How to ship your bike to/from Russia - practical advice for adventure riders
 

Dear friends,

My name is Alex, I live in Russia. Few years ago I left my office job to develop motorcycle travel industry in Russia, because its still a small child comparing to Germany, UK, USA, Canada, Australia and many other countries.

In our everyday communications we regularly receive questions from foreign riders how to ship bike to Russia. And what options there are to ship bike from Russia to Europe and other countries.

Today we will try to give you exhaustive answers to all this questions. Please be aware that rules and laws change so written here may be not accurate in a few year and even months, but at the current moment its practical information.

Anyway if you will have any more questions please don't hesitate to contact us, you can contact me alex.nikonov@rusmototravel.com or by phone +7 903 621 11 86(phone calls, whatsup).

So lets starts, here are the main topics we cover today:

1) Entering Russia with your bike – crossing the border
2) Shipping bike to Moscow
3) Leaving your bike in Russia for temporary storage
4) Shipping your bike back from Moscow to Europe
5) Shipping your bike back from Siberia to Europe
6) Shipping your bike back from Vladivostok to Europe
7) Doing the Round the World Tour, shipping your bike from Vladivostok to South Korea/Japan, Canada or Australia


1. Entering Russia with your own bike - crossing the border

There are many border crossing points to enter Russia, you can ride through Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan. If you enter Russia from Europe Finland, Estonia and Latvia are the preferred options. To cross the border you need: 1) Driving licence 2) Passport with visa 3) Documents for the bike (technical passport or other prove that you are the owner) 4) Insurance

Is it necessary to make international driving license or you can use local Italia, German, USA, Canada driving licence? If its in English and its clear that you have permission to ride a motorcycle that you don't need something else, ride with your local driving licence. But if its in Arabian, Japanese or other languages when its not clear what is written in it, make translation into English at least.

Where can I buy insurance? What insurance it should be? Can I buy insurance in Russia? To begin with you need European Green Card Insurance, here you can read what it means. Best solution is to buy it at your home country, but sometimes its difficult to find local insurance company (for example in UK or in Japan) that can sell you it. Situation differs from country to country, so there is no universal solution. Ask your local insurance company if it sells such insurances. If you cant buy insurance at home don't panic, at the border there are usually special kiosks where people sell such insurance policies. Last, but not least, at the border nobody will check insurance as a rule.

In Russia, for example in Moscow, if it so happened that you passed the border without insurance, its possible to buy local insurance, but its very complicated, because not all companies do this and you will need to translate your documents into Russian with the attorney. It takes time and money (50 and some riding to attorney and to insurance company). Buying insurance at home or at the border is much cheaper and easier.

When you cross the border you will need to fill to papers - migration card and declaration form. Both blanks are in Russian/English, so you can understand what is written. Both are free. First one is for migration service, that you have visa and there you mostly enter your passport details. Second one is for importing your bike. After officer will stamp your documents he will give you copies of it - store it in safe place with passport because you will need this papers when you leave Russia. Also in the hotels this papers are required.

2. Shipping bike to Moscow

Bad news first. You can't ship bike to Russia by truck/train. There is a law in Russia that owner must be at the border, so you can't just load it and fly by plane to Moscow. Good news that you can sent it by ferry to Vladivostok (approx 2 months and 2000 EUR from Rotterdam or Hamburg). Also you can send bike by plane to Moscow and in any other city. With plane its fast, but expensive, 3000-5000 EUR. We have never shipped bike by plane to/from Moscow, only from Vladivostok to Canada.



3. Leaving your bike in Russia for temporary storage

You can leave your bike in Russia for as long as 12 months. For first 6 months nothing special is required, for longer period it is suggested to make temporary registration with local police department. From our experience nobody asks for this at the border if you leave Russia within 365 days from arrival.



4. Shipping your bike from Moscow back to Europe

Only by plane or you can ride it on your own. No truck and trains are available.



