Content
- What makes Russian car enthusiasts choose foreign cars in foreign markets?
- Car customs clearance procedure
- Changes in legislation on customs clearance of cars
- Calculation of customs clearance costs
- Recycling fee (US)
- Customs clearance fee
- Customs duty
- Payment for installation of the Era-GLONASS system
- Excise tax
- VAT
- Customs clearance of an electric car
- Customs clearance of cars from Europe and America
- Customs clearance of cars from Armenia and Abkhazia
- Customs clearance of cars from Japan
- Car customs clearance services
Customs clearance of a car is a set of mandatory measures aimed at legalizing the operation of a vehicle imported from abroad into the territory of the Russian Federation. The procedure for customs clearance of a car in Russia is a long, difficult process that takes place under strict control and requires certain knowledge in preparing documentation. Customs tariffs depend on several factors. We can say with confidence that they are quite large and can significantly increase the final cost of the product. And yet, as a rule, a large number of vehicles are imported into Russia every year. According to the Federal Customs Service, in 2021, imports of passenger cars amounted to 243.2 thousand units, trucks – 24.1 thousand units.
How much will you have to pay for recycling fees?
A recycling fee is a payment for the harmful effects of a car on the environment and human health, taking into account its technical characteristics. It can be paid online on the website of Operator of Extended Producer Obligations (EPO) LLP.
The amount depends on the engine size. The formula is: 50 MCI multiplied by the engine displacement coefficient:
- Cars with an engine capacity of up to 1,000 cm3 – 50 MCI (132,550) x 3 (coefficient) = 397,650 tenge.
- Cars with an engine capacity of up to 2,000 cm3 – 50 MCI (132,550) x 7 (coefficient) = 927,850 tenge.
- Cars with an engine capacity of up to 3,000 cm3 – 50 MCI (132,550) x 10 (coefficient) = 1,325,500 tenge.
- Cars with an engine capacity over 3,001 cm3 – 50 MCI (132,550) x 23 (coefficient) = 3,048,650 tenge.
Car customs clearance procedure
The customs clearance scheme for a car in Russia consists of the following mandatory steps:
- Depositing the guarantee amount with the customs authority, obtaining a certificate (before leaving for another country). The deposit amount is calculated based on the cost of the car and its technical characteristics.
- Departure to the desired country and purchase a vehicle there with all the necessary documents.
- Providing the inspector with the entire package of documents upon entry back to Russia.
- Automotive examination. If there are no questions regarding the documents and the car, then an entry permit and a vehicle title are issued, with which you can go for registration at the traffic police. The time allotted for the examination is up to 3 days.
Cars imported into the Russian Federation from another state are subject to requirements that must be taken into account:
- Import and customs clearance of cars is allowed to individuals and legal entities;
- The environmental standard of the car is not lower than EURO-5;
- Mandatory equipment with the ERA-GLONASS system;
- The cost of customs clearance is calculated personally for an individual car;
- An individual is allowed to import no more than 1 car per year for his own needs.
For individuals, lower uniform tariff rates for customs duties are provided. Organizations not only pay duties and fees at an increased rate, but they are also charged VAT and excise taxes.
A package of documents required for presentation during customs clearance of vehicles in the Russian Federation:
- Russian Federation passport, international passport;
- Documents confirming the ownership of the car (sale and purchase agreement, checks, receipts, certificates);
- Car insurance policy;
- Certificate of availability of the GLONASS system;
- Customs deposit certificate;
- Customs declaration in form TD-6;
Insurance is important. The lack of compulsory insurance can be a significant argument for refusal to cross the border, and in some cases even threatens with a fine.
Are there preferential conditions for customs clearance? Some categories of individuals can take advantage of the right to preferential import of vehicles into the territory of the Russian Federation, saving an impressive amount on customs duties:
- Citizens with official refugee status;
- Migrants, i.e. foreigners moving to the Russian Federation for permanent residence for the first time and who bought a car before entering Russia;
- Citizens of the Russian Federation planning to import a car from the Russian automobile industry purchased on the territory of a foreign state;
- Foreign citizens temporarily entering in their own car for a period of no more than 1 year.
Characteristics of the countries of Central Asia
Kyrgyzstan has developed industrial and mining industries. Russia, as well as China and Kazakhstan, are its main trade and economic partners.
Kazakhstan, in comparison with other Central Asian states, remains the richest and most comfortable country. From here Russia imports mainly metals and metal products, mineral products.
The economy of Uzbekistan is based on mining, however, mainly plant products and textiles are imported to Russia.
The economy of Tajikistan is based on the development of the agricultural-industrial sector. Imports from Tajikistan mainly consist of textiles - 93% and only 5% are products of plant origin.
Turkmenistan exports agricultural products and natural resources. Borders on the Caspian Sea.
Afghanistan is the poorest country in Central Asia. The state has an agricultural economy. In the structure of trade turnover with Russia, the largest part is occupied by mineral products and wood.
