Exporting Of Items.

[Henry Sakaida]

I once met a dealer in Soviet orders and medals. He told me that he avoided getting caught simply by NOT taking a plane out of the Soviet Union because of x-ray machines. He took the train into Poland, etc. He said they hardly ever searched his baggage.
Not all Customs inspectors are on the take. When I went to Kiev in October 2002, a Russian friend told me to slip a $10 bill to expediate movement. I decided to test it. I slipped my passport with a bill inside. The officer opened my passport, look at the bill, then at me and asked "What is this?" I was embarrassed that he asked me! Then he politely pushed the bill to me, smiled, and shook his head. I pushed it back and said, "It's OK." He pushed it back and said politely, "I'm sorry, no." I didn't push it.
Then I came to the customs inspector. I had packed a duffel bag full of food for my friends. He arbitrarily asked what was inside, did a quick mental calculation, and said, "Special tax. $90.00." I was shocked! What BS! And then he pointed to the back of the line and said, "Get special form there." I wanted to get out and didn't want to be delayed. Finally, I slipped him a $100 bill and said, "Come on! I have to go. No special form!"
He "reluctantly" took the bill and passed me through.
Some are honest and others are not. It was an intereseting experience for me. My friend says: "The government is the Mafia!"