How many cigarettes can you bring into Latvia? Latvia

Do you know what you can bring across the Latvian border? If you don’t know, then read this material carefully, otherwise you may inadvertently become a smuggler.

Tips on how not to become a smuggler

To court - for a bottle

A resident of the Daugavpils region is now on trial, although, according to her, she did not commit any illegal actions.

This detective story began with a trip to Belarusian relatives. As you know, many residents of Latgale have roots in a neighboring country, the border with which is just a stone's throw away. The couple went to visit in their personal car. And they brought back a gift - two liters of vodka.

The couple offered to pay customs duty for the “excess.” However, according to them, they simply wanted to confiscate the second bottle. At the customs point, an administrative protocol was immediately drawn up against the “violators”; the next day they were ordered to come to a meeting of the administrative commission. The couple came. They tried to explain that they had acted in full accordance with the instructions of the Daugavpils Customs Department, that they were not hiding anything, they were openly carrying two liters of “Officer” vodka. It all ended with the initiation of a criminal case. Moreover, the residents of Latgale to this day do not understand what illegal things they did?

"Shuttle" business

In Daugavpils, a lot of people work part-time on shuttle flights to Belarus and back. Cars with converted tanks go for gasoline, which is much cheaper in the neighboring country. Women in the role of “shuttles” carry various small things in their bags: curd cheese, mayonnaise, a couple of bottles of vodka. Some specialize in medications: neighbors still have Corvalol and Validol without prescriptions. Cheesecakes abroad, for example, cost only eight centimes with our money. They sell them for 12-13 centimes. Taking into account travel expenses, the income from each trip is less than ten lats. They sell by going around city offices, offering their goods. A good extra income for retirement.

Are there any conflicts at customs? - I ask the “peddler” Maria.

And I'm not breaking anything. Of course, I have heard about extortions at customs, but this applies to market traders who carry huge bags of goods. As far as I know, they have a fee of one hundred dollars for a passport, and a full bag can pass for personal belongings. What will you take from us? You can carry 10 kilograms of food. I travel by regular bus. If everyone's bags are emptied and everything is weighed down to the gram, a traffic jam will form at the border. This is not usually done. But sometimes Latvian customs may selectively conduct a thorough inspection. Then goodbye cheesecakes. They will be burned in a special oven. If you want to make sure that they are destroyed, you can be present. But there are no people willing to take a look. They also travel from Daugavpils for sugar. The price is almost the same, but housewives believe that it is more suitable for jam. There are also “ladies’ flights” for Belarusian goods: shoes, coats, fur coats. Good factory products there are cheaper than here. Usually they hire a minibus and go shopping. You can import new goods only in the amount of 175 euros. Therefore, such “lady buses” on the way there look very modest, everyone is dressed almost in tracksuits, and on the way back, fashionistas dress up in new clothes and go out at the border as if for a parade.

Daugavpils resident Viktor Buchel often travels to visit his relatives in Belarus. Usually it goes through customs without incident. Although incidents do happen.

Once I was returning from my mother-in-law when new European rules were introduced. And in the village it’s like this: if you don’t take meat and eggs, it means you’ll offend your relatives. They say that you were poorly received since you disdain our gifts. Well, they brought a shoulder of pig and a basket of fresh eggs. Customs announced that the import of such products is prohibited. The son laughs: well, Dad, we’ll drink three raw eggs each, but we won’t be able to handle any more. In general, they confiscated it. Another time, trouble happened to me at Belarusian customs. It was necessary to correct the grave. In order not to run around shopping, I bought a bag of cement in Daugavpils. Then it cost three lats. And at customs they demanded a duty of 75 euros for the imported goods! I had to leave it and go to a Belarusian store.

Law is law

Chairman of the Belarusian national-cultural society “Uzdym” Boris Ivanov often travels to his historical homeland, including on business matters. He believes changes in the law can sometimes be difficult to keep up with.

For example, on June 21 last year, the Seimas adopted a package of changes to the Criminal Law aimed at tightening the fight against counterfeit alcoholic beverages. So, importing a bottle of “homemade liqueur purely for yourself” is strictly prohibited. By the way, only a liter of alcohol with a strength above 22 degrees per person can be brought to Belarus from Latvia.

