Azerbaijan - any experience with paying the bond vs 72hr rule?

[crash]

Hi all,

I'm currently planning a trip towards either Azerbaijan or Kyrgyzstan. What shall define whether it's one or the other is whether or not I am able to get all visas in time / be bothered to try to figure out how to ship the bike back from Bishkek or not... (I hope to leave in the next two weeks and I'm as yet visa-less... I didn't get to choose the timing!)

So question: if I decide to stick around in Azerbaijan for the Eurovision it would be nice to be able to go from Georgia > Baku and then back to Georgia again without having to worry about overstaying my 72 hours. Has anyone got any experience of doing this? From some of the other posts I gather it is possible to pay a bond - any idea on how the amount is calculated and whether it is actually refunded? Alternatively, I also read some reports that some customs officers "allow" extended visas for the bikes (past the 72 hours) - has anyone here had such luck?

Any advice appreciated!

[Samy]

Hi Crash,

I live in Baku - Azerbaijan but not riding my bike here as I am a Turkish (foreigner too) and so not have any experience with 72 hrs limit.

I also heard/read about it, but only heard.

It is not easy to receive definit information from policemen or other places. When you face this problem in the border in or out you will experience all and we will learn better after your sharing.

Will try to ask someone about this but not easy...

[crash]

Hi Samy

Thanks - it does indeed seem like a difficult topic - when I went to the embassy for my visa the person there seemed adamant that my bike would be allowed into the country as long as my visa was valid which doesn't fit with any of the reports here!

I suppose it shall be interesting to find out when I get to the border!

[Samy]

Please share your experiences when you are back... Hope you keep your bike in as long as your visa allows...

[Nath]

When I was there three years ago I made a particularly persistant effort arguing over the three day thing. This was at the Red bridge border crossing with Georgia.

I used the tactic of just lurking around refusing to leave untill they agreed a longer time limit. I also claimed the embassy in London had told me it was possible, and that a friend had passed through a few days previously without a time limit. After about an hour and a half the guy took me off to an office building to see the big boss. I seem to remember a phone call or two taking place, but the end result being I wasn't getting more than three days for the bike and if I didn't like that I should go back into Georgia. I never tried offering a bribe mind you.

I can't remember how much the bond was.

In Azerbaijan corruption is very open, and paying bribes (if that's even the correct word) is common and normal. You will probably have to endure a long argument if you want even the three day permission without paying 10 or 20 dollars for it. All the locals passing through payed whilst I was there. Tip: When you fill in the customs declaration, you have to fill in the amount of money you're carrying. Put 0, And if queried claim you rely on your credit card.

[asilindean]

Hi Samy,

I plan to cross Azerbaijan on my way to Mongolia and Siberia and be in Baku around 12-15 of May. I will stay at some friends for as long as it takes to get the ferry either to Turkmenbashi Port (if I get a visa) or to Aktau in Kazakhstan.
Do you know anything regarding the schedule of the ferry?

Afterward I will post an update here, but as far as I know no one bended the 72 hour rule.

Maybe we can have a in Baku.

Best regards,
Adrian

Originally Posted by Samy

Hi Crash,

I live in Baku - Azerbaijan but not riding my bike here as I am a Turkish (foreigner too) and so not have any experience with 72 hrs limit.

I also heard/read about it, but only heard.

It is not easy to receive definit information from policemen or other places. When you face this problem in the border in or out you will experience all and we will learn better after your sharing.

Will try to ask someone about this but not easy...

[Samy]

.::Baku Sea Port::.

Hi Adrian Hope this helps.

Please e-mail me before your arrival. aspalta@hotmail.com

See you

[crash]

Adrian + Samy - looks like we'll be there around the same time... I'll drop you both a pm when I know when I'm in town!

Originally Posted by asilindean

Hi Samy,

I plan to cross Azerbaijan on my way to Mongolia and Siberia and be in Baku around 12-15 of May. I will stay at some friends for as long as it takes to get the ferry either to Turkmenbashi Port (if I get a visa) or to Aktau in Kazakhstan.
Do you know anything regarding the schedule of the ferry?

Afterward I will post an update here, but as far as I know no one bended the 72 hour rule.

Maybe we can have a in Baku.

Best regards,
Adrian

[Snoah]

Hey all,
I'm currently trying to find more information on the 3 day rule. Right now I am in Georgia for the next few months before I continue into Azerbaijan in the start of May.

I have not gotten my Uzbek visa yet and I was planning on doing that in Azerbaijan as there is an embassy there... and not in Georgia. But with only 3 days this is not a possibility.

What is the bond and where can I find info about it? Does this allow me to stay longer? Thanks!
Noah

[Tom Bon 865]

Noah, how did you go with all of it? I have not heard of this three day thing until just now, I am going to Azerbaijan from Georgia in late April this year.
Any info greatly appreciated

Tom

[crash]

I wrote detailed info on how this worked out for me in the end on another thread - might be worth checking out..

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...a-border-64960

[BigO]

Hi All,

I'm in Tbilisi now. I'm heading to Baku on the 2nd of May and then planning to get the ferry on the 5th to Turkmenbashi. While I didn't plan it to be 3 days, I'll see if I have any issues and let you know.

Jon
Big O's Adventures | 2013 – The Year of Adventure

[Snoah]

Originally Posted by BigO

Hi All,

I'm in Tbilisi now. I'm heading to Baku on the 2nd of May and then planning to get the ferry on the 5th to Turkmenbashi. While I didn't plan it to be 3 days, I'll see if I have any issues and let you know.

Jon
Big O's Adventures | 2013 – The Year of Adventure

I'm in Tbilisi right now also. I'm leaving tomorrow for Baku. I'll be taking the boat to Aktau soon after. They don't have a schedule so I might be taking a chance but my AZ visa finishes on the 7th so I can't wait around. Maybe I'll see you in Baku. cheers. Noah

[Snoah]

Watch out for the Azerbaijani police.

I got pulled over 3 times yesterday. If you go the speed limit, old trucks, vans, and EVERYTHING will pass you. If you go with the flow of traffic they will photo you and pull you over at the next check point.

They kept saying i needed to pay $500 each time I was pulled over. I argued with them for hours and paid way less. Its still ridiculous. anyway, watch the changing speed signs. I didn't see half of them, and the traffic doesn't slow but you must... or you will get pulled over.

[Snoah]

I wish I would have printed this page. It shows the traffic violations and $$ penalty associated with it.

http://www.dyp.gov.az/?/az/content/