From Vladivostok, Russian Federation to Sakaiminato, Japan - June, 2012

Route
Shipment From: 
Vladivostok, Russian Federation
Shipment To: 
Sakaiminato, Japan
Shipper details
Contact person name: 
Yuri V. Melnikov
Company name: 
DBS Cruise Ferry / Links Ltd
Contact person email: 
ymel...@links-ltd.com
Contact details: 

ZAO Links, Limited
89 ul. Svetlanskaya, office 312
6090078 Vladivostok
Tel. +74232220887
Fax +74232221578
Mobil +79025243447
http://www.links-ltd.com

Travellers Impressions of the shipper
Recommended?: 
Yes
Rating: 
4/5 - Good
Information about this Shipment
Shipping Method: 
Ferry
Shipping date: 
June, 2012
Cost Paid at Start (US $): 
600 + 100 (RF) + 150 (JP) USD
Comments: 

We took the expensive ferry, too. But liked it a lot! We heard the other ferry from Sakhalin only goes in summer staring 15 June. Here just some additional information to the earlier reports:

We asked at DBS Ferry in Vladivostok if it is possible to get off the boat in South Korea for longer then the few hours the ferry stops there. They said we could leave the bike on the boat and board it again 2 weeks later. Its only one boat doing circles. It is not possible to leave it at a warehouse etc. in Donghae (we found information in the internet that Germans and Croatians for some reasons are not allowed to ride in South Korea). In the end we didnt do it, but the Japanese employee working in Vladivostok was very helpful, but also spoke hardly any English (but Russian).

Its possible to book the ferry tickets in Germany (Reisebuero Gleisnost) for a small fee. You pay when you get to Vladivostok. For the bikes booking is not possible and needed.

In Vladivostok you can stay at the basic base of the Iron Angels (http://ironangelsmcc.com/index.php) or other motorbike clubs.

Yes, Yuri is a nice guy. He is right now working on a website with more information for overlanders. He has an employee Svetlana speaking German too. But there is a problem with his email adress, as his replies e.g. to web.de dont get through. You can send him copies of your passports including Russian entry stamp, the vehicle registration and a foto of the frame no. of the bike to reduce your time in Vladivostok. Originals are only needed the Monday before departure when you go with Yuri to customs. Only after that you can get the Bill of Lading (very important!) at the DBS office.

In Japan you have to get the bike of the ferry first. There a Russian employee Tatiana offered me to do customs clearance for me for free. Then you need the validation of the Carnet de Passage from the Japanese Automobil Club JAP. You can do this ahead (Mr. Minami, h-mi...@jaf.or.jp) or Tatiana will fax your documents to their office in Matsue (Tel. 0852251123, Fax 0852253411). But you have to go there in person to pick it up by taxi, bus/train (Ichibatabus 9:00-15:30) or they might offer you a lift by car for the same price. In the meanwhile Tatiana will organise the third-part insurance (Jibaiseki Hoken) for you, which you can also do yourself (or prolong it later) at any motorbike shop (e.g. Red Barron). With the validation and the insurance papers you will get the stamp in the CdP from customs.

Keep in mind its Friday, so you really have to hurry up, because customs is closing at 5 pm and if you dont have your papers ready until then you have to wait until Monday! To my mind this is only possible with the help of Tatiana. I gave her the 12.000 JPY, which I had to pay anyway for customs clearance. She processed my bike as normal cargo so there were no additional cost for her.

And off you go! Have fun! Camping is nearly everywhere (car parks, beaches, parks) possible in Japan and for free and normally comes with a clean toilet!



 

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