"If they sell them in the street, how can it be illegal?"

Can shopping get you in trouble? Yes, and here's why:

Market places and street vendors can offer unique items that make great souvenirs. However, as a tourist in Russia recently discovered, not everything for sale on the streets is legal.

A recent article in the International Herald Tribune recounts the story of a Chilean tourist in Russia who purchased Red Army metals and old ruble notes not realizing that buying and selling these items violates Russian law. Though these items are worth a relatively small sum, the tourist has so far endured two months of issues dealing with a foreign justice system.

In other parts of the world, items made from protected animals and plants are also readily available for sale in market places but are actually illegal to purchase and transport out of the country.

Because not knowing about a law will not exempt you from being prosecuted under that law, a little pre-trip research and caution while shopping can save a lot of hassle later on.