Central Postal and Chelyabinsk customs stopped an attempt to send Soviet state awards to Germany: four items in an international parcel were recognised as cultural valuables. Source: FCS Russia.
X-ray screening in Moscow found seven awards wrapped in foil between cardboard sheets: “For Impeccable Service” medals of the 3rd and 2nd classes, two 1st-class medals of that series (KGB of the USSR and USSR Ministry of Defence), a “For Courage in a Fire” medal, and the Orders of the Red Banner of Labour and the Badge of Honour. Both orders, the fire medal and the Defence Ministry 1st-class medal were classed as cultural valuables.
The sender was a Chelyabinsk resident; the addressee a collector in Brühl, Germany. The customs declaration listed the contents as “badges” valued at one US dollar.
A criminal case was opened under Article 226.1(1) of the Criminal Code (smuggling of cultural valuables), which carries a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment.
Such items may not be sent in international postal consignments or taken out of the EAEU as personal-use goods (para. 19 of EEC Board Decision No. 62 of 28 May 2024).
