BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 29. Russia has
reduced the limit on cash rubles that individuals may take out of
the country to 1 million rubles (approximately $11,887) when
traveling to Uzbekistan and several other countries, under a decree
signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 29.


This was reflected in the statement by the Migration Agency of
Uzbekistan.


The new restriction applies to cash rubles exported from Russia
to Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan
and Uzbekistan. The measure extends an existing restriction on cash
ruble exports to members of the Eurasian Economic Union to
Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.


Under the decree, individuals are generally prohibited from
taking more than 1 million rubles (about $11,887) in cash to the
listed countries. The previous threshold was equivalent to $100,000
at the Russian Central Bank exchange rate.


The restriction applies specifically to cash Russian rubles and
does not prevent individuals from transferring or holding funds
through bank accounts.


An exception allows individuals to take more than 1 million
rubles (about $11,887) through international airports designated by
the Russian government if they have bank documents certified by the
issuing bank confirming that the funds were withdrawn from their
account or deposit. The government will also determine additional
documents that may qualify for the exception.







If the requirements are violated, the portion of cash exceeding
1 million rubles (about $11,887) carried by an individual is
subject to confiscation. For legal entities and individual
entrepreneurs, the decree provides for the confiscation of the
entire amount of cash currency exported in violation of the
restrictions.


The restrictions also apply separately to legal entities and
individual entrepreneurs, for whom the export of cash currency to
the specified countries is prohibited regardless of the amount,
subject to the exceptions established by the decree.


The Russian government, in coordination with the Central Bank,
has been instructed to establish within three months a procedure
for accounting for cash rubles exported from Russia.


The measure is relevant to Uzbek citizens working or residing in
Russia who plan to return to Uzbekistan with large amounts of cash
rubles. Travelers carrying substantial sums should check the
applicable requirements and ensure they have the necessary bank
documentation before departure.