I just spoke with a guy who entered Russia from Ukraine a few days ago--they gave him a three month temp import, with no fuss at all.

First off, I'm sorry to hear about your difficult border crossing. Having a critical look at it will help future travellers. That's the motive behind my queries.

Secondly, I'm not some random guy on the HUBB...I've done some travelling in Russia and spent a bit of time dealing with difficult border crossings...so I can sympathize...and hope to share from my of my failures. That's why I'm on the HUBB...to get more folks out there travelling!

Lastly, i think there is some missing information that you may not be aware of...BUT my guess is something pissed this guy off before you and your paperwork showed up...and his interpretation of the rules was his own.
If you can think back to the incident...did you jump ahead in the queue, etc....that may help future travellers...but may be moot for you.

I have also entered Russia dozens of times (usually not on a bike) and have never seen a border guy get even a bit angry. Either the guy was having a very very bad day when you rolled up, or you did something inadvertant to piss him off, which can be pretty easy given cultural differences, language barrier, etc.

I didn't annoy him I dont think in that I was sat waiting in the customs hall for hours and he was wandering around with a big bottle of KBAC swigging happily , insurance agent came after hours and hours and the paperwork was handed to the customs guy then the arguement started.

I'm not saying you are some random guy its just that I dont think even if I knew you by name it would make a difference , ie but you gave Mr whoever 3 months, must be this border point as Blue88 and Alan last year were both given 14 days here (and fined when they realised their mistake).

But as said I dont want to enter via sochi anytime in the future anyway.

I am sure that it differs by border post (even though in theory it shouldn't), some are worse/better than others. All I'm saying is that it is not true as a blanket statement that you can't get longer than 14 days whenever you enter Russia (but maybe true for Sochi).

Sounds like you're having a rough time...with border fun and lost/stolen tools.

At the end of the day though...you're on a trip...and what you're doing is very special...don't forget that;)

That's correct Moto. I was given 5 weeks when I first arrived in Zarubino but only 14 days when I re-entered near Astrakhan.

It seems the closer you are to Moscow, the stricter they become.:(

Not sure it is that simple--both I (got two months) and the guy who got three months entered in ukraine on the Kiev-Moscow road, so pretty close to Moscow.

Entering on the Princess Victoria Ferry at Sochi (June 2008), a friend and I received 14 days for the Bikes against 90 day Visas is our Passports. We quite possibly encountered the same 'Customs Officer' as Kennichi. Gorge, Captain of the Princess Victoria warned us about this particular Customs Officer. Apparently he always created 'Problems' and Gorge expected his cargo of tomatoes to sit rotting in the hold for several days. Our first set of completed 'Entry Papers' were torn up and thrown back at us .... no explanation. We were then given 'Russian Only' entry papers to complete. Thankfully the insurance salesman eventually helped us to complete them. Although we were the only passengers and the only vehicles trying to clear customs that day, 'He' kept us sitting around for most of it. Every 30 minutes or so, he'd come out from his office, slightly more drunk than on his previous appearance, shout something at us in Russian and then vanish again. We never felt in danger ..... but his day was certainly dedicated to trying to intimidate us. We cleared Customs in about 5 hours which in a 90 Day plan, is really not too bad. (After 3 days in Sochi, the Princess Victoria's cargo of Tomatoes was still sitting in the hold of the ship).

On exiting Zarabino, where our 50 day 'Overstay' was identified, the Customs Officers were 'Official', but 'Relaxed'. They seemed to suggest that certain 'Officials' back in Sochi enjoyed executing the ''14 day Joke'' on an increasingly regular basis. The fine from a kangaroo court was about 1,500 RR and there was a two day delay in leaving Russia for South Korea.

My impression was that Russia had an awful lot of Rules, but no two 'Officials' seemed to carry the same copy of the rule book. With every mile travelled East, the Rules become more flexible and the requirement to pay Bribes less frequent. In a weird way, I actually learned to enjoy this uncertainty. Relax, ..... Smile ..... Enjoy.

Finland - Russia
 

Just came in to Russia from Finland (Lappareenta): no hassle, polite borderpatrol, they were patient with my ignorance, and standard i was given two weeks temp import, but when i asked the lady behind the desk gave me the length i wanted without trouble. I could point on the calender and she printed a new form. :thumbup1:

grtz, Marjos


Now in St Pete for some days R&R with my sputnik:palm:

Mjos, how much time did she give you?

6 weeks, cause by then i'll be in mongolia.

Another data point: I just entered Russia from Latvia and got three months with no problem (my visa is till June 2010). I asked them if they would make it as long as my visa and they said no way (but hopefully I'll be able to in Moscow).

A group of Irish riders I bumped into got 30 day temp import permission, also coming from Latvia.