medicines and vitamins are admitted as authorized by the Bureau for Registration of Medicines and Pharmaceuticals. Canceled or uncanceled postage stamps are admitted within the framework of organized philatelic exchanges.  The following articles may be mailed provided the specific quantity is observed and the articles are for the personal use of the addressee. 

Description of Articles Unit of Measurement Maximum Quantity Allowed:

1. Clothing (coats, overcoats, jackets) piece/ pair 3 of each 

2. Fabric meter 10 

3. Standard electronic radio and video equipment, spare parts, and    accessories piece 1 of each 

4. Cameras, VCRs and movie cameras, lenses, spare parts and         accessories piece 1 of each 

5. Electronic music equipment and electronic musical instruments (keyboards, synthesizers, etc.), accessories and spare parts piece 1 of each 

6. All types of sound recording devices (cassettes, reels, laser disks) piece 10 

7. All types of video recording devices (cassettes, reels, disks, etc.) piece 

8. Personal computers and peripheral equipment set 1 

9. Personal computer information storage media. Information storage media with prerecorded information are admissible only with information from the sender on the type of microcomputer and operating system used to record the information in question 
piece total of 15 

10. Phonograph records piece/ set 15/ 2 Except for articles whose import is expressly prohibited, items not subject to the above limits will be admitted, without restrictions, provided that they are for the personal use of the addressee.  

 
Customs Forms Required (123) Postal Union Mail (LC/ AO): PS Form 2976 or 2976-A 
(see 123.61) 
Parcel Post: PS Form 2976-A inside 2976-E (envelope) 

Matter for the Blind: See 142 
Parcel Post: Maximum length: 42 inches 
Maximum length and girth combined: 79 inches