There is such a subtlety: alcohol is also included in the 10 kilograms of food that can be transported. Not everyone knows that there is a difference between excisable goods and those that are not subject to additional tax. For example, I myself once brought too much cheese for the children, and in the bag there was both sugar and the traditional two bottles. When the customs officer told me that the products exceeded the established 10 kilograms, I myself proposed to confiscate the sugar, since I promised the children to bring more cheese curds. But they told me that confiscation of excise goods is a serious matter, and it’s better not to start. I had to sacrifice some cheese.

Wait, what are you bringing?

Conflict situations at the border when individuals from the former CIS countries and others who are not EU members enter Latvia can be avoided if you remember the short rules. They boil down to what you can take with you without declaring or paying customs tax.

One liter of strong (above 22 degrees) alcoholic drinks and no more than two liters of non-fizzy wines.

There is another permitted set of intoxicating drinks: two liters of alcoholic drinks with a strength below 22 degrees and plus two liters of sparkling or carbonated, as well as simple table and dry wines.

The maximum number of cigarettes is 200 pieces, or 250 grams of tobacco.

The volume of eau de toilette should not be more than 250 milliliters, perfume - no more than 50 milliliters.

The weight of food cannot exceed 10 kilograms per person. This excludes all types of meat and dairy products, including cheeses.

The total cost of new things imported into Latvia in luggage for gifts and for yourself personally - clothes, underwear, shoes - should not exceed 175 euros. It is best to keep the store receipts and present them to the customs officer so that the inspection procedure is not delayed and disputes do not arise.

The same applies to jewelry made of precious and semi-precious stones, silver, and gold.

This rule does not apply to jewelry worn by a citizen.

It is prohibited to import firearms, bladed weapons, and drugs.

Information portal of Daugavpils; 11/12/08

When entering Latvia from a country that is not a member of the European Union, for example, the USA, Uzbekistan, etc., as well as from certain EU territories (Åland Islands, Channel Islands, in the Federal Republic of Germany - the islands of Heligoland, the territory of Bisingen, in the Italian Republic - Livigno, Campioni d'Italia and the Italian territorial waters of Lake Lugano, in the Kingdom of Spain - Ceuta, Melilla and the Canary Islands islands, in the French Republic - overseas departments of the Republic of France) you are allowed to import without paying taxes:

1. Goods for personal use, own consumption or gifts, if their total value per person does not exceed:

210 lats (300 EUR) – if the traveler enters by land;
300 lats (420 EUR) – if the traveler enters by air or sea;
Children under the age of 15, regardless of the method of entry, are allowed to import goods for personal use if their value does not exceed 200 lats.

The total price does not include:

the cost of personal luggage imported by the traveler temporarily or imported back after temporary export;
the cost of medications needed for the traveler’s personal needs;
tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and fuel imported in personal baggage, subject to certain quantity restrictions.

2. Tobacco products:

2.1. if traveling by air:

200 cigarettes, or
100 cigarillos (cigars, each weighing no more than 3 grams), or
50 cigars, or
250 grams of smoking tobacco, or

2.2. if traveling by other means of transport:

40 cigarettes, or
20 cigarillos (cigars, each of which weighs no more than 3 grams), or
10 cigars, or
50 grams of smoking tobacco, or
tobacco products in any combination, as long as the percentage used for the individually designated quantities does not collectively exceed 100 percent.

3. Alcoholic drinks:

1 liter of distilled drinks and alcohol if the alcohol content exceeds 22%; undenatured ethyl alcohol with an alcohol concentration of 80% or more by volume, or
2 liters of distilled drinks, alcohol and aperitifs based on wine or alcohol, in which the alcohol content does not exceed 22%; sparkling wine, dessert (liqueur) wine;
the alcoholic beverages mentioned in the above paragraphs in any combination, if the percentage used for individually determined quantities does not exceed 100 percent in the aggregate; 3.4. 4 liters of still (still) wine;
16 liters of beer.

Persons under 18 years of age are not exempt from paying taxes on the import of tobacco and alcohol products.

4. Petroleum products (fuel):

in a standard container for a fuel vehicle;
in portable fuel containers - no more than 10 liters per vehicle.

5. Soft drinks and coffee, observing the stipulated cost restrictions for the transport of goods (see point 1).

When importing larger volumes of goods into the European Union than indicated above, the goods must be declared when crossing the border and excise tax must be paid for the excess volume of goods at the internal office of the State Revenue Service.

