Customs officers at Russia’s Koltsovo Airport in Yekaterinburg have intercepted 17 kilograms of undeclared luxury goods worth approximately 4 million rubles from a passenger arriving on a flight from Turkey.
According to the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation, the 41-year-old woman was stopped for a random inspection while passing through the airport’s “green channel,” designated for travelers with nothing to declare.
A search of her two suitcases uncovered an assortment of high-end designer items, including jewelry from Messika and Chanel, as well as shoes, handbags, wallets, and eyewear from Gucci, Prada, Chanel, and Balenciaga. Officers also found an Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop Lan Swiss pocket watch. All the items were reportedly brand new and still in their original packaging.
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Russian customs authorities estimated the total value of the seized goods at 4 million rubles.
The passenger told officials that the luxury items were intended for her personal use and as gifts for friends
However, customs authorities said the goods should have been declared due to their value and quantity. An administrative case has now been opened under Part 1 of Article 16.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, which covers the failure to declare goods.
If found liable, the woman could face a fine of up to twice the value of the undeclared goods, in addition to the possible confiscation of all the seized items.
The Federal Customs Service said the investigation is ongoing.
