At Tolmachevo Airport, Novosibirsk customs officers seized nearly 40 kg of jade from a 23-year-old foreign national departing for Dubai, packed in two suitcases. Source: FCS Russia.
The passenger used the “green” channel. X-ray screening of his luggage revealed 29 mineral stones of various colours; he said he was taking them for an office aquarium and claimed he did not know the carriage rules.
Expert examination confirmed the stones were unprocessed jade.
An administrative case was opened under Article 16.3 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences (failure to observe prohibitions or restrictions). The passenger faces a fine, with possible confiscation of the goods.
Jade is classed as mineral raw material subject to a permit procedure for movement across the EAEU customs border; individuals may not export it as goods for personal use.
