Mike:

if I am not mistaken, the AAA Intl. driver's license has a page in Russian in it.

You're right Stan, there is a page in Russian in the IDP. But, I have heard the Russian authorities might want a Russian translation of a persons US drivers license. Of coure, I've also heard they don't. So it goes. ;o)

Peter & Chris, you referred to an "immigration card." What's that? One more thing I'm not familiar with, apparently, despite all my research.

Thanks again.

Mike

Many questions, which I will try to answer to the best of my knowledge...
But first, you must understand "It's Russia!!" You will hear this from almost every Russian you meet (right Shustrik?)
Things change fast. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. ANY problem can be solved with time (and sometimes a bit of cash).

"Letter of intent" has never been a requirement before. But it seems like a better system than $100 to an agent who will take a day or two.

Fire extinguisher, etc.: Never heard of this being required. Don't worry. If you need it you can get it in Russia cheaper than at home. IDL should be OK. Has been OK for a dozen friends and myself in the past. Don't worry!

Immigration card: You get it at the port/airport. Some embassies will also give you. Don't worry!

List of possessions: You can write everything you bring on your customs declaration, but usally people only put the very expensive items (cameras, computers, etc.). Sometimes this is all on the Carnet. But you don't need a Carnet for Russia.

All the info I got from Peter is in the post above. If you need anything else, you can take care of it when you get there. Don't worry!

Note that ALL this information can change tomorrow.
Why?
It's RUSSIA!

But don't worry! You will love Russia.
There are only three things I don't like: Siberian mosquitoes, annoying drunks, and the kid in a Lada that ran my down. And none of those killed me (although the Lada came close). So, (did I say this before?) Don't worry!
It's Russia...

Update from Peter Forwood in Vladivostok:

To get the bike finally out you have to pay port handling fees. An exhorbitant 2100 Rubles plus document fees of 700 Rubles. This gives you 3 days parking on the wharf in security, time to clear customs proceedures and is unavoidable. It all adds up to about $US100.00

(note from Chris: See. Anything can be overcome with time and money)

Hello Chris,

Could I ask you a question,

Could I rent a motorcycle in Japan and take ferry to Vladivostok or Sakhalin island for a fee week ride ?

Do I need a paper works ?

Thanks

Jeff

I seriously doubt it.
I don't think you can't take a motorcycle you don't own out of the country.
Too much paperwork, anyways.
If you find a rental company that will let you do that, though, let me know.
Start a new thread if you want to continue this discussion.

Right http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif
usial answer. Why lift don't work? Its Russia! %)))

Chris, thanks for all the answers to my quesions. I'm very appreciative.

Mike

[This message has been edited by liketoride2 (edited 17 May 2005).]

Thanks also from me! My bike is due in Vladivostok around/before June 30 (via ship) and I will be there shortly afterwards. Peter Forwood's guide is most helpful and I will follow suit. Just one question (and excuse my ignorance), but where does the customs declaration come from? Do you also get this when you arrive in Russia (in person) or is it something you need to ask for? I think I will have all of the other items, but if someone could confirm this one, that would be great.

FYI, here is my plan

www.users.bigpond.net.au/AdrianScott

Maybe I will see some of you in Vladivostok?

Regards,

Adrian

im right now in valdivostok, trying to get my vehilce out of customs. will keep you up to date how it works for us.....

daniel

Now they already get their's tuk-tuk and just has rest and little repair.
Everythings fine, they already tryed almost all sort of local beer http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif))))

[This message has been edited by Shustrik (edited 24 May 2005).]

All was wonderful, the truth I was afraid that tyk - tyk will make on roads of Vladivostok of failure http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif Drivers of machines, when it saw with curiosity overlooked about rudders of the car.

Here I have laid out some photos

http://public.fotki.com/GrozaB/daana/sisu_and_danial

[This message has been edited by Daana Rafalasko (edited 26 May 2005).]

Daniel Snaider asked me to post this for him about getting his tuk-tuk through Vladivostok customs. It is long, but very detailed. Thanks for the information Daniel!!

