Abstract: The subject of this research is the principle of reciprocity. This principle is perhaps one of the first principles of international law that remains unchanged up until today. The scientific literature studies the essence of the principle of reciprocity in correlation with one or another institution (legal aid in criminal cases, legal aid in cases of administrative offenses, recognition of foreign bankruptcy, enforcement of the decisions of foreign courts, etc.), as an element of private or public international law. The principle of reciprocity also characterizes the process of interaction between the legal subjects. In the Russian legislation, the principle of reciprocity is implemented for regulation of international cooperation in civil, criminal, and administrative cases. The author’s special contribution consists in determination of certain essential characteristics of the principle of reciprocity and its role within the system of principles of administrative law of the Russian Federation; as well as in examination of the practice of its application. The principle of reciprocity is identified with certain imperative rules or universal behavioral norms. In the international law, the principle of reciprocity correlates with such concepts as “jus cogens” or “peremptory norms”, as well as “comitas gentium”. Among the principles of administrative law of the Russian Federation , it can be attributed to the procedural principles in cases of administrative offenses. The analysis of case law demonstrates that application of the principle of reciprocity expands the opportunities for international cooperation in different spheres, namely in the absence of normative regulation or restrictions thereof.