Changes in legislation on customs clearance of cars
The passage of customs procedures is regulated by:
- Chapter 12 of the Customs Code of the Customs Union (contains a list of necessary documents, a description of the procedure and requirements for the car);
- Article 16 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (describes fines for violating the procedure and deadlines for registration);
- Technical regulations of the CU (fifth appendix).
The following requirements apply to imported vehicles:
- The environmental class of the car is not lower than EURO-5;
- Payment of customs duties and fees is carried out in rubles (you can find out how much customs clearance of a car in Russia costs in each specific case yourself - calculate it using a calculator on specialized websites);
- An individual for his own needs can purchase abroad no more than 1 car per year;
- The vehicle must be equipped with an ERA-GLONASS receiver and transmitter.
Calculation of customs clearance costs
The total cost of customs clearance of a car in Russia consists of:
Recycling fee (US)
BC = BS*K, where BS is the base rate, K is the coefficient.
BS depends on the category of car:
– passenger cars for non-commercial use – 20,000 rubles;
– commercial vehicles (cars and trucks) – RUB 150,000.
The coefficient depends on the age of the car and is for individuals:
– cars under 3 years old – 0.17;
– cars older than 3 years – 0.26.
The coefficient for legal entities also depends on the engine size (shown in the table); the larger the volume, the higher the coefficient:
| Engine capacity | up to 1000 cm3 | from 1000 to 2000 cm3 | from 2000 to 3000 cm3 | from 3000 to 3500 cm3 | over 3500 cm3 | electric cars |
| Cars under 3 years old | 1.65 | 4.2 | 6.3 | 5.73 | 9.08 | 1.63 |
| Cars older than 3 years | 6.15 | 15.69 | 24.01 | 28.5 | 35.01 | 6.1 |
Customs clearance fee
(depends only on the cost of the car)
| Cost of the car, rub. | Cost of registration, rub. |
| up to 200,000 | 775 |
| up to 450,000 | 1 550 |
| up to 1,200,000 | 3 100 |
| up to 2,700,000 | 8 530 |
| up to 4,200,000 | 12 000 |
| up to 5,500,000 | 15 500 |
| up to 7,000,000 | 20 000 |
| up to 8,000,000 | 23 000 |
| up to 9,000,000 | 25 000 |
| up to 10,000,000 | 27 000 |
| over 10,000,000 | 30 000 |
Customs duty
(depends on the price of the car, engine power, year of manufacture, type of fuel)
Customs duty on cars under 3 years old (for individuals):
| Car cost | up to 8500 euros | up to 16,700 euros | up to 42300 euros | up to 84500 euros | up to 169,000 euros | over 169,000 euros |
| Customs duty | 54%, but not less than 2.5 euro/cm3 | 48%, but not less than 3.5 euro/cm3 | 48%, but not less than 5.5 euro/cm3 | 48%, but not less than 7.5 euro/cm3 | 48%, but not less than 15 euro/cm3 | 48%, but not less than 20 euro/cm3 |
Customs duty on cars older than 3 years (for individuals):
| Engine capacity | up to 1000 cm3 | from 1001 to 1500 cm3 | from 1501 to 1800 cm3 | from 1801 to 2300 cm3 | from 2301 to 3000 cm3 | over 3001 cm3 |
| from 3 to 5 years | 1.5 euro/cm3 | 1.7 euro/cm3 | 2.5 euro/cm3 | 2.7 euro/cm3 | 3 euro/cm3 | 3.6 euro/cm3 |
| over 5 years old | 3 euro/cm3 | 3.2 euro/cm3 | 3.5 euro/cm3 | 4.8 euro/cm3 | 5 euro/cm3 | 5.7 euro/cm3 |
Customs duty on cars with a gasoline engine (for legal entities):
| Engine capacity | up to 1000 cm3 | from 1001 to 1500 cm3 | from 1501 to 1800 cm3 | from 1801 to 2300 cm3 | from 2301 to 3000 cm3 | over 3001 cm3 |
| up to 3 years | 15% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 12.5% |
| from 3 to 5 years | 20%, but not less than 0.36 euro/cm3 | 20%, but not less than 0.4 euro/cm3 | 20%, but not less than 0.36 euro/cm3 | 20%, but not less than 0.44 euro/cm3 | 20%, but not less than 0.44 euro/cm3 | 20%, but not less than 0.8 euro/cm3 |
| from 5 to 7 years | 20%, but not less than 0.36 euro/cm3 | 20%, but not less than 0.4 euro/cm3 | 20%, but not less than 0.36 euro/cm3 | 20%, but not less than 0.44 euro/cm3 | 20%, but not less than 0.44 euro/cm3 | 20%, but not less than 0.8 euro/cm3 |
| from 7 years | 1.4 euro/cm3 | 1.5 euro/cm3 | 1.6 euro/cm3 | 2.2 euro/cm3 | 2.2 euro/cm3 | 3.2 euro/cm3 |
Customs duty on cars with a diesel engine (for legal entities):
| Engine capacity | up to 1500 cm3 | from 1501 to 2500 cm3 | 2501 cm3 and above |
| up to 3 years | 15% | 15% | 15% |
| from 3 to 5 years | 20%, but not less than 0.32 euro/cm3 | 20%, but not less than 0.4 euro/cm3 | 20%, but not less than 0.8 euro/cm3 |
| from 5 to 7 years | 20%, but not less than 0.32 euro/cm3 | 20%, but not less than 0.4 euro/cm3 | 20%, but not less than 0.8 euro/cm3 |
| from 7 years | 1.5 euro/cm3 | 2.2 euro/cm3 | 3.2 euro/cm3 |
Payment for installation of the Era-GLONASS system
To obtain a vehicle passport for a car, it is necessary to install Era-GLONASS equipment - an emergency call system for rescue services. It doesn’t matter whether the car is new, purchased from an official dealer, or used and brought from abroad. If the car does not initially have a GLONASS system, then you will have to pay about 30,000 rubles for its installation.
