Vladivostok customs clearance for Eastern Dream

There is currently one ferry that operates between Russia and Korea, and that is the Eastern Dream ferry run by DBS ferry (DBSFerry.com), based in Korea. The ferry leaves from Vladivostok at 2pm on Tuesdays. Taking a car costs $600 to $700, and then the ticket runs $100 to $160 (sans car, the ticket price is evidently higher). There are additional port fees (around $30, I think). Note, the ferry continues to Japan after stopping in Donghae, Korea.

My question is the following. Vladivostok evidently does things differently from every other ferry I've been on and treats cars as cargo, meaning that they need a special customs clearance process. Does anyone know the process that ones goes through WITHOUT paying for a customs broker to do it for you? (I understand that the process involves filling out several forms - I'd like to find out what forms, and the order in which they are to be turned in). To be specific, for a non Russian citizen with his own, foreign plated vehicle.

Best Answer

There is very little information about driving a car from Korea to Russia on Ferry.

There is much better information about going in the opposite direction (though in Russian only)

But you can look at Customs Expert (Russian) website regarding the temporary import and export of the vehicles to Russia. The gist of which boils down to you will need a Passenger Declaration Form, which allows you to list the vehicles you're bringing over, documents proving your identity, registration and proof of ownership, and you will need insurance for the duration of your stay (Russian).

Personally if you're already paying (too much IMHO) to put your car on a ship to Vladivostok I would spend a little extra for a customs broker but you can try it yourself or as Korean visit information (Russian) states you may get some help from the Ferry company in filling out the documents for $150.