22.09.2005
Expensive gas and cheap visas encouraging motorists to go to Russia

from Helsingin Sanomat

When fuel prices in Finland rose to a record high, and concurrently, the charge for a multiple-entry visa to Russia went down by 50% (to EUR 100), the rally across the border to get a tankful of cheap Russian gasoline accelerated. Recently, a large number of visa applications have been filed, and the majority of the applicants have stated gasoline tourism as their reason for trips.

The waiting period for a visa is four to six weeks, and consequently, a real rush is likely to start in two or three weeks.

On the other hand, the flow of motorists in search of cheap fuel is already now moving steadily across the Finnish border crossing at Vaalimaa.

Currently, it definitely pays to cross into Russia if you happen to live near the border. For example, Petteri Koskimies, living near Hamina, paid a mere EUR 40 for 73 litres of 95E. "This is a cheap hobby", he said.

The most frequent gas tourists are already recognised at the border, and a customs official confirms that some of them cross the border "several times a day".

Because a motorist is allowed to bring only a tankful of gasoline and diesel in his or her car, and additionally a ten-litre spare canister, it is obvious that gasoline and diesel are also being set aside in stores for future use or even for illicit trade.

According to the law, a person is allowed to keep a store of just 60 litres in his or her garage. For safety reasons, it is not permitted to store gasoline in joint garages, car parks, or in the basements of apartment buildings.

Some Russians apparently finance their shopping trips by selling gasoline. Finns buy it from Russian truck drivers and sell it to other motorists in Finland.

Russia does not belong to the so-called "Green Card" countries, and hence Finnish compulsory third-party insurance is not valid across the border. Thus Finns driving in Russia must be in possession of valid Russian insurance cover.

In the last few years, the introduction of this compulsory insurance charge has somewhat curbed the enthusiasm for crossing over the border to fill up.

In South-Eastern Finland, rumour has it that Russia would soon join the "Green Card" countries. According to Director Janne Jumppanen of the Finnish Motor Insurers´ Centre, the rumour is not true. "Russia has been negotiating the issue, but no changes are to be expected in the near future".

While most "petrol visas" have been applied for in the municipalities close to the border, some gas tourists come even from Kouvola, Kotka and Lovisa, which are as far as 100 kilometres away.

Many car dealers claim that the fuel bought across the eastern border can damage cars. Consequently, their warranty documents also state that the fuel used has to be up to the standards for the warranty to hold.

"The newer the car, the bigger the problem", it is said. One tankful of the wrong kind of fuel can damage the motor of a new car, while old cars are not that sensitive. Russian diesel does not have the same problem.

Even the Finnish Consumer Complaints Board has issued a statement, according to which the car dealer is not liable to pay damages if the motorist has used the wrong kind of fuel.

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