Checked in and carry-on baggage

Entrance security check

Upon entry to the passenger terminals at Vnukovo International Airport, all citizens must pass the security checks.

The security checks are for all persons entering the airport buildings at Vnukovo, as well as their baggage and carry-on baggage.

The inspection is carried out by employees of the aviation security service using stationary and hand-held metal detectors, X-ray television introscopes and explosive vapor detectors.

Queues may form at the entrances to the terminals from time to time during peak flight departure hours.

We ask you to take this into account when planning your trip to the airport. Please be sure to leave for the airport in advance, giving yourself enough time for all pre-flight formalities.

Pre-flight security check

Departing passengers must pass pre-flight security checks before boarding the airplane.

Pre and post-flight security checks (hereinafter referred to as «Inspections») of passengers and their baggage include items carried by passengers, aircraft crew members, civil aviation personnel, stock checks on board the airplane as well as cargo and mail. These checks are carried out by employees of the aviation security service including dog handlers who have undergone the appropriate special training and have the correct qualifications to work with service dogs.

During the pre-flight inspection, the passenger is asked to place any outerwear, belts/wallets, pocket contents and their carry-on baggage onto the conveyor belt for inspection using an X-ray introscope as it passes through the metal detector.

In accordance with the Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation No. 96 dated April 16, 2012 «On Amendments to the Rules for Conducting pre and post-flight inspections», approved by the Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation No. 104 dated July 25, 2007, the rules for passing pre-flight inspection have changed. The passenger may not take off his shoes, as well as his belt, if:

• the heel height of the shoe is less than 2.5 cm, and the thickness is less than 1.0 cm;
• the belt width is less than 4 cm, and the thickness is less than 0.5 cm.

Please note that it is down to the manager present during the security checks as to whether the belt and shoes, regardless of size, are to  be inspected using special and/or technical means if it is deemed necessary.

Passengers with implanted devices that stimulate cardiac activity are examined without the use of special and/or technical means upon the presentation of any supporting documents/certificates from a medical institution.

In cases where a passenger is suspected of having prohibited items and/or substances, a personal inspection is carried out, as well as a manual inspection of the contents in a  passenger’s carry-on baggage.

Dangerous substances and items found in a passenger’s carry-on baggage and any other kind of baggage during the inspection will be prohibited from being transported but may be transferred to the accompanying person/s or taken for temporary storage. The baggage will be held for 2 months from the date deposited.

In accordance with paragraph 11.2.5 in the Manual on Fire Safety for Civil Aviation, approved by the Order of the Minister of the USSR General Assembly No. 133 dated June 21st, 1985, it is prohibited to store and/or use flammable liquids or substances in air terminals and passenger buildings.

Compressed gas, toxic, poisonous or flammable liquids and batteries with a capacity of more than 160 Wh, or any other dangerous goods are not accepted for storage.

Seized items and substances can be obtained at the address: Vnukovo Airport, terminal A, 1st floor, arrival area of domestic lines, unclaimed baggage room. Upon arrival at the terminal, it is necessary to contact the unclaimed baggage room located in the waiting area for passengers on domestic lines by direct communication.

The cost of tariffs for the services «Registration for storage and issuance of items and substances prohibited for carriage on board the aircraft» and «Storage of items and substances prohibited for carriage on board the aircraft».

Unclaimed Baggage helpline: +7 (495) 436-45-13.

Working hours: 24/7

Passengers who are unable to pass the pre-flight inspection on general grounds due to their health condition must undergo a pre-flight inspection in the medical center at Vnukovo International Airport.

Passenger’s who refuse to pass the pre-flight inspection are not allowed to fly.

Rules for Transporting Liquids in Carry-on Baggage

According to the Rules of the pre post-flight security checks approved by the Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation No. 104 dated July 25, 2007, passengers may carry liquids, gel-like substances, and aerosols in containers not exceeding 100 milliliters. The total volume of containers must not exceed 1 liter per passenger.

Containers in the carry-on baggage must be packed in a transparent bag. Liquids from duty-free stores may be taken on board if sealed in a transparent bag. 

Permitted containers of 100 ml or less must be packaged in a single, securely sealed transparent plastic bag. The total volume of liquids must not exceed 1 liter.

Prohibited Substances and Items

According to Annex 1 of the Rules for pre and post-flight security checks for passengers approved by the Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation No. 104 dated July 25, 2007, passengers must not carry the following hazardous substances and items in their checked baggage, carry-on baggage or personal belongings:

A detailed list of hazardous substances and articles prohibited for carriage on board by crew members and passengers is contained in the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Doc 9284 AN/905 ИКАО).

The following items and substances are permitted to be carried on board the aircraft by the crew and passengers under the required conditions:

Liquids, gels and aerosols classified as non-hazardous:

• in containers with a capacity of no more than 100 ml (or equivalent capacity in other units of volume), packed in a securely closeable transparent plastic bag not exceeding 1 liter - one bag per passenger.

