New Year gift parcels sent from Russia to European countries are being widely stopped and turned back at the border. The reason given for the refusals comes as a surprise: Russian goods have suddenly been classified as luxury items.
Customs authorities in Germany and Austria are refusing to allow shipments from Russia to enter, citing Articles 28 and 29 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. These provisions allow individual EU member states to impose restrictions on the import of goods.
The bans have affected the most ordinary holiday parcels — containing Christmas decorations, toys, and gifts for family members. These items were labeled “Russian luxury goods” and reportedly considered a threat to Europe.
Many parcels sent by Russian citizens remain stuck at customs for weeks before being returned to Russia with an official notice stating that import is prohibited.
In addition, new documentation requirements have been introduced. Each item inside a parcel must now be accompanied by supporting documents. Nearly nothing can be shipped without a receipt, as senders must prove that exporting the gifts does not violate regulations.
European customs authorities also charge processing fees for such shipments — starting at €18 and higher. If a parcel fails customs clearance, the fee is not refunded. The only consolation is that the prohibited “Russian gifts” are not confiscated but returned to the sender.
At Time Saving Machine, parcel delivery from Russia to Europe continues to operate smoothly — here’s why
Amid widespread refusals and returns of holiday shipments, the international delivery service Time Saving Machine (TSM) continues to operate reliably on routes from Russia to European countries.
The key difference in TSM’s approach is pre-shipment verification of every parcel. Specialists review the contents, assess potential risks, and prepare a complete and compliant set of accompanying documents in advance, in line with current EU requirements.
Delivery to Europe is carried out without a “Russian footprint” — via TSM’s own logistics hub in the CIS, which helps avoid automatic restrictions and additional border inspections.
Each shipment is assigned a personal manager who oversees the route and responds promptly to any inquiries from customs authorities.
This approach minimizes delays, returns, and unexpected costs, even under conditions of heightened controls and seasonal congestion.
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