5. Shipping your bike from Siberia back to Europe

If you decided to finish your trip somewhere in Siberia, for example in Novosibirsk or at lake Baikal, there are two ways how you can return home. Best solution is to put bikes on the cargo train to Moscow and take ticket for passenger train and ride to Moscow over the Trans-Siberian Road. From Novosibirsk its just 2-3 days. From Baikal 3-4 days. Price for bike is around 200 EUR, passenger ticket for train is also around 200 EUR, depends on the class of the seat.

If you don't like trains you can fly to Moscow by plane and wait for bike there. Ticket price will be 200-400 EUR. And bike will be shipped by train. Also there are truck shipping companies, price is the same as with train, may be a bit more expensive, but we actually never use such way as train cheaper and more reliable.

In Moscow you pick up bike and go back home



6. Shipping your bike from Vladivostok back to Europe

From Vladivostok we suggest the following ways to return home.

First of all both, you and your bike, can return to Moscow by train. It takes 8 days for passenger Trans-Siberian Train to reach Moscow (300-400 EUR ticket) and 12 days for cargo train to return your bike (350-400 EUR). In Moscow you meet with your bike and return home through Scandinavia countries, Baltic States or other ways.

Second option, after reaching Vladivostok next day you can send bike by train to Moscow. As for you enjoy 2-3 days in Vladivostok, as an option take a plane to Kamchatka (around 100 EUR to ways ticket), and after that return to Moscow by plane. Several days in Vladivostok + Kamchatka 2-3 days (optionally) + one day 8 hour flight to Moscow and you will come back just few days before the bike arrives. Enjoy this time in the capital of Russia, have some days for rest after long Moscow-Vladivostok trip and just relax. After you pick up bike head back home.

Third option, you can ship your bike to Europe by ferry. It takes 2 months and costs 2000 EUR. Ferry arrives at Rotterdam or Hamburg. If there are other bikes its cheaper for the group (1300-1500 EUR per bike). In the end of summer in Vladivostok there are usually many motorcycle dropped from travelers all around the world and there is high probability you can have a shared container and cheaper price, around 1250 EUR. Your contact person for ferry is Yuri Melnikov, we can give his contacts upon request. Or you can find him in the internet on your own. And you return home by plane in this scenario



7. Doing the Round the World Tour, shipping your bike from Vladivostok to South Korea/Japan, Canada, Australia

If Vladivostok is not the end of the journey, but just a place where you have a break before your ride goes on, here are advice for shipping your bike to South Korea, Japan and Canada. With first two countries its easy - there is a ferry, here are details, that can take your bike there. 3-5 days and around 750-1000 EUR for bike + your ticket.

With Canada there are two options - you can ship bike by ferry, it takes 1-1,5 months and costs 1650-2000 EUR. Or by plane through South Korea. Price will be 1250 EUR for shipping to Korea and custom documents preparations. After its 3000-4000 EUR for plane to Canada. If you dont plan to make a long break in your trip its only plane suitable.

There is also a ferry to Australia. In a shared container 1250 EUR and 2000-2200 EUR as a single slot. AS usual 1,5-2 months duration.



We hope that information above will be useful to you. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions, we'll be glad to assist you. And don't forget that in many situations its easier to rent a bike with us. Looking forward to see you in Russia!

This is great information ,i have more question later on i hope u can help me.thank u.

Bookmarking this thread for a later date. Thanks for taking the time to share this information. Very appreciated.

Hello Alex,

Thank you very much for this great update.

I have a question : what is the best way to get my bike from Magadan back to Europe?

Can I put the bike on a train from Magadan to Moscow?

There is no railway connection with Magadan. Three options available:
1) by ferry to Vladivostok and they by another ferry to Europe
2) by truck to Vladivostok and then by ferry to Europe or by train to Moscow
3) by plane

This is very good information. Thank you for compiling it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thank you very much, excellent information.

I'm planning to make a round the world, but I only can travel in vacations so I need to leave the bike along the way till the next year. The first etape (Kirguistan) is easy, but I have a lot of doubts about Russia.

Where can I leave the bike until the nex year in Magadan or Vladivostok?

Any advise will be appreciated.

