DNA Test Unavailable in Your Country?

DNA test kits from AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage don't ship to Russia, China, Iran, and several other markets due to import restrictions and regulatory concerns. Cestry is a photo-based AI ancestry alternative that works anywhere — no kit, no shipping, instant results.

Important: Cestry is not a substitute for lab-validated genetic testing. It is a free, instant alternative for visual heritage exploration when DNA kits cannot be imported.

Where DNA test kits don't ship

DNA test kits face major shipping and regulatory restrictions in the following markets:

Russia: Import regulations restrict biological samples and genetic test kits. AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage do not ship to Russia.
China: Regulatory concerns and import restrictions prevent most international DNA test companies from shipping kits.
Iran: Shipping restrictions and regulatory barriers prevent DNA kit imports.
Saudi Arabia, UAE, and other MENA markets: Many DNA test companies do not ship to these markets due to regulatory uncertainty or import restrictions.
Other markets: Shipping policies vary by company and change over time. Check each company's shipping policy for your specific country.

Why these restrictions exist

DNA test kits contain biological samples (saliva) and genetic testing materials. Many countries have import laws that regulate or prohibit the shipment of biological samples for privacy, security, or regulatory reasons. Some markets also have laws restricting genetic testing without explicit government approval.

These restrictions are not specific to ancestry testing — they apply broadly to genetic test kits, including health-related genetic tests.

What Cestry does differently

Cestry works in all of these markets because it does not require a biological sample, a physical kit, or any shipping. It is a photo-based AI app. You upload a selfie, and the AI analyses visual facial features to produce a heritage-inspired exploration.

What Cestry is: A free, instant, photo-based heritage exploration tool available on iOS (App Store) for iPhone and iPad running iOS 16.4+. It is available in 38 languages, including Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Turkish, and Farsi.

What Cestry is not: It is not a DNA test. It does not analyse your genetic code. It cannot provide lab-validated genetic percentages, find biological relatives, or give health-related genetic insights. For those, you need a DNA test — where legally available.

Cestry in Russia

Russia is one of Cestry's largest markets precisely because DNA test kits do not ship there. Cestry is fully localised in Russian (Русский) and provides heritage exploration for Russian, Slavic, Tatar, Caucasian, and Central Asian ancestry patterns.

Users in Russia download Cestry as a free, instant alternative to DNA tests — with the understanding that it is entertainment and visual exploration, not genetic validation. See the Russian homepage or Russian heritage page for more.

Cestry in MENA markets

Many MENA (Middle East and North Africa) markets face DNA kit shipping restrictions. Cestry works in all of them. It is fully localised in Arabic (العربية), Turkish (Türkçe), and Farsi, and provides heritage exploration for Turkish, Persian, Arab, and Levantine ancestry patterns.

Users in these markets use Cestry as a free, instant alternative when DNA kits cannot be imported. See the Turkish or Persian heritage pages for more.

When DNA tests become available

If DNA test kits become available in your country in the future, you can use both. Many users start with Cestry as a free first look, then order a DNA kit if they want lab-validated genetic data. The two complement each other — Cestry is visual and narrative, DNA tests are biological and scientifically validated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't DNA test kits ship to Russia?
Russian import regulations restrict the shipment of biological samples and genetic test kits. AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage do not ship DNA kits to Russia. Cestry works in Russia because it only requires a photo, not a biological sample.

Which countries cannot get DNA test kits?
DNA test kits face shipping and regulatory restrictions in Russia, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and several other MENA markets. Each company has different shipping policies, but many markets are excluded due to import laws or regulatory concerns.

Is Cestry a substitute for a DNA test?
No. Cestry is a photo-based AI heritage exploration, not a substitute for lab-validated genetic testing. It offers a free, instant alternative for visual heritage exploration in markets where DNA kits don't ship.

Can I use a photo ancestry app if DNA tests are unavailable?
Yes. Cestry works on iOS (App Store) for iPhone and iPad. It analyses facial features with AI and provides heritage-inspired insights. It is not a DNA test, but it is a free, instant alternative when DNA kits cannot be imported.

Compare Cestry vs 23andMe, Cestry vs AncestryDNA, or read about free DNA test alternatives. See Russian heritage, Turkish heritage, or explore all heritage pages.