Russia:Customs
From Skipper2Skipper
Clearance
Foreign yachts must arrive with visas for each crew member obtained in advance and landfall must be made at one of the ports specified in the visa(Not that important as far as the ports of the Eastern Part of the Gulf of Finland are concerned). Either a hosting club or some other institution must supply an official invitation. Yachts may be intercepted by a patrol boat on entering territorial waters. If such a vessel does not answer calls on VHF Channel 16, one should try Channel 10, which is their normal working channel.
Yachts should be attentive as to where they enter Russian territorial waters. In the Finnish Gulf it is recommended to follow the Sea Channel and cross the territorial water line between Gogland (Hochland) Island and Moshniy. Most yachts clearing our of Finland at Haapasaari Island normally cross the territorial water line between Gogland and Sommers Islands. At this point one should attempt to raise the authorities on VHF Channel 16. Unless instructed otherwise, one should proceed to the terminal at Kronstadt for clearance. Some yachts have been fined for entering Russian territorial waters in a non-approved place. It is forbidden to stop at any of the islands in Russian waters. Sheltering from bad weather is not considered a valid reason. It was mentioned at one of the meetings of the St.Petersburg Coast Guard with the local yachtsmen that sheltering from “real” bad weather would be considered a valid reason. The Biorkesund Passage is also closed to yachts at present. There is pressure on the authorities to open both Gogland Island and the Biorkesund Passage to yachts, which would save some sea miles.
The alternative entry point into Russia is from Finland via the Saimaa Canal. Here one can clear in at Vyborg or Brusnichnoye and proceed to St Petersburg via Vysozk. This route, which is used by Finnish boats, has been reported as being simpler and with less red tape.
Foreign vessels must clear in and out with both frontier guard, customs and immigration in all ports of entry. No one must leave the boat until formalities have been completed; officials will come to the boat. Foreign vessels are required to notify the authorities in the next port one intends to visit three days in advance, with a crew list, boat details and purpose of visit.(Not that important any longer as the foreign club`s Honorary Representatives in Russia(like myself, Vlad.Ivankiv)/or an agent is expected to provide the authorities with such info anyway).
Vessels which seek shelter or stop in ports not mentioned in the visa may have difficulties. If wishing to stop at a port where there are no officials, permission to do so and clearance must be obtained from the nearest port of entry.
The authorities must be notified 24 hours in advance of departure.
Immigration
On arrival, yachts do not have to stop at Fort Konstantin, Kronshtadt for Passport Control any longer. They are expected to go directly to the Passenger Sea Terminal for clearing Customs/Immigration.
All nationalities must obtain a visa in advance. There are convenient Russian diplomatic missions in Helsinki, Nicosia (Cyprus) and Istanbul, where visas can be obtained. It is recommended to apply for a visa at the consulate where one will receive the visa, and not to try to pick it up from another consulate as the various bureaucratic formalities may differ from one place to another and often change. The consulate will advise what they require. Yachts arriving without visas for all crew members may be turned away. Difficulties will also be encountered if there are any irregularities at all with one's passport or visa - for example, if either is past its expiry date. The visa is a separate document which lists the places for which one has been given permission to visit, and the dates of one's stay. One should apply for a business or invited guest visa as this kind of visa allows for a greater flexibility in the matter of the timing of one's arrival. This type of visa is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the consulates come under the wing of this Ministry also. Tourist visas are issued by the OVIR department in the Ministry of Home Affairs, and it is not recommended to try and obtain one of these as it takes longer. Such visas are usually very restricted in dates, as they are meant for air travellers on prearranged holidays.
To get the visa it is necessary to have an official invitation endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and issued by one of the organisations such as yacht clubs or agencies that have an agreement with the Ministry. The first step is to fax the yacht club or agency copies of the main pages of the passports of all crew members, also giving full details of the yacht as well as the intended itinerary, mentioning each intended port of call, including ETA and ETD. The yacht club will have to pay the Ministry for authorising the invitations, so one should not waste their time and money if one is not serious about visiting Russia.
The St Petersburg Central River Yacht Club has an agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is probably the best to contact.
Registration: Following the move away from tourist to business visa by sailors visiting Russia, the department of visas and registration of foreigners (OVIR) of the Ministry of Home Affairs has started insisting that all foreigners must register with them and pay a fee. The yacht clubs are trying to do this in the same way that hotels do to save visitors the nuisance of finding an OVIR office and paying this fee, but one should be prepared to add this to the list of fees to be paid. Customs
Firearms must be declared and may be detained during the yacht's stay in port. There are no restrictions on animals. On arrival yachts will also be asked to declare foreign currency, narcotics, pornography, gold and silver. Fees
The consular fee for the visa depends on how quickly one wants it and can vary from between US$ 80 and 150. Harbour fees and agent fees can be very high.
Harbour fees: Central River YC – 1,0 to 2,0Euro per meter per night depenting on the quality of the berth; Sea YC – 2.5 Euro per meter per night.
