Moving Internationally to Russia

SDC is not accepting moves to Russia right now. That covers household goods shipments of any size, and it means we aren’t quoting or booking them. You deserve that answer in the first line, not buried under country trivia.

It’s also not a permanent answer. Corridors close and reopen, and this one may do the same. Below: why we’ve stepped back, what a Russia move demands when it is possible, and where we can help you today.

Why We’ve Stepped Back From Russia

The Major Carriers Left, and Direct Routes Remain Limited

Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd all suspended Russia bookings in March 2022. Direct sailings to Russian ports have stayed limited since. Routing around that gap adds handoffs, and every handoff is a place a container can sit. The shipper pays for that sitting time in port storage charges, often before anyone can say when the box will move again.

Sanctions and Banking Restrictions Create a Second Failure Point

U.S. sanctions and export controls limit what can leave the country. Banking restrictions mean the payment steps on the Russian end, such as duties, port charges, and local delivery, often can’t be completed through normal channels. The rules shift often enough that a quote written today might not describe a lawful shipment next quarter. A container that arrives but can’t clear is the worst outcome in this business, and we won’t set a customer up for it.

The Person Matters as Much as the Freight

The State Department rates Russia Level 4: Do Not Travel. Its December 29, 2025 advisory says every U.S. consulate in Russia has suspended operations and calls the risk of wrongful detention of U.S. citizens significant. Household goods are only worth shipping if their owner can safely be there to clear them, so that advisory is part of our decision. Re-check it before you make any plans.

What a Russia Move Requires When It Is Possible

If the corridor reopens, these are the pieces that decide whether a shipment clears or stalls. Rules here have changed repeatedly since 2022, so treat this as a map of the terrain, not current instructions.

The Document Set for a Foreign National Transferring Residence

Customs clearance for a non-Russian citizen has called for copies of the passport and valid visa, a released bill of lading or air waybill, and a detailed inventory or pro-forma invoice. It has also called for a letter from the employer on company letterhead addressed to Russian authorities, a completed customs declaration, proof of migration registration, and a notarized power of attorney. That last item is the one that surprises people: someone in Russia holds it and handles clearance on your behalf. One missing paper can leave a container parked at the port.

Duty Relief Hinges on Permanent Relocation

Russia sits inside the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and the union’s rules govern duty exemptions. Personal goods brought in connection with permanent relocation to an EAEU member state fall under paragraph 6 of Annex 3 to Decision No. 107. Customs does not grant relief case by case: if your move doesn’t fit a listed category, there is no discretionary route to duty-free entry. A short assignment is not a permanent relocation, so don’t assume the exemption covers it.

The Inventory Has to Be Customs-Grade

A list reading “kitchen boxes” won’t do. Electronics need model and serial numbers, and we’d have the whole inventory translated into Russian before it travels, because an inspector who can’t read your list will hold the container until someone can. For how relief and inspections work across destinations, see our customs regulations guide.

Vehicles Never Ship Alone

We ship vehicles only when they’re containerized with household goods. We do not handle vehicle-only shipments, to Russia or anywhere else. Russian import duties and fees on cars have swung enough that any figure we printed here would be stale by the time you read it, so we’ve left them out.

Moving Somewhere Else? We Can Help

As a licensed overseas moving company serving all 50 states, we move households to Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Mexico, the Middle East, and Asia. If Europe is your fallback, start with our Germany move guide, where the customs picture is far more predictable.

Questions About Russia Moves

Can You Ship to a Relative in Russia Instead?

No. The limit is the route, not the reason for the move, so a gift shipment hits the same carrier and payment walls as a full relocation.

Will SDC Take Russia Moves Again?

We won’t guess at a date. We’ll reopen when carriers, payment, and legal clearance all line up well enough that we can promise delivery, and this page will say so the day that happens.

Is There Anything I Can Do Now to Prepare?

Yes. Start a room-by-room inventory with serial numbers, and keep your passport, visa, and employer paperwork current. None of it is wasted if your plans change.

Unsure whether your plans fit what we can do? Call (877) 339-0267 and we’ll tell you straight.