Im going to kiev in Oct to meet some ladies. I have about 100usd worth of perfume for gifts and 50usd in other junk gifts and I will be carrying about 1500usd I know I have to go to the red line. I have also been wearing 2 gold chains valued at about 1000usd for 15 years now. Should I leave them home? Will I have to pay tax for the gifts? is there a max limit? I also take alot of vitamins everyday. Will this be a problem bringing them? Should I leave them in their original bottles? Help!
Borispol airport is very easy to get thru, leave your gold chains at home because if customs don't have them then some guy on the street might. Customs limits are in weights, quantities and not USD however you might just put some perfume into the pocket of a pair of trousers in your case and forget all about it, go thru the green channel and answer anythjing with 'net', I've never had a problem yet.
kalibus:
Why will you be carrying 1500usd? ATM cards work perfectly in Kiev.
Without the cash - the perfume and other "junk gifts" wouldn't be a problem. I carry about 5 bottles of supplements myself when I travel - never had a problem, in Kiev or other places. Don't know about the gold chains - but I suspect that if you are wearing them - you are unlikely to have to pay any tax (just a guess).
One correction there. ATM cards work perfectly in Kiev - SO LONG AS YOU NOTIFY YOUR BANK - that you will be going there. Its easy to do. And if you don't its quite likely you could find your card blocked.
Limit on value of gifts I think is $200 and cash $3000 without having to declare anything.
I normally stop at lady in middle of green lane and let her know what I carry, below limits explained above, she will then tell you to go on. There are random searches thou, I guy infront of me was asked to see suitcases. If they find you have not declared properly, fines and who knows what else(bribery??)could follow. Don't mean to make it seem scary, normally quite easy but might as well know everything possible. I'll be going through Kiev also in Oct. If you have a laptop..might be wise to declare it.
My experience is its cheaper to buy Perfume in Ukraine. I usually take half a pharmacy with me. Beats trying to explain your ailments at the local Apteka when they dont understand a word you are saying.
Ive always walked through the green channel with no problem. I always have my computer, cameras, several phones and a big suitcase. Dont take too much cash unless you are paying for an apartment which they usually like in US up front.
Take a visa card and use in ATMs. They give best exchange rate and are convenient, If you are relying on one to pay in a restaurant though always check beforehand as I have often foung the machine not working!
I just got back from Ukraine. customs was not a problem. I would take the cash. the atm's have limits and your bank may only let you take out so much a day and if you pay for your apt. it is usually more than you can withdraw in a day. then you have your interpreter. Not many places take credit cards.
Yesterday I pulled the equivalent of $1000 cask out of an atm in Metrograd shopping centre. Not sure how much more cash you need on a daily basis. I would certainly be somewhat nervous travelling with much more than this.