I am going back to UK to buy a car, get my stuff, and coming back to Bucharest, Romania, at the middle of this month.
The easiest and shortest route is via Cz,Slovakia,Lvov and Chernitvtsi (Ukraine) - this is so that I avoid the Carpath mountains which are a nightmare to drive across becuase of the all trucks on that road that go between Budapest and Bucharest/Sofia/Istanbul.
When I go through the Ukraine border with personal belongings do I need to pay anything (officially or unofficially) when I am transiting?
why not do a right at Kosice, go down to Hungary, and then do a left into the top left corner of Romania and straight along there. I dont know if there are any roads there or not though. Guess there must be. Why you coming back to get your car anyway? Cant you buy one there?
I am collecting my personal belongings and buying a Jaguar X type at the same time. It is easier and cheaper in UK to find that sort of car.
I often drive the road in Romania to the corner of Hungary and Ukrania. It is very busy and in various states of repair so it takes 12 hours to get Bucharest. From Moldova/Ukraine border it takes max 6.5 hours (I often do that route as well).
if your taking personal belongings into FSU, you ahve to be careful what you take, the main things is to keep valuables well hidden, and dependent on the official, that stops you and their demeannor unofficial bribes can be used. The main thing to note is use USD for this transaction. Small bills usually the best from $10 - $20 bills.
belive it or not most of teh time its unneeded around many major crossing points its usually around the minor scenic crossing points as the lvl of law enforcement is usually higher at well traveled routes and nowadays is handled by well paid officials.
When travelling within countries a translator or fsu national as company is normal and generally when you take this step problems hardly ever arise.