How we got our vehicle out of customs in Vladivostok 24th of May 2005
By Daniel Snaider

We asked at the information desk, right at the entrance of the ship gRUSh for our gBill of ladingh. We were asked to pay US $10 to get the original paper on Monday 5 p.m. at the custom storage. Sunday we just got a copy of it.

On the ship we got the custom declaration, which we had to fill out. On the back you have to declare your vehicle. When we left the ship, the immigration/custom will stamp front and backside and you should take care of it as good as of your passport and immigration card.

On Monday we went to the custom storage to pick up our Bill of lading, but even with some pressure we did not get it before Tuesday, 11.00 a.m.

Collect following papers and make photocopies and go to gcustom of transportationh. They have to stamp your bill of lading and give you a special paper, which lets your bike out of the custom storage. This paper you also need for custom when leaving the country.
[The office was located at: Ul. Strelinkova 9
To get there, we took bus No.61 in front of the Lenin-monument, opposite side of train station. The bus will take you to the beginning of ul. Strelinkova. Ask the bus driver to drop you on the right bus station. Then you have to walk about 3 min. down the street.
You will find the office when you go up the street, which starts on the opposite side of the main entrance of building gStrelinkova 9h, go up till the first right-curve. Enter the building on the left hand side from the backdoor.]

Required papers:
Bill of Lading (gcarnasenh (?)), Passport (copy also visa), immigration card (copy both sides), custom declaration (copy both sides), and vehicle registration papers and owner papers and if you already have insurance (but I think not really necessary). And we were asked for a gletter of intentionh, in which we have to ask the custom to release our vehicle.
[The letter of intention should include all vehicle specifications, the home address and where you stay in Vladivostok (we wrote hotel Ecuador) Shustrik (thanks so much!) organized the travel intention with the country of destination/departure. We had the feeling that this letter is not required by law, but the custom in Vladivostok just want to get 100% sure that the vehicle will be taken out of country. Please contact Shustrik in Vladivostok. He got all information and can give you this gletter of intentionh, which you easily can fill out with your specifications.]

On the left side there are three desks. We went to the lady of desk No.1. She was not really happy, to see someone who couldnft speak Russian. So she looked for help and found a custom broker (his name of course: Sergey!) who spoke some words English. Anyway, we had to write the letter of intention in Russian. We brought one, but this was not gofficialh enough, so the custom broker wrote another one for us. We had to sign this letter and than the letter had to be signed by the boss of custom!
After all we got our stamp on the bill of lading and we got the paper.
The whole process took us about 45 min. and the biggest problem for them was this letter and that we couldnft speak Russian. Keep smiling!

With the stamped Bill of lading and this paper we had to go to the cash desk (KACCA), located at the sea terminal 3rd floor. We had to pay unavoidable and incredible 2800 Rubles (about $US 100). With the receipt we went down to the storage and got our vehicle out of custom at Tuesday afternoon.

Please remember all time: things can change fast or never in Russia!

Once again, my thanks for posting such valuable information. The process sure sounds intimidating, especially for someone whose Russian is largely limited to da and nyet (In desperation I'm bringing an electronic translator but I'm not sure how much practical help it will actually be). When I arrive any help from the HU community there will be greatly appreciated.

My projected arrival date, subject to change, is around July 25+-.

Does anyone know if the process for a bike arriving by air instead of ocean shipment will be essentially the same? Will the location of the customs office be the same as the one described above? I haven't done a final booking for bike transport yet and can go either air or ocean freight.

Shustrik, would it be possible for you to email me a copy of the letter of intention mentioned in the post above? If so, I would much appreciate it. I realize it will be in Russian, but with the help of a Russian - English dictionary I could probably read it.

Thanks again.

Mike

[This message has been edited by liketoride2 (edited 28 May 2005).]

I am arriving in Vladivostok by air, and my bike is coming by ship and I want to understand how the customs declaration (mentioned above) would work? At the airport, do I fill it in and provide details of my bike then go to the docks? Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Adrian