customs question

[Sveta & Ron 23]

my question is

1. since sveta is from ukraine does that change the limits can bring into ukraine thru customs?

2. the customs list on this site is it limit per person or group/family ( http://www.customs.gov.ua/dmsu/control/en/publish/article;jsessionid=F5086072BEE25A096ACA3010E4FF380C?art_id=1093966&cat_id=1093808 )

reason is we would like bring more then is listed as far as wine and such for wedding party and as gifts

also would the store bought mix package that has no alcohol be looked at as an alcohol drink?

[mobob 0]

No. Limits are limits, rules are rules. However... As has been my and others' experiences, if you/she keep your wits about you, focus on the distance and walk through the green line (nothing to declare) like you own the place, you'll have no problems. I've been through Donetsk five times and Kyiv twice and only got 'checked' once, in Kyiv, where they ran my stuff through the x-ray machine. Since I didn't speak Russian, they passed me on. Last trip through the new terminal in Donetsk (Nov 12) they didn't even x-ray my stuff. Hit customs, picked up my bags from the carousel and walked out the green line door. No stops or anything. Incidentally, I usually have about two dozen bottles of various contents, double bubble wrapped and packed in my bags. Nary a problem and so far no breakage or pilferage. TSA seems to always check everything going out, though. Could be how it all looks on their x-ray machine. Another thought - if you're taking a bunch of stuff there, be very mindful of the baggage weight allowance - 23kg or 50lbs. A pound over will cost you $200, per bag. An extra bag only costs $70 to check for international travel and you get another 50lbs.

When I headed back it was about the same - brought almost 30 bottles of 'various' contents. I declared everything. Fortunately, since the exchange rate is what it is, everything was super inexpensive, therefore it was easy to stay under the $800 duty free ceiling. Since we came back with five suitcases it was easy to distribute the weight among the bags so nothing was overweight.

Edited February 28, 2013 by mobob

[Sveta & Ron 23]

my question is if not clear the limits for ukraine customs are per person? and look at sveta and I as 2 people and not combine our things?

also last 3 trips customs has opened one bag as i had much food then allow pass then again I bring hard case luggage and as rule I bring 2-3 large bags so i am sure customs will check me is why i am asking about rules if per person or what

Edited February 28, 2013 by Sveta & Ron

[Tanya and Barry 59]

You got to own that Green Line :-) Just say No and walk straight ahead :-) Never been stopped in Kiev or Odessa....

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

my question is

1. since sveta is from ukraine does that change the limits can bring into ukraine thru customs?

2. the customs list on this site is it limit per person or group/family ( http://www.customs.gov.ua/dmsu/control/en/publish/article;jsessionid=F5086072BEE25A096ACA3010E4FF380C?art_id=1093966&cat_id=1093808 )

reason is we would like bring more then is listed as far as wine and such for wedding party and as gifts

also would the store bought mix package that has no alcohol be looked at as an alcohol drink?

1. No

2. Per person

Non alcoholic mixes are not alcoholic drinks

Nearly all forms of alcohol are cheaper in Ukraine. Unless there is something in particular you really want and they do not have it there, you will be better off to buy it there. One does not typically bring alcohol or tobacco products to Ukraine. Much cheaper to buy them there.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

You got to own that Green Line :-) Just say No and walk straight ahead :-) Never been stopped in Kiev or Odessa....

My post aside, what is said about the green line is true. Go in, show your passport, keep your mouth SHUT, shrug your shoulders at anything they say, pick up your bags and walk directly OUT. I have never been checked in Odessa, Kiev or Donetsk or even asked a question.

We never bring alcohol IN. It is like bringing sand to the beach. Bring IN clothes, electronics, maple syrup, chocolate (good chocolate) and take OUT alcohol, tobacco, pharmacy products and contact lenses.

I have never bothered to check the import limitations and do not care. Just go and walk in like you have a big #######.

[Sveta & Ron 23]

per sveta ukraine does not have the alcohol we need for the type of drinks we want serve also friends ask bring thing like jim beam, and jack black they say is more alcohol then in ukraine not so watered down

[Wokka 0]

I'm not so sure about that. In my experience, Ukraine has all the alcohol you would find in the US.

I bought Captain Morgan's and Corona there...

Yes, Corona. With a cyrillic label.

She may only be looking at small "Magazine" stores. Large grocery chains like "Metro" (Ukrainian Costco) seem to carry EVERYTHING.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

per sveta ukraine does not have the alcohol we need for the type of drinks we want serve also friends ask bring thing like jim beam, and jack black they say is more alcohol then in ukraine not so watered down

OK whatever. Import limits are per person (per adult for alcohol) and there is no difference for her being Ukrainian.

[Hollyday 122]

As has been my and others' experiences, if you/she keep your wits about you, focus on the distance and walk through the green line (nothing to declare) like you own the place, you'll have no problems.

So true. I went to Kiev every week for a year and i've had my bag x-rayed maybe once or twice. You just walk out with a pokerface and that's it.

[Alfia & John 10]

I can not speak for Ukraine but in Moscow, I have been through green line pushing one card full of baggage and pulling another. Well over $40K in camera gear and tons of personal stuff (knives, bear spray, clothes, tons of books, etc); never a problem.

[vbtwo 54]

Ignore the rules. Take whatever you want. Go through the green line. Look like you mean business and don't have time for this #######. They will probably let you through without problems. If they catch you, you should be able to just slip them some cash and then problem magically goes away.

I came in last time in Dnipropetrovsk with more stuff than is allowed (had 2 suitcases full of #######, at least 4 bottles of wine, a few bottles of liqueur, etc). There they make everyone put their luggage through X-Ray so you can't just get lucky that they won't scan you. When they scanned my suitcases the guy took a step forward and looked like he was about to say something. I gave him a look like "what do you want?" and he just waved me through.

[Sveta & Ron 23]

sveta and I talked that we mark one case with her name as in passport and 2 my name so they see 2 travelers

[Hollyday 122]

sveta and I talked that we mark one case with her name as in passport and 2 my name so they see 2 travelers

You're both travelling right? Then when you check in and drop off luggage, just mark them as one for you and one for Sveta, yes. So the luggage stickers are correctly marked.