We've hit a snag

Seems the more we factor in as many costs as we can for our budget the more and more we realise we can't do our planned original route or the length of time we wanted. That route being SEA, Japan, Russia/Mongolia/Khazak/EU/Canada/US/SA... All is not lost though.

After the planned route from shipping via Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to Japan (to spend 1.5 months) then through to Vlad it seems that this will all add up to just a little bit too much $$$. Japan will have to be next time without the bikes. By skipping Japan and shipping direct to Vladivostok we will have more flexibility ($$$) with the rest of our trip.

Can anybody provide us with some advice for such a shipment?

Has anybody shipped/flown their bikes from Bangkok/KL/Phnom Penh/SEA to Vladivostok or nearby Russia?

We would love to still cross Russia from East to West if possible. Our carnet expires in April next year and our only restriction coming up was to be out of Japan by this time. This is nullified by not going to Japan in the first place! Giving us back some freedom. We would be difficult to convince to get another carnet too (possibly ruling out South Korea?)

Its hard to wrap the head around alternate places to ship to when we've been thinking this way for the last year. Certainly open to any other options of getting through to Russia/EU.

Cheers and ride safe,

Clarissa and Neil

yeah last year went east to west, but we went direct from Seattle to Vladivostok
Try this Bob Erion for you shipping,

Bob Erion
Global Logistics inc
e-mail berion.exo@radiantdelivers.com

General info intel@radiantdelivers.com

Tele +1 425 943.4542
Fax +1 425 9434595

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Odd points that may assist your planning -

A carnet is not required in Russia, Mongolia, Kaz, EU, Canada and US - at least. I don't know about S America.

Look at ship or air freight to S Korea. Airfreight rates will be reasonable as most freight flights are returning empty having flown out fully loaded with locally produced goods. This certainly applies to/from Europe.

Once in S Korea, the simplest/cheapest way out is to have the bike transported on a truck 'in bond' to a sea ferry point to Russia (Vladivostok or surrounds). That saves S Korean local customs/roads duties which can be high. Very high.

Be aware you will need at least a double entry visa for Russia as you are going into Mongolia which means re-entering Russia before Kaz. A further (third) re-entry to Russia is needed unless you plan to reach EU via Iran (Carnet required) and Turkey.

Russia tourist visas are only valid for 30 days and maximum double entry. A multi entry business visa would be advisable.

I am not sure of your dates, but riding in East Russia and Mongolia will be pretty uncomfortable until May/June and again after September.

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Thanks for the replies!

Bushman - was Bob Erion based in the US or in Vlad?

Tony P - We are certainly trying avoid another Carnet (in hindsight we could have avoided it all together now). I believe there's no requirement for South America.

The air to S. Korea and then ferry to Vlad/surrounds sounds good. When we start sending emails off to some shipping companies we will mention this.

Lots of research going into our Russian visa etc recently and we believe we capable of getting a 3 month double entry business (as we've never had a visa before we not entitled to a multi entry). We have to send our passports back to Australia - impossible to get outside of our country. So this would mean only a visit to Mongolia if I'm correct. As into Vlad would be 1st entry then returning back from Mongolia would be the 2nd?

Would we be unable to enter the EU eventually via Belarus/Ukraine from Russia? As we wouldn't be willing to get the carnet again for a single country (Iran).

Our arrival in Russia would be around late April. This is not the greatest time for sure but unfortunately to have gorgeous weather all our trip is just impossible with our timing. Cold is on the cards but we're keeping heated gloved fingers crossed that the roads will still be ok to cross the country. So far this seems to be doable people say - but just bloody cold. If this is suicide certainly let us know as currently we're looking forward to the challenge! Alas if its madness with a double entry 3 month Visa this would have to be looked at again.

Cheers!

Yep! But if you remain in Russia, not doing Kaz, a double entry visa will suffice - 90 days if it is a business visa.
I have heard of people getting a multi entry business visa as a 'first' visa - but I don't know how consistent Consulates are throughout the World. Check in your country.

Ukraine and Belarus each require a Visa for Australians but otherwise no problem.
You can enter EU directly at the Russian border with Latvia or Estonia.

Snow and ice could still be possibilities although by then not for prolonged periods.
Other than in some cities, roads are not treated. They rely on ploughs and traffic to keep main roads clear.

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Hi
Bob Erion lives in Seattle USA , the guy in Vladivostok is Yuri Melnikov
ymelnik@links-ltd.com

ph +7 4232 220 887

fax +7 4232 221 578

April sounds a bit cool , maybe ice and snow in shaded areas and loads of mud from the melt in other parts ,
The road can be long and boring, we enjoyed it by taking the time to go out of our way to meet the locals, very friendly ,curious and helpfull.
The road was mainly tarmac, but i believe the winter has taken its toll on the road and now badly potholed, could be a problem if hidden with snow and mud . The non tarmac sections if wet will be as slippery as a banana skin in ice , so take it easy and make your own route, the cars and trucks are not always the best route for a bike.

this is what the majority of the road looked like

the long roads in Siberia - YouTube

A village on the road to Ulan Ude - YouTube

and the odd bit of this





These were filmed in June 2011

Hope this all helps

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Cheers Mr Tony and Mr Bushman. Awesome information that is helping us really knuckle down the plan. Also thanks to the crazy Frenchman! (you know who you are, we will hopefully see you soon)

We're seriously considering (because its such a horrible idea!) of hanging around in south east asia until mid to late May/early June now. Its funny as soon as we rid our selves of the final carnet country idea (Japan) we can be now free until we decide to migrate to Russia. Within the scope of visa runs of course. We will save Japan for a holiday in the future. Huge thanks to all those that replied from the HU Japan community too.

Alas we would also be free of getting a second passport now as we have plenty of time to send it home by courier without worrying about needing it for flying/leaving Japan etc within the 40 days before entry to Russia.

Yeeeehaaaa.

Appreciate the replies to help break up the stale thoughts in my head. The future is clear as my 89 cent pineapple lassi that I'm enduring here in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

Tom yam, monsoons and singha for a little while longer!