I am planning to take along a few gifts to Russia. Some simple things like throws from USA with local embroidery. One for mum and sister. Tea sifter etc. About ten DVDs for others. Some trinkets of costume jewelry and lighted pens for 10 yr old girl etc. Plus some not so cheap gifts. i.e. jewelry
QUESTION IS THIS: It is not enough to have to declare, but will the folks at customs question everything because it is already gift wrapped? Will these people want to "see inside" gift wrapped packages????
Surely I plan to go to no declarations line if I can figure it out. I just wonder that if I go through the trouble to wrap and package all of this if it is a waste of time.
Thanks
I might suggest taking the wrapping paper, scotch tape etc. with you and wrapping them once you are there.
Jewellery can be concealed inside your packed clothing pockets, if you are taking a laptop then, surely, any DVD's are for personal use to watch on your laptop (just try to not make the DVD's look they are straight from the shop), smaller items can be concealed in packed clothing pockets or laptop case, just use your imagination!
Hey Ralph on the DVD's to you have the correct region for their players, might be something to check on first or they may not play.
I wouldn't declare anything make them earn their keep. Chances are they won't even have you open up the luggage.
The elena's comment wasn't about you in the other thread, it was about our favorite meathead here.
last time I took DVDs they were able to be played on home unit. These are not for her but I think they will work. thanks -- I plan to just pass through with the crowd. However more expensive 'small' items will be carried.
A propos of DVDs -- most movies in Russia come from "magical sources" (hint: you can buy just about any movie -- including some that have barely started showing in theaters! -- for a buck or two), and may have various region codes.
It is very easy to buy all-region players, that will convert video standards etc. So I think that many households can play North American NTSC DVDs without difficulty. If compatibility is a concern, you can buy an excellent (and very small) all-region all-format DVD player for $30 in the US, and make a gift of that also.
Most DVD players are locked but you can google the model and brand and find the code to unlock it. Its normally a sequence of buttons you need to press on the remote or player itself. I don't bother buying DVD's to take there as as Durak says you can buy them cheap and they are normally translated in to Russian. And they have it on DVD before we do.
This is a serious answer. No doubt, because I posted it, it will be judged as stupid. Please ignore if you don't see this post helpful. Three separate times, my DVDs and CDs were stolen from my luggage and mail. Be careful.