Sheremetyevo customs found 64 crocodile parts — heads, paws, skins and jaws — in the luggage of a 60-year-old Russian national arriving from Haikou, China. Source: FCS Russia.
The passenger used the green channel; officers found the exotic items during selective screening of his suitcase. He said the processed articles were for personal use and believed they fell outside CITES restrictions.
An expert review confirmed the opposite: the derivatives are protected under the Convention, with an estimated value of more than RUB 250,000.
An administrative case was opened under Article 16.2(1) of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation (failure to declare goods). The sanction may include a fine of up to twice the goods’ value and possible confiscation.
Items covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) must be declared in writing when crossing the customs border, with the required permits presented to customs.
