Despite the recommendation not to travel to Russia, the number of people crossing the border may increase during the upcoming school break and holidays. The Estonian Tax and Customs Board (ETCB) would like to remind travellers that since August this year, full customs control is being carried out at the border between Estonia and Russia, which extends the time required for crossing the border. The ETCB asks those who want to cross the border to take this into account when planning their trip and to be patient.
Border crossing points and working hours
- Narva border crossing point, which is open only to pedestrians, is open every day from 7:00 to 23:00.
- Koidula and Luhamaa border crossing points are open 24 hours a day and can be crossed by vehicles.
The longest queues are currently at the Narva border crossing point, which is used by an average of 1 000-1 500 people per day. There are currently no queues at the Koidula and Luhamaa border crossing points. Both crossing points are used by an average of 300 people per day, but it must be taken into account that these numbers will increase ahead of the upcoming school break and holidays. Vehicles can cross the border at the Luhamaa and Koidula border crossing points. On average 40-50 vehicles cross the Estonian-Russian border there per day. Drivers can use GoSwift to book their place in the queue online.
Full customs controls and border queues
Pursuant to the decision of the Government of the Republic, the ETCB carries out full customs control at the Estonian-Russian border crossing points so that customs officials can make sure that goods subject to sanctions, i.e. prohibited goods, do not reach Russia.
For travellers crossing the border on foot, full customs control means that every person and the luggage they carry is checked. If travellers want to cross the border by car, an inspection of the means of transport and the goods in it follows as well. Passengers travelling by regular buses are also asked to step out of the bus with their luggage and undergo pedestrian customs checks. The indicative waiting time at border crossing points depends on the specific situation, but it is worth following these recommendations for a smooth border crossing experience:
- Make sure you are not carrying items that you are not allowed to take to Russia. Further information on the prohibitions and restrictions in force can be found on the website of the ETCB or by calling the Customs Information +372 880 0814 (Mon-Thu from 9:00 to 16:30, Fri from 9:00 to 15:30; NB: 23.Dec from 9:00 to 13:30; customer support is closed from 24 to 26 Dec).
- Please do not wrap your gifts in wrapping paper! Customs officials must be able to see the items carried across the border in order to make sure that the persons crossing the border do not take across anything that is subject to sanctions or other restrictions. People are asked to remove the wrapping paper at border crossing points.
- Travel light. The less luggage and things, the faster customs checks go.
- Try to time your border crossing to a less popular time and place. The longest queues are currently at the Narva border crossing point, especially in the mornings.
- Dress according to the weather. Take into account the possibility that you have to queue outside.
- Set aside more time and be patient
Since the implementation of full customs control in August this year, customs has detected nearly 1 300 violations at Narva border crossing point, nearly 350 violations at Koidula border crossing point and nearly 400 violations at Luhamaa border crossing point (as at 16 Dec 2024). Most attempt to take euro banknotes across the border. It is forbidden to take the banknotes of EU Member States to Russia, and although the European Commission has pointed out certain possibilities for exceptions without specifying any thresholds in terms of amounts, the euro is not an official means of payment in Russia and the implementation of exceptions has not been justified in almost any cases identified at the Estonian-Russian border crossing points. Therefore, we ask those who cross the border to focus on the current prohibition, not the exceptions. In addition, there have been attempts to move electronics, luxury goods, spare car parts, etc. across the border. At the border crossing points of Luhamaa and Koidula, we notice that business customers make mistakes with commodity codes entered in customs declarations. We would like to remind everyone that violation of sanctions is a criminal offence. The Estonian Internal Security Service conducts criminal proceedings and the prosecutor’s office directs the proceedings. Crossing the border during the holidays goes smoothly if you follow the recommendations and come to the border crossing point well prepared.
12550
info@bussijaam.ee
Mon–Fri 08:00–19:00
