Well, I got 850 russians. They expire spring 2007. That's over 3 years from now, but I don't know exactly when they're made, so if they are two years old (example), they will last for "at least" five years. I use the words "at least", keepin in mind that manufacturers usually dates expr dates with good margin. It's like when you're byuing milk, if it goes a day past expr date you'll still be able to drink it. Anyhow, just go for it. My opinion is that they'll work fine if they're from 1999 or later and they've been stored properly.