Viewing topic: Moscow Airport

Any advice for getting through the Moscow airport? Customs, SVO 1 --> 2, finding baggage etc...?

Never had any problems there - everything is reasonably self-explanatory.

Just don't be scared at the general grimness of the place

There are different lines for Russians and non-Russians at passport control. Easy enough to go through customs if you don't have contraband. You only have to declare currency or valuables if the value is really huge - can't remember the exact figures but it's 10k or 30k USD or something like that.

In the unlikely event that they try to persuade you that you have to pay for something, just resist

Have you been through a Russian passport control/customs before?

Never been through before. I can speak/understand basic Russian. You think I should attempt this or only speak English?

Hmmm... wish someone else would say something on this topic But I reckon you'll be fine. Best to speak English as you go through if your Russian is only basic.

If you don't speak Russian to them, they'll assume almost automatically that you don't understand Russian either - at least that way if they do decide to take the mickey, you'll understand them when they're talking among themselves.

However, so many foreigners pass through airports every day, they just don't have the time to give everyone the run-around.

I actually can't remember ever having trouble at customs, anywhere. When I was first arriving I remember I took the advice of the British Airways cabin crew and tried to declare everything I had that was worth more than a few bucks. This included an antiquated laptop and about 60 USD in cash. They just laughed and said I couldn't declare anything of so little value

Yeah - I've never really had any problems coming through Moscow either. As already said by Bobs12 - there is usually no need to do a customs declaration unless you are coming loaded with currencyor teh family jewels..... I stand to be corrected but I think that the absolute maximum is $10,000 or equivalent for currency and you must do a declaration if you have over $3,000 in dollars or equivalent. If you exceed the max or don't declare the cash can, theoretically, be taken from you!

In the declaration questions there is also one about carrying any 'high-frequency coomunications device' or some-such nonsense. I always used to faithfully declare my mobile phone (but I had a car so I had to do the form anyway). I don't think most people bother with this....

Good advice about not revealing your limited latent talents in Russian and I also agree, they are usually to busy - In Moscow on all occasions - I have just walked through the green channel and have never been stopped....

One important thing though...make sure you get your migration card stamped or you may have trouble with registration alter. That said, the migration card system is otherwise not very carefully implemented at some border crossings and I have a collection of exit sections that were never taken from me.