
Road transportation
• Transportation of the body to Russia and the CIS:

Regardless of the mode of transportation (aircraft, road transport), delivery of cargo 200 is a highly responsible task, complex both documentarily and organisationally.
This procedure requires compliance with specific conditions (storage, transportation of the body) and involves the preparation of numerous permit documents for the transportation of cargo.
Russia is Belarus's closest neighbour under the Union State agreement, and this corridor accounts for the largest volume of repatriation cases handled by Repatriation.by. Moscow — with a population exceeding 12 million — is served by three international airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO), Domodedovo (DME) and Vnukovo (VKO), all under 90 minutes' flight from Minsk (MSQ). St. Petersburg (LED, approximately 5.5 million residents) lies roughly 700 km from Minsk by road. Requests also regularly come from Novosibirsk (OVB), Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don (ROV), Vladivostok (VVO) and Kaliningrad. The high number of mixed Russian-Belarusian families, dual nationals and labour migrants between the two countries makes this one of our most familiar and well-practised routes. If your loved one has passed away in Russia, please call us immediately at +375 29 314-59-59 — we are available around the clock and will take over all coordination from the very first moment.
A specific set of documents is required to transport a deceased person from Russia to Belarus. The primary medical document is the Death Certificate (form No. 106/u), issued by the treating medical facility or the Bureau of Forensic Medicine (SME bureau). In cases of violent or unexplained death, a release order from the investigating authorities is also required. A sanitary-epidemiological permit from Rospotrebnadzor (Russia's public health authority) is mandatory for international transit. The Civil Registry Office (ZAGS) issues the official death certificate, which is the principal legal document. Crucially, because Russia and Belarus are members of the Union State, neither an apostille nor consular legalisation is required — this significantly shortens the overall processing time compared to other countries. The body is sealed in a zinc coffin placed inside a wooden crate per ICAO/IATA regulations. Our team handles every document on your behalf so that you can focus entirely on your family.
Given the open Union State border, road transport is the preferred and most cost-effective method for western Russian regions — Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Smolensk, Bryansk. A specialist hearse crosses the border under a simplified customs regime without full inspection. The drive from Moscow to Minsk is approximately 700 km, typically 8–10 hours. For Siberia, the Urals and the Russian Far East, air transport is the logical choice: flights from Novosibirsk (OVB) and Yekaterinburg operate via Moscow (SVO) to Minsk (MSQ) on Belavia and Aeroflot. From Vladivostok (VVO), the route connects through Khabarovsk or Moscow. The zinc-sealed coffin in its wooden crate travels in the cargo hold in full compliance with ICAO standards. Total transit time from document completion to arrival in Minsk ranges from one to five days depending on region and mode of transport.
Russia spans eleven time zones: Moscow is UTC+3 — the same as Minsk — while Novosibirsk is UTC+7 and Vladivostok is UTC+10. Our coordination centre operates 24/7, which means that regardless of the time difference, a Russian-speaking specialist is always available when you call. We liaise directly with Russian morgues, forensic bureaux and local funeral companies in Russian, with no language barriers at any step. Orthodox Christian tradition recommends burial within three days; for the Russia–Belarus corridor this is entirely achievable when contact is made promptly. If temporary refrigerated storage of the body is necessary while documents are being prepared, we arrange certified cold storage facilities through our partner network across Russia. Reach us via WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram at +375 29 314-59-59 at any hour.
The cost of repatriation from Russia is calculated individually and depends on the city of departure, chosen mode of transport, whether embalming is required and the urgency of the case. Road transport from Moscow or Smolensk is typically considerably less expensive than air freight from Siberia or the Far East. Your first consultation is free and carries no obligation. We provide a full written contract with a fixed all-inclusive price — no hidden charges, no surprise fees at the border. Repatriation.by has been operating since 2009 and has accompanied hundreds of families on this exact route. Our specialists are trained to provide support in situations of acute grief with sensitivity, discretion and absolute professionalism. Call us at any time on +375 29 314-59-59 or write to info@repatriation.by — we will respond immediately and guide you through every step of this difficult journey.
Required documents include: the medical death certificate (form No. 106/u), the official death certificate from the Civil Registry Office (ZAGS), a sanitary-epidemiological permit from Rospotrebnadzor, and a zinc-coffin sealing certificate. In cases of violent or unexplained death, a release authorisation from the investigating authority is also needed. Because Russia and Belarus share Union State membership, no apostille is required. Repatriation.by prepares and collects the entire document package on your behalf.
Yes. International transportation of human remains always requires a hermetically sealed zinc coffin placed inside a wooden crate, in accordance with both Russian sanitary regulations and ICAO/IATA international standards. This applies whether the transport is by air or road. We supply the zinc coffin and all necessary materials. Embalming is performed where required by regulations or at the family's request.
From western Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad) by road: 1–2 days from the moment all documents are ready. By air from Moscow: approximately 1 day. From Novosibirsk or Yekaterinburg by air: 2–3 days. From Vladivostok, accounting for the Moscow transit connection: 3–5 days. Actual timelines depend on how quickly the Russian authorities release the body and issue the required permits.
The price varies by city of departure, transport mode, and required services. Road transport from Moscow or nearby cities is generally the most affordable option; air freight from Siberia or the Far East involves additional flight cargo costs. We provide a firm, all-inclusive quote after a brief initial call — no hidden fees. The first consultation is completely free. Call +375 29 314-59-59 for a personalised estimate.
Repatriation.by operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year — including all public holidays in both Belarus and Russia. You can call or message +375 29 314-59-59 via WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram at any time of day or night. A duty coordinator will respond immediately. You may also email info@repatriation.by. In an emergency, calling directly is the fastest option.