Selling in Russia

[comoregion]

I plan to sell electronics in Russia.

let’s say I leave the US with six iPhones, two iPads, two Xbox ones and two PS4s.

Will I have to pay anything when leaving the US?
Will I have to pay anything once I land in Russia?

Are there any laws that pertain to this situation?

thanks.

 

[Stable Genius]

I've traveled internationally for business and here is my advice. I traveled to international offices of company I worked for and sometimes had to bring company issued new iPhones to international offices. We had a policy of not carrying more than 2 new devices in addition to existing corporate / personal device I had. Same would apply to carrying multiple laptops internationally (I did carry my own + 3 other laptop on domestic once). From others at work I've heard that they traveled to China for a convention (from another Asian country that doesnt need visa) and were stopped at customs and questioned to why they had so many laptops. It was a group of few IT guys together and after questioning several laptops were confiscated and never returned.

Russia is a very corrupt country and bribes are still a part of every day life. When you arrive there if you have all these electronics as you pass customs you will draw attention. You will be questioned, forced to pay custom duties, pay fine ("bribe") or worse. I'd find better ideas than flying with thousands of electronics into Russia. They do have Apple stores in Russia and places to buy others.

Btw you do know that coming back into US with more than $10,000 cash you need to declare it. I dont know if you will trigger any kind of note on your TSA / airline profile that you're traveling outside of US with lots of electronics and they might pay special attention to you on your return.

 

[AngelSeo]

You will have to pay custom taxes and VAT, which will raise your prices by 30% at least, while you have to sell them under the prices of regular shops. Not worth it at all.

 

[Humanoff]

This cost more 10k euro, so you must pay taxes.
Russia allowing bring with your devices for a price lower than 10k euro and only for "personal usage".

 

[comoregion]

I've traveled internationally for business and here is my advice. I traveled to international offices of company I worked for and sometimes had to bring company issued new iPhones to international offices. We had a policy of not carrying more than 2 new devices in addition to existing corporate / personal device I had. Same would apply to carrying multiple laptops internationally (I did carry my own + 3 other laptop on domestic once). From others at work I've heard that they traveled to China for a convention (from another Asian country that doesnt need visa) and were stopped at customs and questioned to why they had so many laptops. It was a group of few IT guys together and after questioning several laptops were confiscated and never returned.

Russia is a very corrupt country and bribes are still a part of every day life. When you arrive there if you have all these electronics as you pass customs you will draw attention. You will be questioned, forced to pay custom duties, pay fine ("bribe") or worse. I'd find better ideas than flying with thousands of electronics into Russia. They do have Apple stores in Russia and places to buy others.

Btw you do know that coming back into US with more than $10,000 cash you need to declare it. I dont know if you will trigger any kind of note on your TSA / airline profile that you're traveling outside of US with lots of electronics and they might pay special attention to you on your return.

I see.

But there’s a great amount of money in it because there are no Apple stores in Russia. There is an authorized retailer which sells new ones for $2,000.

 

[Rustle]

I'm from Russia. When importing goods personally by air (plane), the limit is not more than 10,000 euros and weighing no more than 50 kg. Personally, by land transport (train, car) or on foot-the limit is not more than 500 euros and weighing no more than 25 kg. Goods by mail from an online store for no more than 200 euros or 31 kg per parcel. The customs rate in 2019 was 30%. Now (from January 1, 2020) the legislation has changed and the rate is 15% over the limits. (For an additional kilogram over the limit of 2 euros).

But bro, it's not the best idea to make money. We do not have an Apple representative office in Russia, but everything is sold officially. There is no shortage. You may face implementation problems and crime if you plan to sell in person.

You can just come with dollars, exchange them for rubles, buy with this money in Russia what is produced here, but is valued at home, bring it to you from Russia and sell it at home. Then you can get a good raise of money. (The dollar exchange rate in Russia has increased 2 times since 2014. Until 2014, $ 1 = 30 rubles. Now 1 = 60 rubles). It is because of the exchange rate that all imported goods have risen in price by more than 2 times. Think about it and don't rush your idea. Just think well! Good luck!

 

[Muhammad Husnain Habib]

I've traveled internationally for business and here is my advice. I traveled to international offices of company I worked for and sometimes had to bring company issued new iPhones to international offices. We had a policy of not carrying more than 2 new devices in addition to existing corporate / personal device I had. Same would apply to carrying multiple laptops internationally (I did carry my own + 3 other laptop on domestic once). From others at work I've heard that they traveled to China for a convention (from another Asian country that doesnt need visa) and were stopped at customs and questioned to why they had so many laptops. It was a group of few IT guys together and after questioning several laptops were confiscated and never returned.

Russia is a very corrupt country and bribes are still a part of every day life. When you arrive there if you have all these electronics as you pass customs you will draw attention. You will be questioned, forced to pay custom duties, pay fine ("bribe") or worse. I'd find better ideas than flying with thousands of electronics into Russia. They do have Apple stores in Russia and places to buy others.

Btw you do know that coming back into US with more than $10,000 cash you need to declare it. I dont know if you will trigger any kind of note on your TSA / airline profile that you're traveling outside of US with lots of electronics and they might pay special attention to you on your return.

Thanks for this