Restrictions on the import of food products for personal consumption from 05/01/2009

In personal luggage for personal consumption to the European Union, including Latvia, It is prohibited to import:

meat and meat products (lard, fresh or processed meat, including poultry, animal fat, sausages of various types, canned meat, flour products filled with meat or containing meat, pasta, sauces, soups, etc.)
milk and dairy products (milk, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, kefir, cheese, butter, condensed milk, ice cream, etc.)
pet food that contains meat or milk (pet food, dog chew toys, wholemeal mixtures).

Food products that are prohibited from being brought into the European Union for personal consumption are also It is prohibited to send by mail.

To the countries of the European Union, including Latvia, from other countries without veterinary border control for own consumption It is allowed to import and send by mail:

up to 2 kg of the following animal products:

honey, eggs, live oysters, live shellfish and snails, royal jelly, propolis;
powdered milk for infants, baby food, special medical food, as well as food for pets in appropriate patented packaging, which indicates the manufacturer’s information about the special use,

up to 20 kg of fishing products (except for sturgeon caviar - up to 125 g according to the labeling on the package):

fresh (necessarily gutted (also those that are imported whole), dried, heat-treated, salted, smoked fish or canned fish;
various crustaceans, for example, shrimp, lobsters.

up to 10 kg (and receive up to 1 kg in a postal parcel) of food products, for example:

bread, cakes, cookies, chocolate and confectionery (including sweets) that do not contain meat products or whose filling does not contain meat products;
pasta and noodles that are not mixed or filled with meat products;
packaged broth and seasonings, meat extracts and concentrates;
olives with fish filling;
food supplements in packaging;
any other food products that do not contain fresh or processed meat or dairy products, or that contain less than 50% processed eggs or fish products.

If the established rules are not followed, the customs official will confiscates and they will destroyed. For violation of the requirements for the import of products of animal origin, you can be called to administrative responsibility, and in case of repeated violation - impose a fine.

To prevent an administrative offense from being committed, we ask you to throw away food products prohibited for import into specially marked containers at the customs checkpoint before customs control.

More detailed information about the conditions for the import of food products and product groups that have specific requirements (for example, food fortifiers, mineral water, sports nutrition) can be obtained from Sanitary Border Inspectorate of the Food and Veterinary Service of Latvia.

Telephone: +371 6702782,

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You must have JavaScript enabled to view it.

Latvia has golden beaches and historic castles to offer, exciting festivals and plenty of business opportunities. It is not surprising that hundreds of thousands of Russians cross the country’s border every year. However, being a full member of the EU and Schengen, Latvia has established fairly strict entry rules. Therefore, when preparing for your trip, it is worth finding out how the Latvian border is arranged and what the basic rules for crossing it are in force in 2019.

Latvia is a participating country, therefore it is necessary to cross its border in accordance with the requirements: for citizens of the Russian Federation with a visa.

As of 2019, there are four vehicle checkpoints on the Russian-Latvian border. It is convenient to assess their location using a map:

As can be seen from the map above, the closest of them when traveling from Moscow is Burachki-Terekhovo, indicated by the number 1. It is located on the European route E22. On the Russian side, it is connected to the M9 Baltic highway, passing through Moscow, Volokolamsk, Rzhev, Velikiye Luki and Novosokolniki. After the checkpoint, the road turns into the Latvian highway A12, on which Jekabpils, Rezekne and Ludza are located. Usually this point is the busiest of all located on the border of the Russian Federation with the Baltic country.
The Ubylinka-Grebnevo border crossing, designated number 2, is located between the Russian road 58K-306 (Ostrov-Vyshgorodsk-Ubylinka) and the Latvian highway A13, which is part of the European route E262 and follows from the border through Rezekne, Daugavpils and Medumi, located on the border with Lithuania. Please note that the road leading to this checkpoint from the Russian side is a toll road, the cost of travel along it is 300 rubles (paid at the Russian international automobile checkpoint (MACP). It is through the checkpoint that cars traveling from Pskov usually pass.
The Ludonka–Vientuli international checkpoint is marked on the map with the number 3. From the Russian side, access to it is only possible along the road 58K-530, which is a small branch of the route 58K-326. The nearest Russian settlements are Pytalovo and Nosovo. The workload of this point is usually lower than that of Terekhovo, but higher than that of the others. On the Latvian side, a local road departs from this international checkpoint and turns into the regional highway P45. Along it you can get to Vilyaka and Balvi, and also gradually get onto the A2 highway leading to Riga and Jurmala.
Finally, the last of the existing crossings, Brunishevo-Pededze, is marked with the number 4 and is located between the Russian road 58K-339 and the local Latvian road, through which you can get to the A2 highway. This international checkpoint is located closest to St. Petersburg. Please note that both from the Russian Federation and from the Baltic countries, dirt roads approach it.

