“Customs Stories” in the Travel Notes of Travellers of the 19th Century

Abstract

This study explores issues related to the work of customs and border crossings by travellers from the territories of the Russian Empire. The article analyses travel notes, diaries, memoirs, and correspondence of several Ukrainian and Russian travellers who journeyed through European countries during the 19th century. The research primarily focuses on the narratives of Ukrainian and Russian travellers, including O. Bodyansky, H. Halahan, A. Glagolev, P. Kovalevsky, I. Sreznevsky, and others. It was found that travellers paid the most attention to crossing the Russian-Austrian border and, accordingly, to Russian and Austrian customs, there were several reasons for this: first, the main overland transport routes to France, Britain, and the German lands passed through Austro-Hungarian territories. Second, the first experience of crossing the border was associated with Russian and Austrian customs. However, travellers considered the work of British, Belgian, and French customs to be the most professional. The study identifies a typical list of prohibitions on the import or export of certain goods, such as tobacco, tea, printed materials (including books, sheet music, and newspapers, especially during the rise of revolutionary movements in Europe), and others. The letters of third parties, not belonging to the travellers, were also subject to inspection. Due to certain reasons defined by the specifics of Russian imperial internal policy and censorship bans, travellers resorted to smuggling printed materials. Illegal activities during border crossings in European countries were associated with ignorance of local laws, significant customs sizes (according to subjective considerations), and the lack of information about the presence of prohibited goods in rented transport. The study also reveals that rumors about customs officials’ bribery and horrific inspections were mostly unfounded. However, travellers did document numerous instances where officials violated the law and exceeded their official powers.