The decree applies to trips to Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as to Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. For citizens, a limit of 1 million rubles is set, and for legal entities and individual entrepreneurs, the export of cash is prohibited regardless of the amount.
If the limit is violated, the individual will have the amount above 1 million rubles confiscated, and the legal entity or sole proprietor will have all cash being taken out confiscated. An exception is made for citizens who take money out through international airports designated by the government and can confirm with bank statements that the entire amount was withdrawn from accounts.
Separate exceptions are provided for legal entities engaged in international transportation and for organizations that ensure the operation of Russian diplomatic and consular missions. The decree takes effect from the day it is signed, September 29.
Before that, since April 1, Russians were allowed to take out to EAEU countries no more than $100,000 in ruble equivalent, or about 8.4 million rubles at the current exchange rate. After the start of the war in Ukraine, the export of foreign currency from Russia was limited to $10,000.
In December of last year, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak presented a plan for structural changes in the economy through 2030, which included a point on banning the uncontrolled export of cash rubles of unidentified origin, including to EAEU member states. The government expects these measures to reduce the share of the “shadow economy” by 1.5% of GDP over the next three years and bring an additional 1 trillion rubles in taxes into the budget.
Since June, EAEU countries have begun tightening the conditions for depositing cash rubles: in Belarus, fees of 2–5% were introduced by at least eight banks, Kazakhstan’s BCC — 5%, and Kyrgyz EcoIslamicBank — 5% for certain transactions. Some banks in Armenia have completely stopped working with cash rubles.
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