In January–June 2026 Russian customs stopped illegal movements of precious and semi-precious stones, gold, precious metals and jewellery worth RUB 4.5 billion — nearly six times more than in the same period of 2025. Source: FCS Russia.
Authorities opened 53 criminal cases: 48 under Article 226.1 of the Criminal Code (smuggling of strategically important goods and resources) and five under Article 194 (evasion of customs payments). Another 192 administrative cases were filed, compared with 189 a year earlier.
Most of the contraband moved with air passengers. Illegal imports more often came from the UAE, Turkey and China; outbound shipments went mainly to China, the United States and Singapore. The highest number of violations was recorded at Moscow-area airports and in the Northwestern Federal District.
Precious metals and jewellery made from them are treated as strategically important goods: moving them across the customs border in a large amount (over RUB 1 million) falls under Article 226.1 and carries criminal liability.