Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Vladivostok Customs IMPORTANT!!!!

Hello HU Community,

We recently arrived in Vladivostok for our trans-Russia leg. We just cleared customs and, as I have received a few e-mails asking me to report how it went, here is the low-down. Please note that this is MY experience and may not represent what others' have experienced, or for that matter, what may actually be normal.

First off.......so that it is properly emphasized, anyone traveling to Vladivostok who needs assistance with customs should DEFINITELY contact Yuri Melnikov at Links, Ltd. Contact information is:

89 Svetlanskaya str., office 34,
690078, Vladivostok, Russia.
Tel/fax: (4232) 22-08-87
Tel: (4232) 22-15-78
Intl Tel: 7 9025 243 447
e-mail:ymelnik {AATT} links-ltd {DOTT} com

Yuri speaks near-perfect English.

Okay.....here is the story:

We shipped the truck and trailer from Christchurch on March 28. Transit time is around 5 weeks. The vessel arrived on May 2nd. Our freight forwarder on the Russia side was Estiw. Estiw said they received documents from Maersk on May 7th. I contacted them and they said they were working with customs and processing the documents. May 9th was a holiday. On May 10th they said they were working with customs and, because Russia does NOT recognize ATA Carnets, it looked like we would need to pay duties on the value of the vehicles as well as our declared personal effects. This was absurd, since even most countries that don't accept carnets do not levy duties on vehicles, etc. that are imported into the county temporarily.

I immediately began checking with various sources (internet, Carnet issuer, e-mailed local U.S. Embassy) and found that all travel-related websites confirmed my logic. I called Estiw back and e-mailed a couple of websites that stated my findings to Estiw and to our intrepreter, so that she could explain them to Estiw personally. The next day, Estiw said that we may not have to pay duties, but probably taxes or processing fees. Again, this was ludicrus. At this point, it was already Monday, May 14th. I was more than a bit pissed.

On Tuesday, my intrepreter called the customs office and arranged a meeting with the head of Vladivostok Customs. And I mean the “big cheese.” He listened to my story, made a couple of phone calls and found that Estiw had just filed documents with customs on THAT day, May 15th. The vessel arrived on May 2nd, they received docs on May 7th and only JUST filed docs with customs on May 15th!!!! This was becoming a total joke.

Right after the meeting, Uri (Uri was referred to me by an American I met who works for Catepillar) met us and took us down to the customs office at the Port. He went to 2 people and acquired the proper forms. I then forced (and I mean FORCED) Estiw to complete the documents and file them with the correct officials. One hour later we had an inspection appointment the next day at 9 a.m. With Uri’s help, we accomplished in 2 hours what Estiw was unable to do in 6 business days. The next day we passed inspection (they just checked the VIN’s and registration/licensing without taking the vehicles out of the container). The final paperwork was started at 1 p.m. that day and was finalized at 2 p.m. the following day. We finally drove out of the port at 4 p.m. on May 17th.

As I left out some of the details of our battle with Estiw, I may not have completely expressed my fury. For instance, I NEVER received a call from them. Ever. As they kept stating that we had to pay duties, then taxes and finally “processing fees,” my guess is that they were trying to draw out the process until I would finally give in and pay the money, then they would just pocket it. That or they are just completely incompetent.

After we left the port, Uri even met us and reviewed our documents, just to make sure everything was signed/stamped/correct. Without his help, we would have been stuck here for another 2 weeks (at least!).

In addition, we received invaluable help from Darya (interpreter and overall smart cookie) and Kliment (director) at the Primorsky Travel Club. Their contact info is:

Darya: guseva {AATT} primclub {DDOOTT} ru
Kliment: kim {AATT} primclub {DDOOTT} ru[/EMAIL]

They can arrange airport pick-ups, interpreters and drivers and all other travel services. Without their assistance, we would have been hopelessly lost. Darya worked tirelessly to help us contact and communicate with the right people.

My apologies if this was a bit drawn out, but I hope it will be helpful to fellow travelers who visit Vladivostok (plus, I think typing it all out has had a theraputic effect!). If anyone would like to follow our adventures and mis-adventures, please visit www.flyfishingtheglobe.net. Sign the guestbook too! Best of luck to everyone. Happy trails!