Putin limits cash that can be taken from Russia to Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and other neighbors
Starting September 29, Russian citizens and foreigners may no longer carry more than one million rubles in cash to seven post-Soviet countries, a cut of roughly eight to nine times from the previous limit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree sharply reducing how much cash can be taken out of Russia to seven neighboring countries — Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan (all members of the Eurasian Economic Union), plus Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The rule took effect on September 29.
The new limit for individuals is one million rubles. Previously, travelers could take out an amount equivalent to $100,000 at the central bank's exchange rate on the day of crossing the border — meaning people can now carry roughly eight to nine times less cash.
For companies and sole proprietors, the decree largely formalizes an existing ban on taking cash abroad while expanding the list of exceptions. Businesses will only be allowed to move cash through specific international airports, a list the government still has to compile; the previous list included 17 airports, among them Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo. They must present a bank certificate confirming the cash came from their own accounts. Additional exceptions cover international transport companies and funds for Russian diplomatic and consular missions abroad.
Individuals exceeding the limit face confiscation of the excess amount, while companies face confiscation of the entire sum. Enforcement falls to the Foreign Ministry, the Federal Security Service (FSB), and the Federal Customs Service.
Who actually needs to carry that much cash
The restriction affects millions of migrant workers from the listed countries who regularly send earnings home, as well as Russians who relocated to Armenia, Kazakhstan, or Uzbekistan after the war began and periodically need to move cash out after selling property. Analysts believe the main goal is to crack down on business schemes that disguised cash transfers as personal travel to dodge currency controls. The new, much lower limit makes such schemes far more expensive and conspicuous, since moving large sums now requires many more people and trips.
Experts warn the restriction will hit hardest small-scale border traders, currency-exchange networks, and migrants whose informal income can't be backed up with bank records. Remaining ways to transfer money legally include banking apps, money-transfer services, and cryptocurrencies, though some channels risk being treated as sanctions evasion in certain jurisdictions.
