Domodedovo customs officers at Zhukovsky Airport found an undeclared Hermes handbag worth about RUB 3 million in the baggage of a 24-year-old Russian woman arriving from Turkey. Source: FCS Russia.
The passenger was using the green channel when an inspector selected her for a spot check. Hand luggage contained a Hermes Birkin Black Togo Palladium Hardware bag in its branded box—an item that should have been declared.
Officers also found a purchase receipt on which the price had been crossed out in a way that made the amount difficult to read.
The woman said an acquaintance had given her the bag and that she was unaware of the need to file a customs declaration.
Expert examination confirmed the handbag was genuine and made of natural calfskin.
An administrative case was opened under Article 16.2(1) of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences for failure to declare goods. The item was seized; the fine totalled RUB 861,000.
