Is temporary import permit for Russia valid for multiple entries?
 

First, let me state that I have a Panama passport and so do not need a visa for Russia (who knew... but great advantage!)

I will be entering Russia in a week or so from Kirkenes, Norway and heading to Murmansk. Then south to St. Petersburg and back to Helsinki.

In another month I will re-enter Russia, probably from Latvia or Belarus, and exit through Ukraine.

The question is: Is the temporary import permit that I will get when crossing from Norway to Russia still valid when I re-enter a month later? Or is getting the import permit a non-issue? Is it easy enough that it doesn't matter if I have to do it twice?

Also, I assume that I will have to buy Russian insurance at the border. What is the validity of that?

Hi Steve,

Entering Russia from Finland is a non-issue. You get to the Custom office, when entering Russia from Norway, fill the custom paper and keep it until you get back to Scandinavia.

From Belarus, you must be aware that there is a custom union with Russia (and Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz).
Therefore, the custom form that you will fill on entry to Belarus (last time I checked online it was identical to the Russian one) you MUST absolutely keep throughout Russia.

So crossing from Belarus into Russia, no need to refill that form, just make sure you keep it. You may have to show it to custom and they need to stamp it? I can't remember, but they should hand it over to you.

Then you give it back to custom when you leave the Custom Union (in this case Russia to Finland or Ukraine).

Here an example in English (they will be in Russian at customs): http://eng.customs.ru/images/stories...es/english.pdf

Regarding insurance you can buy at the borders, yes. Can be as long as you like.

2 years ago we bought it for three months as we knew we would be in and out of Russia 3 times, so I figured we may as well cover the whole period. It is cheap and compulsory.

Maybe see you in Murmansk or Keralia as we will be there mid / late June before heading to Siberia.

Cheers,

Hi Maria
Where are you now? I'm in Karasjok, Norway. Heading to Murmansk tomorrow (June 11), although might stay in Kirkenes for a night. Then south towards St. Petersburg.
If you're in the area let's meet up. Send me a PM on HUBB

HI Steve, still in London.
We leave this Sunday and will be in St Petersburg for the Scarlet Sail festival on the 25th...

Temporary import to Russia
 

Hi All
I have a question re leaving my vehicle in storage in Russia for 4 months while I return to NZ and returning to collect vehicle and then departing Russia is this a issue??
Any feedback would be appreciated

Hi,

As long as you have the temp import doc you got when you entered, you will be fine as it's valid for one year.
I left my bike in Ulan Ude for just short of a year in 2016. put it on a train to Moscow and road it back to the UK.
Also note you will need to renew your insurance for the bike as i think it's only valid for 3 months, found the office for the insurer in Moscow. it was not expensive.

Kevin

In October 2017 I left my car in Magadan and picked it up again the folowing January. My import permit was valid for a year.

As for insurance, it's easiest (though most expensive) to buy it at the border. You can buy policies of 15 (sometimes 30) days to one year.

EO

Ray, as others have already stated, I can only confirm that you can leave your Toyota in Russia up to max 1 year, time window of which depends on the temporary import permit you got when you entered.

BR
Dooby

Yes, good point. My import permit was valid as long as my visa (just under 1 year at the moment I entered Russia).

I think some people have been given longer than their visa, but when they entered the Eurasian Customs Union (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kygyzstan, Armenia) from a country where they did not require a visa (e.g. Kyrgyzstan or Armenia). So I would recommend you have a Russian visa which is valid for the entirity of the period you intend to keep the vehicle in Russia.

EO

Presumably when leaving the customs area the TIP will be closed off, so if you re-enter it you would need a new TIP?

Only when you exit with the vehicle. If you fly out they will not ask for a customs declaration and you would be wise not to show it in case they start asking questions.

But yes, if you leave with the vehicle, the TIP is closed. AFAIK there is no limit to how many times you can get a TIP within the visa period.

This year I entered the Custom Union 2 times and both times I received 12 months TIP.

First time I entered Russia from Georgia: my russian visa was valid only for one week.
Second time I entered Kyrgyzstan from Tajikistan: as Italian, I don't need visa for Kyrgyzstan.