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Need info on regulations for bringing gifts to Belarus
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Posted by: mistermopar

Hi everyone,
I am looking to find out if there are any new rules or regulations for bringing gifts or certin items into Belarus.ie.alcohal was 3 liters,but now you can only bring 1 liter.I got that from another thread.

Also I read through the threads on gift ideas,didn't really help.
Maybe someone has new ideas for a lady in her late thirties and a girl about 18y.o.
I know things change so maybe things yous listed before are now cheep and excessable there.
Oh,I will be traveling to Mogilev.

Thanks everyone.
Randy

Posted by: Eryk

>>I am looking to find out if there are any new rules or regulations for >>bringing gifts or certin items into Belarus.ie.alcohal was 3 liters,but now >>you can only bring 1 liter.I got that from another thread.

http://www.belarustourist.minsk.by/tips/custom.html

Eryk

Posted by: mistermopar

Thanks Eryk,
It seems very strait forward,but only 200 cigarettes,won't last long!

Quote:

when leaving Belarus with a laptop, CDs, DVDs, diskettes or audio-/video-tapes technically you should present them for inspection up to one week before you travel (in case you have there something threatening the national security of Belarus). This regulation, fortunately, is not strictly enforced.

Should I be concerned about this,I wanted to bring my 35mm camera,a digital camera and a video cam.I see it says it is not strictly enforced,has any one had a problem with this??

Thanks
Randy

Posted by: Eryk

>>It seems very strait forward,but only 200 cigarettes,won't last long!

Full Belarusian retail price for cigarettes is frequently less than the 'duty free' price in other countries. For example, a pack of 'Winston' costs about 85c and Marlboro about $1.10 (both prices in Canadian dollars).

>>Should I be concerned about this,I wanted to bring my 35mm camera,a >>digital camera and a video cam.I see it says it is not strictly enforced,has >>any one had a problem with this??

No, you should not be concerned. Rules like that one exist for harassing evangelical bible bashers and political activists. They are never invoked against legitimate visitors.

Eryk

Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Randy and Eryk,

One of Lena's friends (who flew into Minsk in September, the same day that Lena did), was charge a $50 duty for bringing HER OWN video camera.

I think that this would be less likely to happen to a foreign person arriving in Minsk (as opposed to a Belarusian citizen), but I wanted you to be aware of this.

If I were you, if they ask you any questions about any of the electronic devices, I would claim tha they were yours. I would not bring them in the boxes, and would even hand carry the video camera and still camera.

Also, be aware that the Belarusian Government allows you ONLY 20kg per bag (even if your airlines allowed you 32kg per bag). Also, I believe that, including the weight of your handbag, you are allowed a specifc total weight (which I would check in the Belarus government website).

My family and I had no trouble whatsoever, and our bags were not searched OR weighed. This perhaps was because Lena was waiting right at the gate, and she could help us translate if we had difficulty.

I think that the officials also knew that with a Belarusian national there, that it would be more difficult to pull something in order to receive a bribe.

I like the idea of flying Lufthansa to Minsk, because the head of Lufthansa at the Minsk airport has very deep connections at the airport, and he helped all of my family enter and leave without any problems. (I gave him a $20 gratuity, and he helped me take out 14 bottles of Belarusian beer from Belarus in my baggage

).

Randy, I would buy the ladies some nice perfume and other nice smelling items that ladies would enjoy (like creams, soaps, etc). Those types of things are expensive in Mogilev (if you can find the best brands), and I'm sure that they would appreciate them).

Also.... I was speaking with Lena about your arrival in Mogilev, and Lena has a friend (who picked us up from the airport) who also almost certainly could pick you up also and drive you to Mogilev with his car. He's a very nice guy (you actually can see photos of him in our wedding thread-- his name is "Kola.") He would charge you $50 ($25 of which is for the cost of the gas). This would be the cheapest private transportation available from Minsk to Mogilev. Let us know if you need a ride to Mogilev. Your other option is to hire a private taxi (which would definitely be more than $50), or to take a taxi from the airport to downtown Minsk (which will cost several dollars as well), and then take either a train, large bus, or shared minibus to Mogilev. I Personally think that having private transportation saves time and is more convenient. Also, Elena and her daughter could travel with Kola to the airport to meet you. Let us know if you want us to speak with Kola.

