“Spy” gizmos in an ordinary pen: Urals customs officers explain what you can not buy in online stores

Since the beginning of 2023, the Urals customs officers have identified more than 30 parcels with special technical means. These are writing pens with a built-in camera, car remote control keys with prohibited «stuffing» – usb-port and video camera. And also lock picks disguised as lathe tools and furniture fittings.
GPS trackers for monitoring pets are also among the goods prohibited to be sent in IGOs. Customs officers send such agent’s findings for examination, according to the results of which the recipient may face administrative or criminal liability. Thus, since the beginning of the year, 26 cases of administrative offenses have been initiated. All goods were withdrawn from circulation and returned to sellers.
«To avoid problems with the law when shopping on the Internet, we recommend you to visit the website of the Ural Customs Department and familiarize yourself with the information about the procedure of importing goods in IGOs. You can also contact the customs office or the hotline for clarification. As for the means of obtaining information covertly, it is easy to “recognize” them: these are devices not originally designed for this purpose, but which can record audio and video information. The main purpose of such equipment – covert surveillance, by law, individuals are not entitled to conduct it. This is a violation of the inviolability of private life and for this there is a threat of punishment», – emphasized the Head of the Ural Operative Customs Kirill Dunayev.
UTU Public Relations Department