Transporting Instruments out of Russia

[St&Sv 33]

Hey guys so my Fiancee and I were talking, and at first she was going to leave her guitar and violin behind but she wants to bring them now. The thing is she has told me that in Russia instruments are seen kind of like a national treasure, and so they need a special request to be taken out of the country. Does anyone know about this, or have experience with shipping an instrument out of the country?

[fantonledzepp 159]

Well, I bought a cheap Fender in Ecuador and left it with my then fiancee. When I took the cheap Fender on the plane, they didn't say anything. What I'm trying to say is that a cheap, Chinese-made guitar wouldn't make a big deal in Russia. That is the train of thought that I have. Now, if this guitar and violin were made by a Russian maker, and hand-made, you would then be dealing with what your fiancee said. You would have to research how to remove them from the country.

Find out if the makers are Russian.

Edited June 15, 2013 by fantonledzepp

[hikergirl 277]

Found this site and it gives where she can get her permit: http://expat.ru/s_reloc5.php

Unfortunately the Minister of Culture’s website is mainly in Russian.

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

Yes, it's better to get a permit, because custom officer may suspect that musical instrumеnt or piece of art is something like a national treasure (made by famous luthier or something else). She can get this permit in her local department of Russian "Ministry of Culture" (Министерство Культуры). It's very easy procedure and nothing unique, but may take up to several weeks (depends on how busy they're currently since they hae to make some research for each request), so it's better to start early since this permit doesn't expire any soon. Details (requirements, address, etc.) is better to ask in local department. Like in my city they wanted you to bring printed photos of item, I don't remember what else. Phone and address of her local Ministry of Culture department she can get by calling her local City Hall or just by looking in the internet.

- Victor from Russia

Edited June 15, 2013 by Amy_and_Victor

[St&Sv 33]

Thank you guys, I'll let her know.

[slim 1,530]

I was thinking of Fiduciary Instruments and said, "Boy, it must be nice to have a woman bringing money here!"