Help - Carnet in Russia. True or False?
 

Hi folks,

I'm getting some seriously confusing messages about carnets in Russia.

A hubb search made me think I didn't need one, but got this email from my shipping guy today.

"The advice we are receiving from the customs agent in Russia is that an ATA carnet should be used for taking the motor bikes and personal effects into Russia…….is this contrary to what you understand?"

Has anyone travelled in Russia with a carnet? Has anyone travelled in Russia without a carnet? Do you need a deposit? Have the rules changed? Help!

Thanks!

I'm on my way there in June and have been told repeatedly that a carnet is not required, BUT I've only asked about EU registered vehicles.

check out www.waytorussia.net which has a specific Transportation section on taking vehicles into Russia. It mentions that the vehicles are "stamped" into your passport when you arrive and "stamped" out again on departure. Plus renewing every month at a customs office. Not sure what happens if the vehicle does nt leave, I suppose you get touched for some import duties.

You don't need a carnet for russia. I was there last summer.

yes, but your european, the person asking the question isn't!! speak with the authority that issues the carnet, they should have the definitive answer. you could also speak to russian customs or the consulate and try to get written confirmation (good luck on that one!!)

certainly europeans don't need one, but then I need a carnet for Australia and New Zealand!!

My suspicion is you will need one, but that is just a guess.

http://dreamers1.com/russia/Practica...ies.htm#Carnet
Is a link to the Kingsmills website (Australians) who did the same trip in 2005 - so the info is not too old. Definitely says NO CARNET.

ATA carnets.
 

I'm making a bit of progress but I'm still a bit confused.

There seem to be two separate carnet systems.

1. Carnet de passage - this is for your vehicle, administered by you local automobile association.

2. ATA carnet for things which are NOT motor vehicles. e.g. Tent, sleeping bag etc. - This is administered by a trade organisation, for example in NZ its the chamber of commerce. Costs about $400 per carnet + 100% of value bond.

What I'm getting from my customs guy is an ATA carnet request, eg for tents and sleeping bags. I'm NOT going to bring any expensive electronic gear with me, because this is exactly the situation I wanted to avoid. The most expensive item on my list of equipment (apart from the bikes) is a US$300 pair of motorbike boots.

It also seems like a lot of work. Every item needs to be photographed and described in detail.

The catch is they want it in Russian, so it's going to cost another heap of money to get it translated by a recognised translator.

Has anyone heard of this before? Has anyone had experience with ATA carnets, in Russia or anywhere else?

I'm looking forward to your comments.

I'll keep you posted too.

Cheers.

[quote=bartman10]
What I'm getting from my customs guy is an ATA carnet request, eg for tents and sleeping bags.

Has anyone heard of this before? Has anyone had experience with ATA carnets, in Russia or anywhere else?
[quote]

It's nonsense,
ATA carnet is only for expensiv profesional electronic and other gear. And my friend bring with him (5000 euro) expensiv video camera without carnet but I must say that on russian custom no one look at our baggage. We spent there 4 hours but only for paper bureaucracy.

yep, sounds like cak to me too. didn't have problem taking in gps or laptop or £2000 of camera gear

Been to Russia twice,
 

both times I had $2000 worth of camera gear, a $2000 laptop, and a $1000 Guitar. Granted I flew into moscow and there was no cross country bike trip involved. Never the less I didn't need any type of carnet for that equipment.

ATA carnets used to be about "trade goods" transitting a country. I remember having to carry about 50 pages of carnets in the late 70s when driving trucks down to Saudi from the UK stacked full of Swiss Rolls and toilet paper - dont ask me why anyone would road transport those two commodities.

I think your agent maybe having a bit of a lend of you - the only thing I can think is that if your personal effects are arriving unaccompanied and the gaent has to have paperwork to account for it.

Bartman! At the back of the Carnet de Passage is a list of all countries that use/require this document. Russia is not on the list, so it do not matter where you are from - Russia is not a Carnet de Passage country. Most countries in the world aren't. Certainly I've never been asked to show it in Russia.

When it comes to your belongings - at the port of entry you will be given a custom form that you'll have to fill out. Thats it. If you do not carry plutonium, you should be OK. Just an advice - keep your GPS in your pocket and do not flash it to officials. In some parts of Russia people have been arrested for using one.

What you need for sure is an Ingostrakh - a Russian third party insurance. Again do not worry, these are easily purchased for a reasonable cost at the border.

Enjoy your trip!

carnet
 

Bartman! For 100% sure you don't need any carnet to enter Russia. But you have to fill in the declaretion crossing the border, where you should note the final destination in Russia, the custom officer basing on that information give you adacuate amount of days to go there and come back. For example, if you are going to Moscow, they will give you permission for temporary importation of bike for 7-10 days etc. But if you break the rule and export your bike later then you have to do it, you wil have to pay the full cost of the bike!!!!

carnet
 

If you ship motorcycle, this declaration should be filled by shiping company.

But you can go to custom in any city and extend your permission. In that case they extent it to the date when your visa expire.

I just finished my Carnet Submission to the CAA...
 

Bartman10:

I am an American shipping my motorcycle to Europe on May 9, 2007. I just finished my Carnet Paperwork yesterday (2-8-07) with the person responsible for preparing Carnets for vehicles from North America (Suzanne Danis of the CAA).

She has indicated that a Carnet De Passage is NOT Required for Russia (She says that the Russian Border/Customs will stamp it in your passport when you enter the country).

I hope this helped. Safe travels.

Michael