Insurance in Sakhalin
 

Three riders and three bikes arriving Korsakov - Sakhalin by ferry in mid June and looking for information about insurance for the bikes. Will we be able to buy at the ferry landing or should we have it organised before that? Any and all information appreciated.

If you are arriving by the ferry from Japan, I think insurance is covered in the customs clearance procedures they offer (not included in the ferry price shown on the website). From what I hear, you need insurance before you can clear customs anyway. You may be able to get a better price if you find your own agent, but I am pretty sure you would have to contact such agency in advance.

http://www.biggles.info/Details/62/6...%20Hatchet.jpg

I've always wanted to go to Sakhalin since reading Biggles as a kid.

Sorry for the :offtopic:

Thanks
 

Thanks Chris, that ties in with other information I received today from another source so I'm happy to buy it at Customs when we arrive.

And Tim, I did say any and all information appreciated so thanks for your contribution as well. :-)

I can confirm you get it arriving from the ferry. It will be arranged for you in advance if you go to the office in korsakov just around the corner from the ferry, where you do the bike paperwork. In yuzhno-sakhalinsk you'll need to buy your personal ticket. At least, thats what I did last September... I couldn't do it at the same place...
Oh, and get Yen upfront. In Wakanai before you can clear customs, you'll need to pay cash. But I did see them driving a Dutch guy to an ATM as he didn't come prepared. But save yourself the hassle...
A.

Thank you
 

Good to have it confirmed with recent experience, I'll ensure I have the correct currency on me.

AntonioVdE went from Russia to Japan. You are going the opposite direction. (I think)
If you search in Japanese, there is lots of information on going to Sakhalin.
I found this stating 25,000 yen for customs procedures in Russia and 1 month insurance. (as of 2011)
Also seem to want 7000 yen for Japan-side procedures, but that seems a bit ridiculous. You should be able to do it yourself by just filling in the papers at customs.
http://hokkaido-nomad.co.jp/russia/p...oannai2011.pdf

You're right Chris, I missed that point.. didn't read carefully..
The only thing I can add is that I didn't get any extra insurance for Russia as far as I can remember.. I entered from Kazakhstan for the first time and nobody asked anything about insurance... don't if it would be different in korsakov..

Tim:

I have been to Sakhalin (and also Anadyr, and Magadan, and Petropavlovsk, and Khabarovsk, and Vlad) numerous times piloting an aircraft very similar to the one pictured in your storybook, and trust me, you don't want to go to any of those places.

Sakhalin (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport, to be specific) might not be the arse-hole of the world, but you can certainly see it from there.

Michael

http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/a...pszyfezajt.jpg

Thanks all
 

The consensus indicates that I can organise the insurance on arrival, good to know.