Belarus to Russia Road Border Crossings...
 

I have all the necessary Belarus and Russia visas for a forthcoming trip. But I'm led to believe that there is not a "formal" border between Belarus and Russia in some places...

Apparently Russians and Belarus citizens can go back and forth with ease and no border checks.

Quite whether this means the borders crossings are unmanned as some are in Europe - I'm not sure..?

It may seem strange that someone wants to seek out "Border Burocracy" but to ensure an alien like me (UK citizen) is "right and proper" in Russia I need to ensure I correctly exit Belarus and correctly enter Russia as far as immigration and customs people are concerned.

I'm leaving Belarus via the M10 from Gomel (Homel) which becomes the M13 to Oryl in Russia.

While Belarus citizens don't have to go through any paperwork formalities, does anyone happen to know if there are offices at that border where someone like a UK citizen can do what's necessary to get the correct stamps etc ?

Or do I need to find another crossing ? If so which one ?

Thanks in advance

Simon

Simon, while I've never crossed from Belorussia into Russia, knowing Russia like I do, I would be absolutely shocked if there is not an active and attentive border crossing post at every crossing point. It is just not the Russian way. Morever, there is a lot of truck and car traffic between Europe and Russia that crosses through Belorussia that would require checking, so I really can't see that you'll have a problem finding someone to stamp your passport. Hopefully someone who has done this crossing can confirm.

Tom

Thanks so much... It was prompted after TP raised the observation over lunch today... We thought as much... But wanted to be sure that I wouldn't end up in "The Motherland" having had no agro getting in !!

Simon

TOM

Have you any info regarding travelling from Korch into Russia via car ferry, and any info once Ive arrived into russia.
Ian

:offtopic:

Hey,

We drove from Smolensk, Russia to Minsk last month and there is indeed no formal border crossing. We were pretty shocked too.
We had to register at the immigration office in Minsk.

I don't have too much time online but there is some more info here, It's on the Meter - Blog

under the 'Ziggy Stardust and the Bureaucrats from Belarus' post - about four posts back.

Good luck!

hmmm, interesting. I've posted a question on a different forum, will let you know if I hear anything. So there's nothing at the border at all, no officials to temp register cars, etc.? If that is the case presumably you can do everything you need to at the Belorussian border?

Ian I just saw your question about Korch (Kerch?). I crossed at Kerch, nothing very complicated, pm me if you have specific questions.

I just spoke with a colleague that has driven between Russia and Belorussia a few times, and according to him there are border posts, its just that they usually don't stop people with Russian plates. According to him, they do stop foreigners sometimes, and in any event you should be able to stop there if you and and fill out any necessary documentation.

Haven't done it myself, but that's what I've heard so far...

We just drove straight through and went, "Er... was that the border?"

Then turned round and went back to try to get stamped or something and were waved away...

Does that mean you did not have a RUS Customs Permit for the car - nor RUS Migration Card for your Registrations?

What happened in Roads Police spot checks when you could not produce?

And what was said when exiting RUS (unless you used the same route) when you could not surrender either document?

We had migration cards and all the car paperwork but there was no one to check it on the Rus-Bel border. We figured it should have been stamped or something but couldn't find anyone to do it for us...

We had to actually wait until we got to Minsk then find the registration office.

That sounds like you crossed this border from RUS to BY.

Srace7's original query is for going the other way. Maybe he too should go looking in Minsk.

Anyone?

Russia and Belarus have a small union, so the immigration card you fill out when you enter russia or belarus is valid for both- it should say 'russian/belorussian immigration card'. so there is nothing to worry about if you have both visas

I wouldn't be as worried about the migration card--you should be able to fill that out when you enter Belorussia, but I'd be more concerned about the temporary import certificate for the vehicle. If you enter Russia without one of those, I think you'll encounter problems along the road, and especially when you try to leave with the vehicle. Worst case I would stop at whatever facility there is at the Russian border and be kind of insistent. Logically, you could probably also do this at the Belorussian border.

These are some of the reasons I don't go to Belorussia; the Ukrainian/Russian border for instance, doesn't have any of these complications. Unless someone is fixated on visiting Minsk, etc., why not just skip Belorussia altogether?