Residents of the southern and central regions of Russia can also travel to Latvia through Belarus. The easiest way to do this is through the Grigorovshchina checkpoint, the location of which is indicated on the map:

Through this crossing, located near Bigosovo, you can get to the Latvian A6 highway leading to Kraslava, Daugavpils and Riga.

Just keep in mind that sometimes Belarusian customs can be stricter than Russian ones, so it’s worth first studying the rules for crossing the Belarusian border and the procedure for declaring valuables.

For residents of the North-West region, it is also possible to travel through Estonia. If you want to enter Latvia through Belarus and Lithuania, then it is best to use the Privalka point:

Both options for traveling through Belarus allow you to save time if you are traveling with a child under three years of age: according to Belarusian customs regulations, cars with such children pass through checkpoints without a queue.

A lot of useful information about transit travel can be gleaned from the article ““.

Car queue at the border

There is intensive freight traffic between the Russian Federation and the Baltic states, so at many international checkpoints there are often queues, consisting mainly of fuel tankers (carrying fuel to the Baltic countries) and trucks (carrying goods from the EU to the Russian Federation).

Often in queues you can see large numbers of cars of local shuttle residents who make money by reselling Russian goods to the EU and vice versa. Because of this, the average travel time through the crossings ranges between 1 and 12 hours, especially if you move on a first-come, first-served basis.

On New Year's Eve and other holidays at the Burachki and Brunishevo points, the average queue time is more than 5 hours.

The only amenities you can find near the checkpoint are dry toilets, but accommodation and food can be a problem. Therefore, when choosing a point and time of travel, it is worth first studying the current situation at the state border using the official website of the Latvian customs - vid.gov.lv.

When preparing to leave the Baltic country, you can also order a queue summary by sending the word BORDER to number 157. This service costs 21 euro cents, which will be debited from your mobile account.

An online camera will help monitor the state of checkpoints on the Belarusian side.

Unfortunately, unlike the Lithuanian and Estonian state borders, an electronic queue on the Russian-Latvian border has not been created as of 2019 - and this despite the fact that back in 2012 the Latvian Seimas instructed the Ministry of Transport to begin work on its creation, to solve the problem of miles-long lines of trucks.

Fortunately, for ordinary cars with Russian license plates, at all international checkpoints on the Russian side, you can negotiate with the drivers of fuel tankers and drive past them, taking a place in a separate “passenger” line. But the move from the EU will, in any case, have to take place on a general basis. Moreover, trying to buy someone else's seat can result in a fine of 200 euros.

Since 2012, truck drivers have been able to reserve a queue at the Latvian-Russian border at the Terekhovo and Grebnevo international checkpoints. It was organized through the joint efforts of police and customs officers. Unfortunately, it is still organized offline: customs officers are responsible for issuing license plates.

Please take the sociological survey!

In what cases is it possible to travel without a queue?

Truck drivers, in cases provided for by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia “On goods transported out of turn” dated 13.03.2012 No. 170, can cross the border without queuing. These include:

live farm animals (cows, horses, birds, etc.);
fresh, chilled, frozen, smoked meat;
fish (frozen whole or cut);
shellfish and other seafood;
bird eggs;
milk and dairy products;
flowers and other plants, live and cut;
vegetables, fresh and frozen;
fresh and frozen fruits and berries;
ice cream;
frozen prepared food;
human and animal organs for transplantation and other medical purposes;
human and animal blood for transfusions;
medications containing insulin;
drug-coated dressings (for example, adhesive tape);
periodical press (magazines and newspapers), published at least 4 times a week;
tar;
concrete;
weapons and ammunition (subject to transportation with armed guards).

Circuses also skip the line during tours.

In order to take advantage of this opportunity, you need to contact a border service officer and present documents for the cargo you are transporting. As a result, you should receive a ticket for an extraordinary border crossing, which will indicate the current date, time of issue of the document, the license plate of your car and the customs document number.

You will present this coupon to the customs officer along with documents for transport, cargo and other documents necessary for travel.

Basic requirements for transport

The established rules for driving a car into Latvia in 2019 impose the following basic requirements for a car:

good technical condition of transport;
the presence of functioning seat belts on all seats;
lack of anti-radar system;
the windshield tinting level does not exceed 25% (for other windows - no more than 30%);
The car must have a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, a tow rope, a warning triangle and a vest with reflective elements.