Liquids in containers of more than 100 ml are not accepted for carriage even if the container is only partially full, with the exception of:

• medicines, special dietary products, baby food, including mother's milk, in the amount necessary for the duration of the flight;
• drugs containing narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors in the presence of documents stipulated by the international treaties of the Russian Federation, including the acts constituting the law of the Eurasian Economic Union, and (or) the legislation of the Russian Federation, confirming the prescription of the said drugs by the passenger with an indication of their name and quantity, in the quantity required for the time of the flight;
• biological materials if the passenger has documents stipulated by international treaties of the Russian Federation, including acts constituting the law of the Eurasian Economic Union, and (or) the legislation of the Russian Federation, establishing the Procedure of transportation of biological materials.

Liquids bought in duty-free stores at the airport or on board the aircraft should be packed in a tightly closed (sealed) plastic bag ensuring identification of access to the bag contents during the flight, which has an authentic confirmation that the purchase was made at airport duty-free stores or on board the aircraft on the day (days) of the trip.

The airport, airline or operator administration may decide to introduce additional aviation security measures on high-risk flights, as a result of which the following items may not be carried in the cabin of the aircraft:

• corkscrews;
• hypodermic needles (unless medically justified);
• knitting needles;
• scissors with a blade length of less than 60 mm;
• folding (without latch) travel knives, penknives with a blade length of less than 60 mm;
• mercury tonometers;
• mercury barometers or mercury manometers.

Rules for the Transportation of Firearms, Ammunition, and Special Devices

Passengers carrying firearms and ammunition (including cold weapons and gas weapons) must inform an Aviation Security Service Officer and a Police Officer at Vnukovo Airport before the pre-flight security check (at the entrance to the airport complex).

After check-in, passengers who have the right to keep and bear arms must hand over their firearms and special devices to an Aviation Security Service Officer in the collection room for further processing and handing over to the aircraft crew for temporary storage during the flight:

• Terminal A, domestic airlines, room 3219;
• VIP-ZOLiD terminal, room for collecting firearms and special equipment.

1. When booking and checking in for a flight, passengers must inform an airline representative or an Aviation Security Service Officer that they intend to carry weapons in their baggage.
2. During check-in and baggage handling, the passenger presents the weapon for weighing and marking. The check-in agent then weighs the weapon and includes its weight in the total luggage weight, which is noted on the boarding pass and entered into the check-in system. The weapon is marked with a luggage tag.
3. Passengers carrying firearms must check in no later than 90 minutes prior to departure.
4. At the airport of departure the passenger must arrive at room 3219 at least one and a half hours before departure to hand over the weapons and ammunition to the aviation security service.
5. When transporting firearms on the territory of the Russian Federation, passengers must have an appropriate permit to keep and bear arms.
6. When importing/exporting firearms to/from the territory of the Russian Federation and transporting through the territory of the Russian Federation, passengers must have a permit to import/export firearms issued by an authorized agency of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
7. Transfer passengers traveling and carrying firearms within the Russian Federation must re-register them at Vnukovo Airport. For details, call: +7 (495) 436-79-88, +7 (495) 436-27-30.
8. Under the Russian Law on Weapons, foreign nationals:
• Are allowed to import sports and hunting firearms into the territory of the Russian Federation if there is an invitation from a legal entity with a hunting license, a hunting contract with a specified legal entity or an invitation to participate in a sports events and a corresponding permit from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs;
• Are prohibited to import into the territory of the Russian Federation and use on the territory of the Russian Federation all types and models of firearms in order to ensure personal safety, protect the lives and health of other citizens, their property, cargos, and for other purposes not specified above, unless provided for by special international treaties of the Russian Federation.
9. It is prohibited to transport imitation firearms (pistols, revolvers, rifles, carbines, assault rifles, electric shock devices, etc.) in the airplane cabins.
10. Imitation firearms can only be transported in checked baggage.
11. Firearms are accepted for transportation in a discharged state only and in a passenger’s packaging (covers, holsters, special containers, cases, boxes) that meets the requirements of firearm safety and security. Firearms and ammunition must be in separate packages and generally kept separately.
12. One passenger may transport weapons as checked baggage in an amount not exceeding 5 pieces, cartridges in an amount not exceeding 1000 pieces, weighing not more than 5 kg (category 1.4S, classified as dangerous goods, Doc 9284 AN/905 "Safe transportation of dangerous goods by air" of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, packed in gun-cases, holsters or special cases, as well as in special packing of the arms manufacturer (for foreign citizens transportation of weapons imported into the Russian Federation for hunting and participation in hunting and fishing).
13. Cartridges weighing more than 5 kg are permitted only as dangerous goods in accordance with the requirements of Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air Annex 18 Doc 9284 AN/905 Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
14. Carriage of ammunition with explosive or incendiary bullets, cartridges for gas weapons, and devices filled with tearing or irritating substances is prohibited on board civil aviation aircraft (Order of the Ministry of Transport of Russia from August 16, 2021 № 275 On approval of the Federal Aviation Regulations "On air carriage of weapons and ammunition).
15. The certificate of acceptance of weapons and ammunition from a passenger is made in 4 copies. All copies are signed by the passenger. One copy is given to the passenger for collection at the airport of arrival. After handing in the weapon, passengers board in accordance with the general procedure.
16. When weapons belonging to transfer passengers are processed at the initial airport of departure, the Act has to be drawn up in 5 copies by an Aviation Security Service employee, each of which has to be signed by the passenger. Upon arrival, the passenger receives the weapon and ammunition in the special equipment check-in room at the airport of arrival, using the Act previously issued to the passenger.