My bike is a 50cc Yamaha moped from 1997, owned by me, registered here in Japan on my name, has Japanese numberplates.
I am not a Japanese citizen.
I am planning to ride it from Vladivostok to StPetersburg and then cross the EU border to Estonia. The bike will not return to Japan. It will stay in EU.
Has anyone experience about this with any vehicle?
My customs agent in Vladivostok said it is the first time for him to deal with something like this.
Japanese Department of Transport office guys refused to give me Registration Certificate (登録証書) since the moped will never return and told me the mopeds number plates will be removed by the Japanese customs in Sakaiminato before boarding the ferry to Vladivostok if it will not return.
Lying that it will return to Japan within 1 year to get the Registration Certificate (登録証書) is not an option since according to my research it will end in 3 years jail and 1,000,000 yen fine or 7 years jail and 7,000,000 yen fine (not 100% sure about that tho). Even the guys at Japanese Department of Transport office here in Tokushima did not know what will happen. They asked ME if i know . I would like to return to Japan in the future without possibly ending up in jail.
Would it be possible to clear customs in Vladivostok with a 50cc moped that has no number plates and then ride it across Russia? According to my knowledge, 50cc mopeds do not need number plates in Russia.
Any info on the topic would be appreciated.
Thank You

Vilmar

I would recommend you get the romanized licenses plate, just leave as if you were planning to return, and de-register (廃車) when you reach Europe by having somebody return the original Japanese number plate. Once de-registered, you don't owe any taxes in the future.
I don't know if you will be able to register the moped in the EU, though.
I have never heard of fines or imprisonment for not returning a vehicle. Can you post a link to where you found such information?
Simalar topic is here on the HUBB: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-croatia-95068