Domodedovo customs seized a 1915 French Adrian army helmet from a 27-year-old Russian woman who had arrived from London via Cairo. Source: FCS Russia.
During selective checks on the green channel, officers found a steel helmet in her suitcase with a brass plate reading “Soldat de la Grande Guerre 1914-1918”.
She said she had bought the souvenir in France as a gift for a relative and was unaware that a declaration and permits were required.
Experts confirmed the helmet was designed over a century ago by French army general Auguste Louis Adrian; such helmets were used in the First World War and are cultural valuables. The item was seized.
An administrative case was opened under Article 16.2(1) of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences (non-declaration); a fine and possible confiscation may follow.
Importing cultural valuables into Russia requires a passenger customs declaration and an authorised expert opinion classifying the item as such.