If you are traveling with a child, you must have a child car seat in the car.

During the winter, many Russian motorists wonder whether it is possible to drive into Latvia on studded tires. So, unlike most other EU countries, the use of spikes in the Baltic countries is not prohibited. However, the period of their use is limited to the period from November 1 to April 9.

If snow cover persists, the period of permitted use of studs is extended by a separate decision of the Ministry of Transport. Attempts to drive with studded tires while they are prohibited are fraught with:

request to change tires;
a proposal to cut the spikes off the tires;
entry ban.

Contrary to popular belief, entering Latvia with the 82nd region (Crimea) on car license plates in most cases does not cause any difficulties. Entry into the territory of the European Union with such a number is not formally prohibited, and most customs officers do not have any questions about it. Although this position has already been repeatedly expressed by diplomats from the Latvian mission, as well as from many other countries.

After crossing the border, it is worth remembering that low beams must be turned on when traveling between cities. Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas and 90 km/h beyond, and you can safely exceed them by no more than 10 km/h.

Documents required for travel

Having prepared the car for the trip, it is worth finding out what documents are needed to travel to Latvia. The list of personal documents includes:

national or ;
with a validity period expiring no earlier than 3 months after the end of the trip;
with coverage of at least 30 thousand euros;
confirmation of residence;
confirmation of financial support for the entire duration of the planned trip at the rate of 30 € per day of travel.

EORI code – who needs it and why and how to get it

If you are the owner of a company planning to carry out export-import operations with Latvia, you need to obtain an EORI - a single European customs identifier. To do this, you need to register your company in one of the EU countries and send a corresponding application to its customs authorities.

In this document you will need to indicate:

invoice or contract for the supply of goods;
information about the composition and cost of the cargo;
planned delivery method and date;
information about carriers.

Within 3 business days you will receive an EORI code, which will be used in document flow with customs authorities.

Rules and limits for the import and export of goods

Without paying customs duties, every guest of the country has the right to bring with him:

personal items (clothes, gadgets, books, etc.) in quantities that do not raise doubts among customs officers about their purpose;
medications for personal use with prescriptions;
up to 40 cigarettes (or 20 cigarillos, 10 cigars or 50 g of tobacco);
up to one liter of strong (more than 22%) alcohol;
up to 2 liters of wine (any wine, but not stronger than 22 degrees);
up to 16 liters of beer;
up to 10 kg of coffee or tea;
no more than 50 g of perfume or 250 g of cologne/eau de toilette;
up to 10 liters of gasoline or other petroleum products in cans (the volume of the gas tank is not included in the limit);
up to 20 kg of fish or crustaceans;
up to 2 kg of honey and bee products, as well as shellfish, baby food and pet food;
no more than 10 kg of confectionery or pasta, as well as other food products not prohibited for import;
gifts, souvenirs and other goods totaling no more than 300 euros for adults and 200 euros for minors.

There are no special restrictions on the export of any goods from Latvia.

Fans of “Riga Balsam” are often interested in how much alcohol can be exported from Latvia. Here the issue comes down to Russian customs rules, which state that up to 3 liters of alcohol can be imported without paying duty.

In total, you can import no more than 5 liters of alcohol, while for 2 liters in excess of the duty-free limit you will have to pay about 44 €.

The rules for importing goods into Belarus are not so strict: there are only general restrictions on the weight of cargo (up to 50 kg) and its value (up to 1,500 €).

Just in case, immediately before your trip, you should check the current restrictions online on the official customs website.

Prohibited goods

When preparing for your trip, it is worth finding out in advance what you cannot bring into Latvia. The list of goods prohibited for import without special permission includes:

meat and dairy products;
salo;
canned food, pet food, baby food and ready meals containing meat or milk;
parrots;
fruits;
Natural flowers;
weapons and ammunition;
dangerous substances (poisons, radioactive substances, explosives, aggressive chemicals);
narcotic drugs;
cultural, artistic or historical values.

The same list applies when leaving the country.

Procedure for declaring money

Amounts of cash exceeding the equivalent of 10,000 euros are subject to mandatory declaration.

Cash includes banknotes and coins in any currency, as well as traveler's checks, payment orders and bills of exchange (including those signed but not fully completed).

In order to fill out the declaration, just select the red corridor at the checkpoint and fill out the resulting form. You can even download it in advance from the official customs website.

