Storing a bike in Almaty?
 

Hi everyone,

Does anyone have any info on storing a motorcycle in Almaty for an extended period of time? If possible I'd like to drop it there, returning when I can to continue on to Mongolia (in a year or two) and to Siberia, rather than driving the bike all the way back to Germany.

Would there be issues with paperwork? They didn't note me having a bike in my passport but they did input the information into a computer when I entered.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Jake

Not sure how much it has changed since the customs union, but 18 months ago the longest customs extension you could get was 6 months from date of entry. If the bike is in the country any longer than that, you will be liable for import duty.

You will have a customs form from when you entered the customs union ... it will have an expiry date on it.

Hmm, would a "nearby" Russian city or Ulaanbattar be more feasible?

Thanks for the help,

Jake

Russia is the same deal ... since they have a customs union with KZ, and you also have a limited amount of time there to import a vehicle before it becomes "an import".

Not sure about Mongolia.

3 or 6 months?
 

When you arrive in the customs union are you given 3 or 6 months on your TIP (Temporary Import Permit) ?

I've seen some posting's suggesting it depends on the length of your visa but they are usually of one or two months duration... aren't they?

I'm asking because I would like to store my bike in Almaty from the end of October 2013 until the local weather allows me to collect it in 2014 (sometime between Feb and April would be ideal).

Ulaanbaatar appears to be the other option in the region but a quick check of return flight prices to Delhi comes up with £388 from Almaty and £848 from Ulaanbaatar.

I'm open to other ideas if anybody has any suggestions.

Cheers

Adam

I suggest to leave the bike outside custom union. 200 km from Almaty is Bishkek. You will avoid many problems... I keep my bikes in this city.

Great idea
 

Thanks Sambor. That is a top idea, especially now that Kyrgyzstan has relaxed its visa requirements :thumbup1:

Kyrgyzstan Visa Information and Support

RUS.
3 months is the maximum they will put on a TIP at the border.
I have a feeling they now issue TIPs for 3 months even if ones Visa has a shorter remaining validity although that was not the case before the Customs Union.

However, provided ones personal Permit/Visa* allows, the TIP can be extended from the 3 months to 12 months at any Customs office (as opposed to a Border point).
*remembering the 90/180 day restriction


Inconsistently, a 3 month TIP can be at odds by a few days with the 90/180 day restriction on most Visas issued for longer - but that's just "Russia!".

Options
 

Thanks Tony :thumbup1:

Its good to know the rules and therefore have options.

living in Kyrgyzstan
 

I live in Sokuluk, if anyone needs a place to store a bike I could help. Send me a message if you need help.

Mac