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Japan customs changes: Sakhalin-Hokkaido Ferry Japan customs changes: Sakhalin-Hokkaido Ferry
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 20 Mar 2015
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Japan customs changes: Sakhalin-Hokkaido Ferry
It has come to my attention that Wakkanai Customs (Hokkaido, Japan) is, in most cases, now requiring a Carnet.
Previously, a simple declaration was sufficient.

I telephoned to find out the details, and the reason they gave me is that many travelers are not able to provide them with their specific plan. Customs wants to know when and where the vehicle is exported. Also, in some cases, travelers have failed to export their vehicles within one year. (Most likely the reason for the change)

However, they are open to making exceptions in some cases.
If you have an reservation for exporting the vehicle with a shipping agent and can have the shipper tell Wakkanai Customs when and where you will be leaving from, they might let you in with just a declaration. In any case, it seems advance permission is required. Without a Carnet or advance permission, you will not be able to purchase a ferry ticket.

I will post any updates if I get any new information.

In any case, this year (2015) is possibly the last year for this ferry route. It is not proving profitable, and Wakkanai City doesn't want to provided heavy subsidies to keep it going.
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  #2  
Old 20 Mar 2015
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Chrtis, as always thank you for quite some valuable information.

So, some did screw it up?!?

Oh well, lucky those who came here during the past couple of years via that route.
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Old 20 Mar 2015
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So, some did screw it up?!?
Not sure, but the customs guy I talked to did say specifically that some people have left their vehicles in Japan.
This could be a case of simply the paperwork not being done right, resulting in Wakkanai Customs not knowing that the vehicle was exported. However, I often receive inquiries about how to sell/abandon a bike in Japan.
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Old 21 Mar 2015
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Ferry??
So what ferry will be possible from Russia to Japan??
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Old 22 Mar 2015
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Originally Posted by Bartosz View Post
So what ferry will be possible from Russia to Japan??
Do you mean what ferry will be possible without Carnet?
Or what ferry will be possible after the Sakhalin route ends next year?

Without a carnet? I have no idea. It depends on the customs office.
Ferry from Russia? DBS Cruise Ferry is running from Vladivostok. I have not heard news of it being canceled.
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Old 22 Mar 2015
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Ferry
I mean conection betwen Russia nad Japan.
Ferry from Vladivostok is ok.
Maybe will be possible to get any teporary permit if you have round trip ticket??
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Old 24 Mar 2015
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Ferry to Japan
I find that ferry from Vladivostok to Japan is only for passangers.
I can't take car there.
Is it true or maybe there is a mistake on DBS Ferry web site?
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Old 24 Mar 2015
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Originally Posted by Bartosz View Post
I find that ferry from Vladivostok to Japan is only for passangers.
I can't take car there.
Is it true or maybe there is a mistake on DBS Ferry web site?
Where did you see that information? I see freight info here.
DBS Cruise Ferry

.
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Old 25 Mar 2015
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Ferry
Ok, thank you.
My mistake.
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Old 7 Apr 2015
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Hı Crısç, ıf I undertaın rıght thıs year ıs ok wıthout carnet?
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Old 7 Apr 2015
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Hı Crısç, ıf I undertaın rıght thıs year ıs ok wıthout carnet?
NO!
Starting this year, they require a Carnet.
This is what the customs person told me when I called to check.
Next year, the ferry stops running completely. (According to the newspaper)
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Old 13 Apr 2015
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Oh ****.....I'm without that!!!!!!!!! So I can't go to japan!!!!!!!!!
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Old 23 Apr 2015
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Sakhalin-Hokkaido Ferry
Hmmmh, bugger!
I also had planned to use this service in 2016. So it may be a 'No-Option' now. I have written to their office to find out for sure and shall report back.

I always wondered if further up north in Sakahlin one might be able to cross over to the mainland? ... even using a private service.
There are several places like Uglegorsk, Shakhtersk, almost opposite Vanino one could consider crossing. Even further north is Pogibi to Lazarev ~10km distance or Lupolovo/Rybnosk to the Russian mainland (~ 25km).

Anybody done it, tried it, researched it?? ... or where to get more info??
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Old 30 Apr 2015
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Do you think is possible to go from Russia to South corea and then to Japan without Carnet?
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Old 30 Apr 2015
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Do you think is possible to go from Russia to South Korea and then to Japan without Carnet?
Maybe. I know it has been done by DBS ferry from Vladivostok, but the persons who did it had cargo reservations for the next country already. A long time ago, Kampu Ferry from Busan to Shimonoseki refused some Australians because they didn't have a carnet. I don't know if the situation has changed.

Here are the rules in Japanese language for entering with a vehicle via ferry:
http://www.customs.go.jp/kaisei/zeik...U-S46k0849.pdf
Here is the form to fill out.
http://www.customs.go.jp/kaisei/yous...m_C/C5014a.pdf
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