If you plan to continue your trip to Europe, you will not have to fill out a declaration at the borders of other EU countries.

Sanctions for violation of customs regulations

Violation of visa laws in all cases results in an entry ban. At the same time, even if you are not immediately blacklisted, be prepared for more diligent checks than usual when applying for a new permit.

The import of undeclared valuables is fraught with their complete confiscation, as well as the imposition of a fine, which for individuals ranges from 70 to 700 €, depending on the volume of goods. Legal entities will have to pay from 700 to 7,100 €.

For attempting to import undeclared amounts of cash exceeding the maximum allowable, a fine of 5% of the imported amount is imposed.

An attempt to illegally import goods on a particularly large scale may even result in the confiscation of the vehicle. Blatant attempts to smuggle cigarettes and other goods (where large quantities are transported in secret compartments of a car or inside other items) can face much larger fines (up to €20,000) or criminal prosecution. Sometimes this even results in a prison sentence of up to 5 years.

Please note that failure to comply with the legal requirements of border guards and customs officers may also be punishable by a fine or even administrative arrest.

Finally, it should be remembered that the maximum permissible level of alcohol in the blood of a driver, according to EU standards, is 0.5 ppm, and exceeding it is fraught with a fine of 430 to 1,300 € and deprivation of a driving license for up to 2 years.

To prevent your trip from ending on a sad note, do not forget that Russian customs rules differ from EU norms. In particular, it is worth studying the list of sanctioned products prohibited for import and not trying to import them from Latvia.

Common travel routes

Considering the relatively large number of checkpoints and their wide geography, many drivers have a question about where it is better to cross the border with Latvia by car.

When traveling from Moscow, it is best to go towards Volokolamsk. Then you will pass Rzhev and find yourself in Velikiye Luki, from which it is quite easy to get to the M9 highway. The road to the checkpoint in this case will take about 8 hours.

With its beaches, Rundāle Palace near Bauska or the Livonian Order Castle in Ventispils. Such an educational route leaving St. Petersburg will look like this:

If you exclude Bauska from the trip and travel the country in a straight line from east to west through Riga, Jurmala and Ventispils, then the entire trip can take no more than two days. And if you include Daugavpils in your route, you can visit several interesting museums, including the Moonshine Museum.

Architecture lovers will appreciate the Ludza–Madone–Riga trip, because in Ludza you will be greeted by a historical church, and in Madone by the estate of the Marcien barons.

When planning a trip on your own, please note that entering Jurmala by car during the tourist season costs 2 euros.

How much does the trip cost on average?

The main factors influencing the cost of the trip will be:

(35 €);
current expenses in the country (from 40 €/day);
cost of fuel (1 liter in the country costs 1.10 euros).

With an average fuel consumption of 5 l/100 km (which is typical for modern cars), gasoline alone for a trip from Moscow to Riga (920 km) and back will cost 100 euros. If you want to travel from Moscow to Ventispils (1100 km) and back, be prepared to pay more than 120 € for fuel.

If you fill up a full tank in Moscow at prices of about 0.7 €/liter, your trips will cost you significantly less: 65 euros (Moscow–Riga) and 77 euros (Moscow–Ventspils).

Conclusion

The rules for entry into Latvia differ little from the standard ones for most other EU countries. When preparing for a trip, it is worth finding out the situation at the crossing points in advance, checking the availability of all the necessary documents and the compliance of your car with the requirements of Latvian legislation.

Attempts to import undeclared goods are fraught with their complete confiscation and a fine of up to 20,000 €. When returning home, do not forget about Russian customs regulations.

Lithuania-Russia border: Video

The regulations for transporting tobacco and alcohol products to Latvia from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus will not please tourists. The rules for importing these products in 2018 are the same as for other EU countries. Let us consider in detail the details of crossing the border with Latvia.

general information

The 2018 customs rules for smoking tourists may not make them happy. Now, for passengers arriving by land transport to this Baltic state from third countries, baggage allowances have become stricter. You can bring no more than 40 cigarettes into Latvia by car or bus. Violation of customs rules may result in criminal penalties. Due to the large difference in prices between alcohol in the CIS countries and the European Union, there is smuggling and illegal delivery of goods.

Interesting! For example, in Ukraine a pack of cigarettes costs 1 dollar, in Latvia – 4 dollars. In the UK, for example, prices start from 10-12 dollars.

