Russian Customs Seizes £140,000 Shipment of Foreign Books and Educational Materials After 28 Titles Deemed to Contain Prohibited Content

Russian federal customs authorities have seized a consignment of books and educational materials valued at approximately £140,000 after flagging 28 titles as containing prohibited content. The customs service announced that expert assessment confirmed the seized products contain prohibited information, though authorities declined to specify what made the books objectionable.

The goods included children's literature in both English and German, dictionaries, educational cards and posters.

Among the confiscated titles was The Dinosaurs Who Met Santa Claus, a children's story featuring baby dinosaurs paying a visit to Father Christmas, who is depicted as a dinosaur himself. Officials examined brightly coloured books including See Inside A Museum, My First Story Writing Book, and Eggs and Chicks, which teaches young readers about bird parenting.

Baby's Very First Big Play Book was also seized.

The interactive publication is designed for toddlers aged two to four, featuring textured surfaces, concealed flaps and audio elements. The consignment had been ordered by an unnamed Russian firm that specialises in importing foreign-language books and educational materials, according to the customs service.

An administrative case has been launched against the delivery company, which faces potential fines reaching 300,000 roubles, equivalent to roughly £2,950.

The seizure reflects a dramatic expansion of state censorship since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow's justice ministry now maintains a register containing more than 5,000 materials classified as extremist. The national register of terrorists and extremists has grown from approximately 1,600 entries in 2022 to exceed 18,000 by 2025.