Pamir-Highway, need advise
 

Hello,

we are three German bikers planning a trip to Silk Road and Pamir Highway in June 2013.
The strategy is:
Trailer the bikes by own car and own trailer from Germany to Wolgograd. Leave the car and trailer for approx. 3 weeks in Wolgograd, taking the bikes for the trip through the Stans via Kasachstan, Uzbekistan, Tadjikistan, Kirgisistan and again Kasachstan back to Russia/Wolgograd.
The question is whether we will get in trouble with the russian customs when we leave Russia by bike (without car and trailer) and/or when we enter Russia the second time without car and trailer at our return from the Stans?
Do we need a special permit or confirmation letter from the russian customs for leaving the car and trailer temporarily in Russia/Wolgograd?

Does anybody have an idea about this situation?

Thanks for your help

Martin

Here's my two pence:

Easiest would be to leave the car & trailer in no-mans-land, if you return through same border (so I understand).

Our experience in Russia: "wrong papers" are not necessarily a problem. As long as you don't do the "wrong thing" (such as selling the car) the police/customs will be more flexible and understanding than their reputation. Allocate some time for the discussion.

In any case: you can leave your car in Russia - and return. Done that many times.

But: avoid searching for customs offices in non-border towns (here Volgograd). We tried and always failed.

I think your biggest problem is going to be getting more vehicles than you have drivers for into Russia.

Kaz in a customs union with Russia so your Russian Temp import will cover you for Kaz also and in my experience the Kazahks are very loose about the temp import. They didn't 'check me out' of Kaz and nor did I do a new temp import upon returning into Kaz. Just kept the one I originally entered Russia with me the whole time.

So I think if you can get into Russia you will be fine.

A further issue is going to bringing a different amount of vehicles into the customs union than you are taking out.

On entry to Russia you will end up with a customs form that has all your vehicles on it.

When you exit Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan, you will be missing a car and trailer from your paperwork. They will assume you have sold it unless you can prove otherwise. When you park your car and trailer in Volgograd, you should try to park it in customs storage and get paperwork that it is parked with customs.

I dont know the address of customs in Volgograd, but they will have an office there. Maybe the guys at BikeCity34 in Volgograd can help you find it.

The Ukraine is easier for this... but then you can't go as far of course as Volgograd. Or you can first go all the way to Kyrgyzstan and leave the car there. That's not a problem either.

Hi. I agree Ukraine is much easier on this one. And Kyrgyzstan would be the only other option east of the stans. CHeers.