If import standards are exceeded, excise tax and VAT must be paid. When detaining and checking baggage, a person is required to fill out a customs declaration. It is called the SAD - Single Administrative Document, which affects goods whose transport across the borders of EU countries exceeds the established standards. Interestingly, passengers arriving by plane can take two cartons of cigarettes with them. Let's look at the current standards for transporting alcohol and tobacco products across the Latvian border.

Norms and benefits for transporting alcohol and tobacco to Latvia

Cigarettes can be transported to Latvia from border countries that are not members of the European Union only for non-commercial purposes. Individuals at least 18 years of age may transport the following quantities of tobacco products across the border:

Cigarettes – 200 pieces or 2 packs.
Cigarillos – 100 pieces.
Cigars – 50 pieces.
Smoking or snuff tobacco – 250 grams.

For passengers arriving by air, the standards have been increased. If customs officers notice a larger quantity, you will be forced to pay customs tax or the goods will be confiscated. If the transport of tobacco becomes regular, the person may be suspected of smuggling and banned from entering all EU countries. A completely different number of cigarettes is provided for when goods are imported into Latvia from other EU countries. After paying all taxes in the EU zone, the following quantity of tobacco products is allowed to be imported into Latvia:

cigarettes – 800 pieces;
smoking tobacco – 1 kilogram;
cigarillos (light cigars) – 400 pieces;
cigars – 200 pieces.

Since October 23, 2018, the permitted quantity for the transportation of other excisable goods has also decreased significantly. The rules for importing alcohol into Latvia in 2018 for persons over 17 years of age are as follows:

vodka, other drinks with a strength above 22% alcohol - 1 liter;
low-alcohol drinks with a volumetric alcohol concentration not exceeding 22% - 2 liters;
sparkling wines, dessert wines, liqueurs - no more than two liters.

If you want to bring in more alcoholic beverages, you will have to pay tax on the spot. Excise goods purchased in another EU country are exempt from taxes. In this case, you can transport a significantly larger amount of goods across the Latvian border:

beer – more than 100 liters;
wine – 90 liters;
strong alcoholic drinks – 10 liters.

If the above quantities of alcohol and tobacco are not enough for you when visiting the EU countries, you will have to buy them on the spot at European prices.

Fines for illegally transporting goods across the border

Just a couple of years ago, Latvia was one of the first places in the world for cigarette smuggling. In 2016–2017, every fourth cigarette was brought into the country illegally. Counterfeit cigarettes then enter the markets of Germany, Great Britain and other European countries from Russia and Belarus. Cigarettes are transported illegally by planes, trains, cars and even by drones (flying drones). Now the share of smuggling is decreasing, but the problem is still noticeable. The governments of Latvia and the European Union are fighting against smuggling. Fines for illegal transportation of excisable products are imposed on individuals in the amount of 50–250 lats, legal entities in the amount of 500–5000 lats.

The Latvian government is gradually reducing the size of fines, but is going to increase the term of criminal punishment. There are already precedents when people are imprisoned for illegally transporting cigarettes.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the baggage rules before traveling to this Baltic country. You can read more about them at the link https://www.vid.gov.lv/ru/tamozhnya. Ignorance of the laws does not exempt you from punishment!

Latvians actively cross the state border - sea, air, land, going on vacation, on a business trip, on a visit: you never know what a person has to do today... It is clear that first of all we take with us a passport and money - a credit card, cash. But crossing the border has its own requirements: the passport or e-ID must be valid for the expiration date, and the amount of cash must correspond to what is permitted by law.

As reported, more and more people prefer to use credit cards, without burdening themselves with currency exchange and having a large wallet. A thin plastic card provides its owner with almost unlimited freedom of action and security from pickpockets. Here it is only important to take care of the information in advance about what currency is in the country where you are going, how much they prefer paying with bank cards and where the ATMs friendly to your bank are located.

But many people prefer real rather than virtual money, especially when traveling abroad. They can be understood. You never know: you can’t find ATMs in a foreign city, and wandering the streets of a foreign city in search of this device is fraught with adventures, especially in the evenings and in certain neighborhoods. Cash is cash - it's always with you. Moreover, they usually pay for souvenirs and food at stalls and bazaars with tangible money.

Those who plan to use cash need to know the basic rules for transporting cash across the border. The consumer is mainly interested in the amount that can be taken with him without the risk that he will have to pay a fee for the “extra” money or leave it at the airport ATM...

V Main question

For those setting out on a journey, this is: how much money can you carry with you when crossing the border of Latvia?

