I've heard of the stories about guys being taken into the back room and made to count all their money in front of the agents. After counting the agent usually pinches it a bit and gives your money back. Myself I have made 7 trips to the Ukraine and Russia and have yet to be taken to the back room. Does anyone know what the limit is on how much cash you can bring into the Ukraine or Russia? Do you guys always declare the real amount you are carrying or do you lie about the wad in your sock? Do they strip you down to check for all your cash? My next trip will be a long one and will require me to bring a lot of cash to cover it. That is why I am asking.
I have been to Russia 3 times and never had any problems with cash. Always told the truth as I do not want to find out what happens if you get caught. If you are worried get a visa card and put your money in that. I found that my normal bank account did not work but was able to draw from my visa card with ease and the exchange rate I paid was as good as any.
Yep, and if you lose the card or have it stolen, you can call your card company and they will stop the card and by courier send you a new one, you cannot do that if you lose 2K in cash !!!
Yeah, I already have used the ATM card for cash while I was there but I plan on staying in the Ukraine for the summer and will be renting apartments. They owners of couse do not accept credit cards so I will have to bring enough cash to cover the rents. ID when you mentioned drawing from your Visa Card were talking about ATM or did you go to a Russian or Ukrainian bank and make a withdrawal from the card? I heard that this is possible. That would be helpful if its true.
You can also go to most banks there and with your passport as ID, draw cash Deanis.
Taking enough cash to pay rents for a whole summer would be dangerous and unnecessary mate.
If you are going for a long period of time you must have someone you trust back home who could send you some money say, every month via western union for example. It does cost but its better than getting rolled with 5k on you. Just another option.
Deanis, I agree that taking a lot of cash would be dangerous and not convenient. As far as I know the limit of cash you can bring to the Ukraine or Russia undeclared is $1500 and you can bring up to $10 000, however it is better to declare it, otherwise customs official will have a full authority to confiscate money. So the best solution is credit cards and Travelers Checks (which you can cash in almost any bank).
A good idea too ID, but there is also the card Jet suggested Ikkbo I think it was called (cant be arsed to read back and look :o)) ) that is apparently much cheaper the WU and you can have one issued to yourself before you go and stick 5K on that :o))
Ultra, I found cashing travellers cheques in Lugansk a bloody night mare mate !! I would strongly suggest against travellers checques unless you are staying ina very large FSU city with international banks !!
Taking money to Ukraine is not the proplem. If you do not declare it, you can only take out about 200 dollars. Make sure you declare it, or you will have to give it away to leave. Ask me how I know.
Tim you mentioned go to most banks there and withdrawal cash. What account do you withdrawal from? Did you tranfer cash to a Ukrainian Bank before you left? Do you withdrawal from your credit card?
Deanis, I assure you it is very simple – you don’t have to transfer cash to any Ukrainian Bank. You will be able to withdrawal from your credit card (from your bank account) in most of the banks and ATM there.
(I hope you don't mind my answering to you instead of Tim, and hope that Tim does not mind either:))
Either on my cerdit or debit card Deanis, I dont own an "electron" or "switch" card so I dont know if they work, but as far as I know all major CC are accepted ie: Visa, Mastercard, Amex etc.
And I bloody weel hope its not called "Ask Tim" !!! I have a life !! I dont have time to answer every single question !! LOL
Course I dont mind Ultra :o)
Thanks guys! Good tips from all. I'm a season vet when it comes to travel to the Ukraine but have not stayed for such a long period of time as I plan this summer. I will live there for the summer and didn't feel like arriving with $10K in my pants! I leave June 2nd and I'm counting the days already!
Had no problems myself last weekend when I was in Petersburg, asked a bloke on the plane who had a "year visa", businessman type and he said that the document at the airport that you use to declare the money was in Russian, and that he never used it. he was right aswell, it was in Russian only so I thought bugger this and just used the green channel on arrival and departure and it worked fine, but if you get pulled in don't blame me;-)
On thing that was annoying though was the immigration officers, when I got my pass and visa back from the Russian embassy it had an already filled in immigration card but my newly found friend sad that it's best to use the card You get on the plane and filled in. Sometimes they want both of them, and he was right again, saved time and hussle
to have that in my pocket when the first one was not enough. b.t.w Polkovu airlines was better then I expected, always on time, good service on board etc.