Conduct and Travel
at the Norwegian - Russian Border

 

The Norwegian-Russian Border

The surveillance of the border between Norway and Russia is carried out on both sides by military border units. Both countries´ border units are under instructions to ensure that the Border Agreement, 29 December 1949, is observed. Non compliance with the regulations by which the Agreement is bound, may lead to prosecution.
Border surveillance.


People living or travelling in the border area, are requested to strictly observe the regulations and behave in such a manner that any violations, conflicts or other episodes at the border can be avoided. The Norwegian-Russian border may only be crossed at the Storskog Border Checkpoint.

Norwegian and Russian border poles.
 Marking of the border
The Norwegian-Russian border is marked by posts in pairs opposite each other. On the Norwegian side the posts are yellow with a black hat. On the Russian side
the posts have red and green panels one above the other.

Where the border passes overland, the posts are standing 4 m apart, and the borderline is midway between the posts.

Where the border is formed by rivers, the posts stand on the banks of the rivers and the borderline follows as a rule the deepest channel.

Fishing in the border rivers
It is allowed to fish up to the borderline on condition one is aware of, and complies with the regulations which apply to fishing on the Norwegian side of the Pasvik River and the Grense Jakobs River. Only Norwegian subjects may fish in the Pasvik River. Only persons who have had permanent residence in Norway during the past year (and are still residing here), may fish in the Grense Jakobs River.

The Pasvik River
Navigation in border rivers
Craft to be used in border rivers have to be registered with the Norwegian Border Commissioner. Registration plates must be fitted on the craft, and must be
clearly visible. Craft may only be used in borderrivers during the hours of daylight. In the narrow parts of the Pasvik River, a craft is entitled to follow the main course without hindrance (even though the borderline does not follow it), on condition it is only passing through the Russian part of the river.
During the summer half-year, certain areas of the Pasvik River have yellow buoys which mark the borderline. Some rocks and shoals are also marked with black buoys.
The Norwegian border authorities can not guarantee that all shoals and rocks are marked, and it is urged that anyone navigating in the border areas
be aware of the varying water levels.
There are shallow waters in Pasvik River between the following border posts:

- between border posts 14 and 17,
- between border posts 20 and 50,
- between border posts 58 and 62,
- between border posts 80 and 90,
- between border posts 94 and 101,
- between border posts 122 and 144,
- between border posts 158 and 165,
- between border posts 187 and 191.		  

 

Conduct at the border

It is prohibited to:

  • cross the borderline by land, water or air.
  • intentially make contact with, or act in an insulting manner towards persons on the other side of the border.
  • throw items across the borderline.
  • photograph Russian military installations, material or personnel.



Penalties
Pursuant to the Border Agreement, the police and the border authorities can make an on-the-spot search of persons suspected of violating the regulations regarding
conduct at the border. They may also confiscate any weapons/ammunition, cameras/films used in con-travention of the existing regulations. Any violations
of the regulations or contribution to such, whether intentional or unintentional, may be penalized by fines/imprisonment. Any attempts at violations will be punished as if they had been carried out.

Further information may be obtained from:

 

 

The Norwegian Border Commissioner
(tel. 78 99 57 90)
E-mail: firmapost@grensekom.no

Øst-Finnmark Police District
(tel. 78 97 20 00)

Nyrud Police Station
(tel. 78 99 55 16)

The Garrison in Sør-Varanger
(tel. 78 99 40 00)
or the nearest military border station.

Our main building in the centre of Kirkenes.

Norges Grensekommissær for
den norsk - russiske grense
Egebergsgate 6
9900 KIRKENES

Telefon : 78 99 57 90
Telefax : 78 99 57 92
E-post:post.grensekom@politiet.no
Org Nr : 971 579 196