According to the customs authorities, travellers leaving Estonia generally transport goods that are in short supply in Russia, such as spare parts for cars and machinery, components for drones and electronics and radio transmission devices.
Estonian authorities have recorded nearly 600 violations since full customs checks were introduced at the Narva border crossing with Russia in early August.
Narva is a busy border point, handling around 1,500 crossings from Estonia to Russia every day.
Despite the high number of rule-breakers, the Tax and Customs board says the daily rate of violations has dropped slightly from around 22 to 18.
“We see on a daily basis that goods that are in short supply on the other side are still brought across the border. And right now, one of the concerns in the context of Narva is cash,”’ said Ursula Riimaa, the Deputy Director General of the Tax and Customs Board.
According to the customs authorities, travellers leaving Estonia generally transport goods that are in short supply in Russia, such as spare parts for cars and machinery, components for drones and electronics and radio transmission devices.
Estonia introduced full customs controls at the Narva crossing on 8 August and follows a decision in May to limit the hours pedestrians can cross.
That change was introduced after Russia decided in February to close the border crossing to vehicles, citing the need for construction works at its Ivangorod border crossing point.
Estonian authorities assume that situation will be permanent as Moscow has not provided a timeline for the completion of the works.
Russia also introduced restrictions on the number of pedestrians permitted to cross into Estonia but gave no reason for the new rules.
Since the Narva border crossing is closed for vehicles, travellers can use the Koidula and Luhamaa crossing points to drive from Estonia to Russia.
But Estonian authorities are worried that Russia could suddenly limit crossings at those points too, making travel between the two countries even more complicated.
The Estonian Police and Border guard advise against all travel to Russia.
Tensions between Russia and NATO-member Estonia have been high since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Estonian authorities warn that the border may have to be closed to all travellers at short notice, meaning Estonians in Russia may have to find alternative routes back to their home country.
Tallinn says that by the end of 2023, Russia had deliberately directed groups of foreigners lacking the legal right to enter the European Union to the Estonian border.
That prompted authorities to warn that if these activities continue, the border may be closed to protect national security and public order.
Finland closed its border with Russia last year, accusing Moscow of trying to destabilise Europe by encouraging irregular migrants, mostly from Syria and Somalia, to cross the border.
That border closure was extended indefinitely in April.