Enjoy getting ready for your trip

You should have a great adventure.

Khashyar

Posted by: mistermopar

Thanks Eryk,I do not really smoke alot,but you never know,that could change.

I can normally go 12 hours easy with out one if I want to,but it is with the morning coffe that I like to have one or with a drink.

Thanks Khashyar,...I have flew Lufthansa to Moscow and back to Canada before,great air line,I posted what I thought about it in the thread for the air lines.But this time I will be flying Austria Air,a little cheeper, they are still with the Star Alliance,so they should be good.

I called Elena today,but she was still at work,so I asked Anna if there were anything I could get them,she mentioned a good English/Russian dictionary for her mom.I like the smelly thing idea,so I will pick up some of those items also.In another thread someone mentioned freezer baggies for storing food,are they expensive there or they are they hard to get?

Khashyar,yes I had seen photos of Kola,and liked him from his photos,he sure looks like he knows how to have fun.Dose he speak English?
I will take you up on the offer,I think it would be much easier, Elena and Anna could travel with him from Mogilev,I would rather give my money to someone like Kola than to just any old taxi driver.
How do you suggest we set this up,let me know.
Thanks Khashyar.

Randy

Posted by: Eryk

>>One of Lena's friends (who flew into Minsk in September, the same day >>that Lena did), was charge a $50 duty for bringing HER OWN video camera.

She should have been carrying a reciept proving it was purchased in Belarus. This is not a 'Belarusian' rule per se, it is universal ...my Father encountered the same thing when flying back to the UK from Hong Kong with camera equipment.

>>I think that this would be less likely to happen to a foreign person arriving >>in Minsk (as opposed to a Belarusian citizen)

It happened purely because she was a Belarusian citizen. It is not just less likely to occur to a foreigner, it is 'impossible' ...that sub-section of the customs rules simply doesn't apply to people holding a foreign passport.

>>If I were you, if they ask you any questions about any of the electronic >>devices, I would claim tha they were yours. I would not bring them in the >>boxes, and would even hand carry the video camera and still camera.

Hand luggage will still go through the X-Ray scanners. It doesn't matter though ...all they will ask is whether it is for personal use and the only word you need to know is 'Da'.

>>Also, be aware that the Belarusian Government allows you ONLY 20kg per >>bag (even if your airlines allowed you 32kg per bag).

Be aware that European airlines only allow you 20kg of hold luggage in 'coach' class anyway. If you are transferring (with luggage) from a US flight then there is no issue, but if you have to check your luggage back in part way then you need to be aware of the limits.

>>Also, I believe that, including the weight of your handbag, you are allowed >>a specifc total weight (which I would check in the Belarus government >>website).

50kgs. They are never going to weigh anything in practice though. The rule exists to stop someone like George Soros (i.e. 'rich') sending someone over to 'import' 200 kilos of political pamphlets via the back door ...or something like that.

>>I think that the officials also knew that with a Belarusian national there, >>that it would be more difficult to pull something in order to receive a bribe.

They aren't going to try for a bribe at Minsk II ...too much supervision. It can happen in the privacy of train compartments late at night ...but not in the main airport.

>>Randy, I would buy the ladies some nice perfume and other nice smelling >>items that ladies would enjoy (like creams, soaps, etc). Those types of >>things are expensive in Mogilev (if you can find the best brands), and I'm >>sure that they would appreciate them).

Possibly not as romantic, but I would go for 'Maple Syrup' or whatever else you have over there that is distinctly 'Canadian'. Any 'global brand' that you can get there will be available here too (though possibly at a slightly higher price) whereas things like Canadian Maple Syrup are simply unobtainable.

>>or to take a taxi from the airport to downtown Minsk (which will cost >>several dollars as well)

Going rate is $30 ...$20 if you 'know someone'. $50 to Mogilev is excellent value.

