Since July 1, 2010 Russia has been a member of the EAEU Customs Union. The first joint agreement was signed with Kazakhstan, five days later Belarus joined the union, and later - Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. For 2021, the most simplified border crossing regime operates between these countries, and labor migrants in employment rights are equated to full-fledged citizens.
Where is the border between Russia and Belarus
The length of the border between the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation is 1239 kilometers. Historically, the division arose in 1920 when the Russian Empire was divided into socialist republics. The country's territory was finally formed in 1929 with the latest adjustments by region.
Modern frontiers completely repeat the Soviet division into republics: this was officially documented in September 1990 on the basis of a bilateral agreement between the countries. From the Russian side, the border crosses the Bryansk, Pskov and Smolensk regions. Belarus has Vitebsk, Mogilev and Gomel.
Both sides return to the issue of protecting the state border every few years on a cyclical basis. In 1994, under an intergovernmental agreement, the creation of 25 checkpoints was negotiated, but this agreement was canceled by the 1995 Customs Union, according to which border control was completely abolished. The next step was the creation of the Union State in 1999, and the extended version of the CU in 2010 again confirmed the abolition of border controls.
Due to problems with the uniformity of the migration legislation of Russia and Belarus, in 2010, the free border was increasingly used for illegal purposes, for example, to leave the country under an injunction. Since 2013, Russian border guards have begun to carry out spot checks on highways leading from the territory of Belarus.
In 2014, due to Russian sanctions on the import of products from the EU, the countries, by mutual agreement, established a border zone to filter out contraband. At the end of 2016, the border crossing regime for residents of third countries was again tightened, and in February 2017, checkpoints and warning signs were installed.
Entry rules to Belarus
To visit Belarus for tourism purposes or to visit relatives, a Russian citizen does not need anything other than a civil passport. In this case, the duration of the visit is limited to three months; for longer trips, permission is required from the embassy. Stay in the country without registration is allowed for one month.
Citizens of the Russian Federation on the territory of the Republic of Belarus have the following rights:
- For transit passage;
- Free movement around the country;
- Stay or residence for an unlimited period (subject to registration with the migration service);
- Obtaining a residence permit without a period of residence, upon application.
A citizen of Belarus will receive the same rights upon arrival in Russia.
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When entering the country by car, he will be examined at one of the checkpoints, then a special coupon will be issued. Further in the corridor at the entrance, the car owner will undergo passport and customs checks: it takes about 15 minutes. If there are children under 3 years old or disabled in the cabin, the control will be passed without a queue. Passed checkpoints are considered formal, do not require marks in the passport or filling out additional forms.
Important! Although Russian rubles are actively used at the border, only Belarusian currency is allowed to circulate in the country itself. You should use the services of exchangers in advance or exchange money at a slightly worse rate at the entrance.
It is also quite easy to get to Minsk through the Belorussky railway station in Moscow - the road to the border will take 6 hours, to the capital - 8. Standard customs rules apply for the guests of the country, there is no inspection of personal belongings when crossing the border.
Points of entry to Belarus for Russians
The Belarusians have fifty border points, about a quarter of them are in Russia. You can get into the country through any checkpoint convenient for a Russian.
The image shows the checkpoints that can be used for entry.
Important! Travel for foreigners at the border between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus is simply not provided, so residents of other countries will have to travel through neighboring Latvia.
The busiest route is the checkpoint between the villages of Rad'ki and Krasnaya Gorka, located on the Brest-Moscow highway. Almost direct route from the capital, plus the proximity of Smolensk. If for some reason Krasnaya Gorka does not suit you, then you can enter the country through a detour in the village of Lyady.
Russia-Belarus border crossing rules
For crossing the border and staying in the country for less than 90 days without work, the guest will not need any documents, except for a Russian passport.
In addition to the passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, the following documents can verify identity:
- A valid foreign passport;
- Diplomatic passport;
- Seaman's certificate with crew list.
For children under 14, a passport will replace a birth certificate. If the accompanying person is not a parent, in order to avoid problems, it is worthwhile to draw up a standard notarized power of attorney in advance.
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A visa and a migration card, like any additional documents, are not needed for Russians.
Rules for entry by car
When entering the country by car, you will need:
- Passport, civil or foreign;
- Driving licence;
- Car registration certificate;
- Insurance.
Belarusian car insurance is called a Green Card. It is issued in any insurance company, for the forgetful - insurance agents often work at the very border, albeit with a noticeable margin. The policy is bought for a period of two weeks to a year. Price fluctuates from 400 rubles to 25 thousand depending on the period and type of machine.
Entry rules by train
Buying a train ticket is beneficial with its discounts for children:
- One child under five years old can travel for free;
- From 5 to 10 years old, the ticket price will be one third of the total amount.
From documents for adults you will need passports and tickets, for children - tickets with a birth certificate.
Most likely, documents will not be needed - inspections are rarely carried out, border control officers stop the train only in extreme cases. Declaration of carried baggage is also carried out in a simplified, oral form.
Airplane entry rules
Flights are operated without border control. Those crossing the border are not stamped in their passports, searches are carried out selectively upon presentation of an identity card and boarding pass. As in other cases, flights are essentially domestic flights, with no additional requirements for passengers.
Customs regulations
Despite the formal nature of the border, customs control still exists, and border guards are quite strict about trying to smuggle in. In the case of transporting significant volumes of goods, you will have to fill out a customs declaration, prohibited objects will be seized.
Inspection is carried out selectively, any attempt at smuggling will be unrolled by customs officers to the very end. An attempt to bribe in most cases will only make matters worse.
What things can be imported in limited quantities
Duty free travel is allowed for:
- Cigarettes and other tobacco products (200 cigarettes or 250 grams);
- Alcohol (up to 3 liters for each adult);
- Wristwatch (1 piece per person);
- Decorations (5 pcs.);
- Shin (4 pcs. Per person);
- Valuable personal belongings (by car - up to 50 kilograms and 1500 euros, by plane - up to 10 thousand euros);
- Video recording equipment;
- Pets for the purpose of tourism or hunting.
When transporting any goods in excess of the limit, you must pay an entry fee.
What is forbidden to import into Belarus
The Migration Service prohibits the entry into the country:
- Information that may harm the security of the country or its citizens;
- Explosives, poisonous and radioactive substances;
- Weapons without permission;
- Pets without documents;
- More than 5 liters of alcohol.
In addition, there are restrictions for household appliances and electrical goods (it is allowed to import once every three years). Once every two years, you can bring tires - 4 for a car, 2 for a motorcycle.
What is forbidden to import into Russia
Prohibited transit:
- Samples of flora and fauna from the Red Book of Belarus, medicinal plants;
- Removal of historical and cultural values;
- Removal of precious, non-ferrous, ferrous metal scrap.
Russia and Belarus cannot make the remaining few steps in order to become one state again. This can be seen in everything: from a virtually nonexistent border to a single language. Traveling to this country will be a little more difficult than traveling to the neighboring area.
