Russia tightens gold and cash export rules for EAEU nations
Russia has introduced new restrictions on gold and cash exports to certain countries. Starting May 1, refined gold bullion over 100 grams will be banned from export to Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states. The rules also tighten controls on cash taken out of the country by individuals from April 2026. The gold export ban applies only to shipments heading to EAEU nations, which include Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia itself. Legal businesses and individual entrepreneurs can still export gold to countries outside the EAEU without restrictions. However, exceptions exist for gold transported through Moscow's and Vladivostok's airports, provided exporters obtain permits from the Federal Assay Chamber.
A separate rule will limit how much Russian cash individuals can take out of the country. From April 1, 2026, travellers will be barred from carrying more than $100,000 in Russian currency to EAEU states. Larger sums can still be exported, but only through designated international airports and with certified bank statements. The measures were formalised in a decree published on Russia's official legal information portal. The EAEU, which replaced the now-dissolved Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC), currently consists of five member countries.
The restrictions mark a shift in Russia's export policies for precious metals and cash. Gold shipments over 100 grams to EAEU nations will halt from May, while cash limits take effect in early 2026. Both rules include specific exemptions for approved routes and documented transactions.
