Tajikistan with a car
 

I toured Tajikistan for 14 days in my car back in 2007 and I'm looking at returning. Tajikistan has always been a bit of a grey area regarding import laws for cars... could anyone clear up the following...?

Is there a new rule which strictly prohibits entry of right-hand-drive vehicles?

Is it necessary to register the vehicle (I'm not talking about registering one's self or visa here) and having to pay considerable fees for doing so?

Is there a limit on how long the car can stay in the country (other than the limit of one's visa of course).

Thanks

Daniel

Hello Daniel,

There is plenty registered RHD in Kyrgyzstan (from Japan). The same in Kyrg and Kazakh. There are different procedures on every border crossing. If you will enter from Uzbekistan you will get Temporary Import document which allow you to keep the car in country untill your visa will expire. If you will come from Afghan or Kyrgyzstan you will get nothing. As far as I remember you will have to pay 50 USD tax for importing the car, and about 40 for motorbike (on the border, custom officer should give you a bill. Keep it and don't pay anything else). There is still no insurance for cars in Tajik and Kyrg.
Registration your visa in OVIR is not necessarry from 2009.

OK, that's good to know.

Did you make it into Afghanistan? I can't see anything in AFG on your blog? Did you go to the Wakhan? I'd be interested to know what's required to get the car in? Did you cross from Khorog or Ishkashim? Did you need a road permit? Could you get it in Khorog? Were there extra permits / fees for entering the Wakhan?

I crossed Afghanistan last year across three visits and absolutely loved it, I can't wait to go back, though it seems the 'safe' areas are shrinking each year in the country...

Daniel

Yes, I was in 2009 and 2010. In Wakhan. Getting the road permit is a little problem. Also crossing the border is not easy game in Wakhan. They still think you are a spy ;)

More on PM if you are interested. I think I will go the similar way in 2011 also.