According to information from the State Revenue Service (VID), residents of a particular country crossing the Latvian border are subject to European regulations governing the amount of money transported. When preparing for your trip, you need to know that:

When crossing the state border of the Republic of Latvia in places where it is also an external border of the European Union, any individual is obliged to declare cash,

- if their amount is equivalent to or exceeds 10,000 euros.

V Attention

* The regulation on declaring cash in the amount of 10,000 euros or more applies to:
— for those who enter the country;
- for those who leave the Republic of Latvia.

* The declaration obligation applies to any individual transporting cash, regardless of whether the person crossing the border is the owner of the money.

(!) Cash does not need to be declared at the state border of the Republic of Latvia with other European Union member countries.

EXAMPLE No. 1. For example, a person took 10,000 euros with him and flies from Egypt to Latvia with a transfer in Austria. In this case, he needs to file a cash declaration in Austria, the transit state where the plane lands. In this case, Austria is the passenger’s first point of crossing the border of the European Union, explains the State Revenue Service.

EXAMPLE No. 2. A passenger travels on business from Belarus to Russia, travels in a passenger car, and has 10,000 euros or more with him. He needs to cross the border of Lithuania and Latvia. A traveler crossing the border is required to submit a cash declaration twice: when entering from Belarus to Lithuania and when leaving Latvia to Russia. In this case, the external border of the European Union is crossed twice...

We declare cash. How to do this correctly?

Cash in the understanding of the law is not only banknotes and coins issued for circulation and being legal tender, but also financial instruments such as checks, bills of exchange, money orders and any financial instruments issued to bearer or in a form giving a transfer of title ownership of this financial instrument to another person.

This also includes blank checks, bills of exchange, payment orders and other financial instruments that give the right to receive money if they are signed without indicating the recipient of the money.

The declared cash is converted into euros according to the foreign exchange rate used in accounting (euro reference rate) and current at the beginning of the day of border crossing...

V Question - answer

Is it necessary to wait until the border and customs control to declare an amount of 10,000 euros or more, or can this be done in advance?

— The cash declaration form can be obtained in advance by visiting the VID home page, where it is available in three languages: Latvian, Russian and English. The forms are also available free of charge at the competent institution at the state border crossing points, reports the State Revenue Service.

At the border crossing point, the traveler (business trip) submits to the customs official a declaration completed in writing in two copies indicating the following information:

— about the declarant (the person declaring cash);
— about the owner of the cash (if the declarant is transporting cash owned by another person);
— about the planned recipient of the cash;
- about the type and amount of cash;
— about the origin of cash;
— about the purpose of using cash;
— about the route (the country from which one is leaving and the country of destination);
— about the type of movement (transport) and the place of border crossing.

(!) Non-declaration or incorrect declaration of a certain amount of cash when crossing the state border of the Republic of Latvia entails liability in accordance with Article 190 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Latvia.

The article provides for a fine of 5% of the undeclared or incorrectly declared amount.

And also, according to Article 195 of the Criminal Law, criminal liability arises if non-declaration or incorrect declaration is committed with cash acquired by criminal means, or committed by an organized group. Then imprisonment for a term of up to three years, or short-term imprisonment, or forced labor, or a fine is possible...

Personal items. What can you take with you when traveling outside the EU?

When entering Latvia from a state that is not a member of the European Union, the items that the traveler carries in his luggage are not subject to customs tax and value added tax. This rule is valid if the total value of things belonging to one person does not exceed the amount:
- 300 euros - when traveling by land;
– 430 euros – when traveling by air or sea;
— 285 euros — for personal belongings of children under 15 years of age, regardless of the method of travel.

But what about a toothbrush, underwear, cosmetics, clothes, sometimes expensive, branded ones, because shoes alone can cost more than the amount specified in the limit? - a law-abiding citizen or non-citizen about to travel will ask. This is what the State Revenue Service explains.

(!) Personal luggage in this case, according to customs rules, is new, unused goods that are intended only for travel or personal use by family members, as well as gifts. If the type and quantity of these goods do not indicate that they are being transported for commercial purposes

The total price does not include

- things that a traveler carries in his luggage in order to later use for some time, or brings things back after temporary use;
— medications that the traveler needs for personal use;
- tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and fuel that the traveler carries in personal luggage - in quantities not exceeding those specified in Article 21 of the Law “On Excise Tax”.

More information on the State Revenue Service website:
www.vid.gov.lv