Moving to Russia from the USA: Current Status

Shipping household goods from the U.S. to Russia is more complicated right now than it was a few years ago. As a licensed household goods shipping company, we want to be upfront about that rather than walk you through a process that may not reflect current reality.

Current Shipping Conditions

Sanctions, carrier routing changes, and banking restrictions tied to the ongoing war have significantly affected how goods move between the U.S. and Russia. Direct routes are limited, standard payment methods often don’t work once goods reach Russia, and the rules around what can be shipped, what gets taxed, and how it clears customs are changing more often than a typical corridor. Because of that, we’re not publishing specific duty rates, VAT figures, or a standard timeline here, since anything we posted could be outdated by the time you read it.

If you’re planning a move to Russia, call us directly at 877-339-0267 so we can walk you through what’s currently possible, what routing and documentation look like right now, and whether your specific situation is something we can support.

What We Can Tell You in General

Household goods moves to Russia, when they’re able to proceed, still follow the general shape of any international shipment: a detailed inventory of what’s being shipped, professional export packing for anything fragile or high-value, and a choice between a shared consolidated container (LCL) for smaller shipments or a dedicated full container (FCL) for larger ones. Our export packing services apply regardless of destination, using materials built to survive a longer, more complicated transit.

Vehicle shipping to Russia carries its own complications on top of the household goods process, including import duties, VAT, and documentation requirements that are especially prone to change right now. We’d rather talk through your specific vehicle and timeline directly than post numbers that may no longer be accurate.

What Stays Consistent

A few things about the shipping process don’t change even as routing and specific costs do. Russia is part of the Eurasian Economic Union, which sets the broader customs framework it operates under, and any household goods shipment will need a complete inventory, your passport information, and standard proof of where you’re relocating from and to, regardless of current conditions. If you’re bringing pets, they’ll need the vaccination and documentation standards that apply to most international moves, though the specific quarantine and import requirements for Russia are worth confirming with us directly given how frequently they can shift right now.

What we can’t responsibly commit to in writing is a specific route, transit time, or cost, since those are the exact pieces most affected by current conditions and change on a timeline that a static webpage can’t keep up with.

Why Insurance Matters More on This Route

With routing more complicated and less predictable than a typical corridor, protecting your shipment’s value matters more here than it would on a straightforward move. International moving insurance is worth discussing as part of your planning call rather than treating it as an afterthought, given the added handling and transit time that indirect routing can involve.

We’d also encourage building in more lead time than you might for a typical international move. Between confirming current routing, gathering documentation, and accounting for delays that are more common right now, starting the conversation early gives us more room to find a workable path for your specific shipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SDC currently shipping household goods to Russia?

Shipping is limited and conditions are changing, so the honest answer depends on your specific situation, timeline, and what you need to ship. Call us and we’ll tell you plainly what’s possible right now.

Why doesn’t this page list specific costs or duty rates?

Because they’re changing frequently right now, and posting a number that’s gone stale by the time you read it would do more harm than good. We’d rather give you accurate, current information over the phone than an outdated figure on a webpage.

Can I still ship a car to Russia?

It depends on current conditions and your specific vehicle. This is one of the areas most affected by ongoing restrictions, so we’d rather discuss your situation directly than post general guidance that may not apply.

How far in advance should I start planning?

Earlier than usual. Confirming current routing, gathering documentation, and building in room for delays all take more time right now than they would on a typical international move, so starting the conversation as early as possible gives us the best chance of finding a workable plan.

Call 877-339-0267 for the latest status on shipping to Russia and whether we can support your specific move.