@trapitodark, when you leave it in Russia, you have to get a TIP (temporary import paper) with 12 months or something. You can get this, but there are also people that got a TIP as long as their visa lasted.

Vladivostok at BMW dealer or Yuri Melnikov office!

Thats right. if you want to leave bike in Russia its better to make 1 year business visa.

I would offer to fly into Russia or Mongolia and return jour bike personly. Just pn me if your interesdet :)

Ferry from Vladivostok
 

Hi Alexi thanks for information now I just have to time my arrival to suit ferry departure to South Korea.
It seems to only leave on a Wednesday is this correct

Thanks again

It would leave on a Wednesday - if it was running.

HI Alex,
first of all, many thanks for your crystal clear post.
I am currently trying to enter Russia from Estonia with my sidecar. I plan to go to Vladivostok and beyond for a world tour.
Currently russian borders are closed but may resume on Aug 1st.
If this is the case, I may be in Vladivostock by october.
Have you any ideae about what would be possible for transportation to japan, Australia or Canada.
Thank you.

For shipping info, see the HU Shipping Database of Travellers previous shipments for recommendations and information: https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/get-ready/shipping

Thanks Grant

Have not been on for a while but last i heard there is no existing ferry from Vlad to Japan anymore. The Ferry company ceased operations due to political disagreements between the two countries.

Thanks Brian,
This ferry had also a stop in South Corea. Do you know if he is still operating between Vladivostok and South Corea?

Apparently it has totally ceased as the route to south Korea was chartered through the same company. Unless somebody has some updated information there is no way to get to south Korea or Japan with a vehicle as before. To confirm this you could contact Yuri Melnikov in Vladivostok for an update on the situation. The same remains for the ferry from Sakhalinsk to Japan,which used to be an alternative option.

Clear, thanks

Hi, just got this info from Youri (many thanks to him).

«*DBS ferry doesn't operate since November. However there is information
that another korean company bought the ship and they plan to use it as
cargo ship since August while borders are closed. After borders will be
opened they will take passengers as well. They plan to go
Maizuru(Japan)- Sokcho (Korea) - Vladivostok.«*

Beware that even it is very serious info from reliable person this is still future plan.

A solid ray of hope!

Hi thank you for sharing all these informations!
I’m waiting the opening of Russia for travel with my motorcycle from Italy all the way to Vladivostok


Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk

May be on Aug 1st 😊

On my way to Vladivostok
 

Hi, I succeeded to enter in Russia on July 12th. I am currently on my way to Vladivostok (Still 1500 km to ride).
I am riding a Ural side-car. I left Paris on June 12th.
I will have to ship my bike from there.
I will let you know what is the situation on site.

Jean-Louis

From Magadan to Europe?
 

Hello fellas,

Does anyone know if there is a possibility to send a motorcycle from Magadan back to Europe by Ship (Container)? :boat:

Thank you.

You may contact Yuri. I am sure he will be able to help you.
https://links-ltd.com/
Regards
Jean-Louis

Russia
 

Hi Alex
Great comments & tips you have on this post at Horizon Unlimited.
I would like to ask for your advice about my New Zealand Registered vehicle which is now stored in Anapa, Russia at this time. That I ,am driving around the World with this vehicle.

In September 2019 I entered into Russia from Georgia at the land border with my Toyota Landcruiser. This meant I was allowed to have my vehicle in Russia for a 12 month period up to September 2020 before I had to leave Russia with my vehicle.

I have left my Toyota Landcruiser in storage at a friend’s farm in Anapa and Departed Moscow for New Zealand in October 2019 and was planning to return to Anapa in April 2020 to carry on with my travels but due to the Global Covid-19 Lockdown travel restrictions I have not yet been able to return to Russia as planned.

Do you think I will have any issues when I finally get to Travel back to Russia and collect my vehicle and depart for the EU?

Is it still possible to ship Moto on Train to Moscow?
 

Hello,

I have African Twin in Vladivostok. Registered in USA and TIP until June 24, 2025. is it still possible to ship Moto on Train to Moscow?

Thank you. Gary

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