Eryk

Posted by: Eryk

>>But this time I will be flying Austria Air,a little cheeper, they are still with >>the Star Alliance,so they should be good.

If you are flying 'Austrian' via Vienna then be aware that you will almost certainly be fling on a two engined 'Dash' operated by Lauda Air on the Vienna->Minsk leg and they have smaller overhead lockers than a 737 etc. ...don't push the 'height' dimension of your luggage to the limit or it won't fit.

>>In another thread someone mentioned freezer baggies for storing food,are >>they expensive there or they are they hard to get?

Telling 'Americans' (forgive the generalisation) to bring 'ZipLok' bags is an 'in joke'. You can buy them by the kilo here for a fraction of the price you guys pay ...in fact they are made in Mogilev![1] ...This is local humour at the expense of people who think that 'Russians' still have bread queues and will be impressed by trinkets like some sort of stone age tribe. A better idea would be to take a supply of freezer bags back to Canada with you and save some money

Eryk

[1] Mogilev industry is based around huge rubber/tyre and related plastics/chemical plants.

Posted by: mistermopar

Hey Eryk,thanks for the info,
Yes I will be flying through Vienna to Minsk,I only know that the flight is OPERATED by TYROLEAN AIRWAYS.I am a little worried on the weight of the luggage,my suit case weighs 15 pounds,or 6.8 kg empty,does not seem like I can put much in it to bring.On the rules and regulations site,it says a person can bring up to 50kg/110 pounds,has this changed or is Khashyar correct with the 20 kg.

Quote:

Telling 'Americans' (forgive the generalisation) to bring 'ZipLok' bags is an 'in joke'. You can buy them by the kilo here for a fraction of the price you guys pay ...in fact they are made in Mogilev![

Guess the jokes on me,just glad I asked first before taking a bunch over.

Quote:

Mogilev industry is based around huge rubber/tyre and related plastics/chemical plants.

AHHHH,so if the smoking dosen't get me the rubber/tire and related plastics/chemical plants will....LOL

Oh yes I will be taking Canadian Maple Syrup,I don't leave home without it

Randy

Posted by: Eryk

>>the flight is OPERATED by TYROLEAN AIRWAYS.

Old name for Lauda ...same company, same planes.

>>I am a little worried on the weight of the luggage,my suit case weighs 15 >>pounds,or 6.8 kg empty,does not seem like I can put much in it to bring.

What is it made of? Lead?

. So long as your luggage is booked through from Canada then there is no issue to worry about besides the possibly restriced space in the overhead lockers which applies only to 'hand' luggage.

>>On the rules and regulations site,it says a person can bring up to 50kg/110 >>pounds,has this changed or is Khashyar correct with the 20 kg.

It has not changed. The limit is 50kgs. I think Khayshar was referring to a 'per case' limit which is a health and safety limit applied to stop baggage handlers getting spinal injuries lifting things.

>>Guess the jokes on me,just glad I asked first before taking a bunch over.

Don't take it personally. A lot of people forget that the USSR put both the first satellite in orbit and the first man in space ...they think that they are dealing with some 'third world' country like the Philippines

. If you have it the 'we' have it ...the only variables are 'demand' (like the maple syrup) and 'purchasing power parity' (like Jack Daniels costing about U$30 per litre).

>>AHHHH,so if the smoking dosen't get me the rubber/tire and related >>plastics/chemical plants will....LOL

If you like living dangerously then you can try 'Astra' at about 230 rubles (less than 10 cents) a pack

Eryk

Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Randy,

I am PMing you the email and phone of Kola...

You can ask Elena to give him a call, and either email him yourelf, or have Elena email him.

Please PM me if you have any questions,

Khashyar

Posted by: Khashyar

Randy... I just found out that Kola lives in the SAME apartment building as Elena does

That's pretty convenient.

Khashyar

Posted by: mistermopar

Thanks Khashyar,I just PMed you.
Yes it is very convenient to have both Elena and Kola in the same building.

Randy