Estonian border searches for EU/EEE banknotes.

antoniob

ERR is the Estonian national broadcasting service. On the Russian version of their website they published the other day about a Swedish citizen who had on her diverse currencies: 1800 USD, 4400 RUB and 21.000 SEK. She had to walk back but was fined 280 EUR. The noticeable point is that the article says the money was in her underwear. I guess her chest by breast holder looked weird...
https://rus.err.ee/1610037940/tamozhenniki-v-narve-oshtrafovali-grazhdanku-shvecii-pytavshujusja-pronesti-v-nizhnem-bele-krony
"В ходе таможенного контроля в ее нижнем белье обнаружили 21 000 шведских крон"

earlier this year, 05.03.2026, a German citizen was fined 480 EUR after customs agents found 1820 EUR in the lining of her coat:
https://rus.err.ee/1609962977/grazhdanka-germanii-pytalas-provezti-nalichnye-cherez-granicu-v-narve-no-byla-oshtrafovana
"В ходе таможенного досмотра под подкладкой пальто, которое было на женщине, обнаружили 1820 евро наличными. "

so, in case of carrying cash, be sure to take only USD banknotes. Fresh new ones in order to be accepted at banks.

KO______

antoniob The issue here is not that they had foreign currency on them, it was that it was concealed. If you are hiding something border agents don't like that. This sounds like a media spin. If you are honest and open I highly doubt this would have happened. I was told the exact same story prior to my entry via Poland and at the border, they asked, I told them, and I was on my way.

Cal

I don't know about SEK, but isn't USD and RUB allowed past the border? Why was the Swedish citizen fined? For putting the money in their underwear?

antoniob

Cal Why was the Swedish citizen fined? For putting the money in their underwear?

European Union + Iceland, Norway, Switzerland banned to bring to Russia all currencies of their countries, not just EUR. Sweden is in EU so SEK is part of this. As well as DKK, PLN, HUF, NOK, CHF, etc.
It is btw anti-constitutional in single EU countries and illegal, because no parliamentary process, but well EU is an authoritarian monster since long.
It is also silly because USD is allowed.

Cal

Thanks. I will be sure to take only USD and RUB going in.
If I think I need Euros for the return, I can get them in Pskov and take them back to Estonia.

KO______

KO______ I suppose I could be mistaken but alot of people hide things when crossing borders and that is never a good idea. I'd like to know the full story on the hidden currency. I keep reading "concealed", "undeclared" not "had on them." Border agents are very good at spotting liars and watching body language. Everyone should already know that. And just because its against rules doesn't mean its universally enforced. I won't hesitate to bring EUR next time too.

antoniob

KO______ The issue here is not that they had foreign currency on them, it was that it was concealed.

there is a ban on all EU currencies:
https://www.emta.ee/en/private-client/consignments-travel-moving/travel/declaration-cash#restriction

the amount exempted for personal use is not stated, and is left to decision of the customs agents.
Agents may or not go through luggage inspection, quick or comprehensive. I have had both. Couple times there was no inspection at all. Hard to tell why when.
So people who want to bring a significant amount, hide it. What happens it seems from these news, is that customs agents now go for deeper inspection.

KO______

antoniob Fair enough, but as I said, I couldn't care less about this. If a border agent asks me, I'll be truthful and upfront. That being said I never carry more than $10,000 (USD/EUR mix.) Anyone lying to border agents are doing so at their own peril.

Exiting Russia I am always asked how much cash I have. Only once did they ask more questions and do a deeper inspection. But again, I was open and honest, offered my phone to them to look at pictures of the items I was leaving with in my checked baggage (Soviet era.) After a few questions I was on my way.