Chances are ABR copy/pasted their information from wikipedia or the FCO website. Both are as useful as the above mentioned Sun comic strip. The Sun has some nice pictures on the 3rd page, so is possibly more useful.

We know that HU is, by far, the most reliable and up to date source of motorcycle travel information.

I've encountered this same process when I transit through Russia with new aircraft, delivering them from Canada to Asia (my day job).

Basically, you fill out two copies of the same form, one is retained at the entry point (usually Anadyr, in my case), and the other is surrendered at the exit point (usually Vladivostok, in my case). The Russian customs folks have a quite advanced data storage system, and they process the 'exit' document at the time you leave the country, thus cancelling the 'entry' portion of the document that you deposited when you entered the country.

I suspect - but I am not certain - that when they process your passport at the time of entry, a note of some kind is added to the electronic record indicating that you also have a temporary import of an object (aircraft, in my case) that needs to be dealt with before you leave the country.

I have always found the Russian customs and immigration people quite pleasant to deal with. They are very thorough, and sometimes it takes a while to get all the paperwork done on entry and exit, but I have never encountered any difficulties.

Michael

been a while since I passed through but I vaguely remember that being the case as well.

Just make sure you keep ALL the paperwork they give you at the border as you don't know what you might need later!

I live in Moscow but have a moto temporarily imported here. I leave very frequently on business or vacation without the bike without any problem at all during the term of my temporary import.

I'm not sure, however, what would happen if I tried to leave after the temp import had expired.

Just some recent information as i returned 4 day ride from Carelia/Russia yeasterday. From the beginning of this year (if i remember correctly notice/poster on custom wall) it is no more necessary to fill out any custom declaration forms when you exit Russia.

All you need to do is hand out entry/import form you filled out when entering country/custom area.

So you need to do less paperwork as earlier you had to also fill out one copy of exit declaration form.