Excise tax
(only legal entities pay, depends on engine power)
| Engine power | Excise tax rate |
| up to 90 hp | 0 rub. for 1 hp |
| 91 – 150 hp | 49 rub. for 1 hp |
| 151 – 200 hp | 472 rub. for 1 hp |
| 201 – 300 hp | 773 rub. for 1 hp |
| 301 – 400 hp | 1317 rub. for 1 hp |
| 401 – 500 hp | 1363 rub. for 1 hp |
| over 501 hp | 1408 rub. for 1 hp |
VAT
(only legal entities pay)
Calculated as 20% of the amount: cost of the vehicle + customs duty + excise tax.
It is convenient to calculate the duty amount in a special online customs calculator.
How much will it cost to temporarily register a car?
The amount of initial registration depends not only on the size of the monthly calculation index, but also on the age of the car. Payment for the service is made at the cash desk of the Specialized Public Service Center. Initial registration of new cars is cheap, but older cars are more expensive:
- up to two years (years of manufacture 2018-2019) – 0.25 MCI (662 tenge);
- from two to three years (2017-2018 production) – 50 MCI (132,550 tenge);
- older than three years (year of manufacture 2016 and earlier) – 500 MCI (1,325,500 tenge).
The fee for producing a technical passport will cost 1.25 MCI (3,313 tenge). Two duplicates of a regular license plate cost 2.8 MCI (7,422 tenge).
Customs clearance of cars from Europe and America
The culture of owning a car in the USA implies replacing it after 2-3 years of use. In addition, Americans do not repair their cars, but sell them immediately, even after a minor accident. Therefore, Russian motorists can profitably purchase vehicles at American car auctions (an online platform where trading takes place). This is the fastest way to buy an inexpensive car. Even after transportation and customs clearance, the price of a car from America will be 25-30% lower than in our market. The interest of the European car market lies in the large selection of French and German models that are not represented on the domestic market.
Customs clearance of cars from Armenia and Abkhazia
Abkhazia is one of the few countries with low customs rates for car imports. Therefore, prices for cars from America, Europe and Asian countries are lower there than in Russia. Having bought a car in Abkhazia, the Russian owner needs to register the import of the vehicle into the Russian Federation. There are no benefits or simplified schemes for importing cars into our country from Abkhazia. But delivering a car from sunny Abkhazia to Russia is much easier than from the USA or Europe.
Armenia is part of the Eurasian Economic Union. Most of the fees for customs clearance of cars imported from Armenia have been cancelled. The cost of customs clearance of a car from Armenia is determined by the period of delivery of this vehicle to Armenia:
- The car was imported before October 10, 2014. There is no need to pay additional customs duty. It is enough to pay the recycling fee and other expenses.
- The car was imported 10/10/2014-01/01/2020. It is necessary to pay a considerable amount, equal to the difference between the duty paid in Armenia and the current one in Russia. Plus recycling fee and GLONASS confirmation.
- The car was imported after 01/01/2020. No additional payment is needed, since all duties in Armenia are brought to the EAEU standard. It is enough to pay the recycling fee and provide certificates to GLONASS.
How to temporarily solve the problem of car owners with foreign license plates
On January 24, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, speaking at an extended meeting of the Government, ordered the temporary registration of cars imported from the EAEU countries. He emphasized that the action was one-time.
“Registration for these vehicles will be valid until March 1, 2021. Such cars must meet the requirements of technical regulations, and they must pay a registration fee and state duty. Temporary registration must be carried out without the right of alienation and transfer of rights of use and disposal to other persons,” he said.
Car customs clearance services
To fully operate a vehicle imported from another state, it is necessary to go through the entire customs clearance procedure clearly and accurately. The car owner can, of course, go through this thorny path himself. However, customs professionals will help you save a lot of time, nerves and money. The group provides a full range of services for customs clearance of cars from different countries. Qualified specialists and extensive experience of the company guarantee prompt customs clearance of any type of equipment in compliance with all formalities.
This site is for informational purposes only and under no circumstances constitutes a public offer.
Management of non-customs cleared vehicles
Any car brought from abroad must be registered at a customs point within 24 hours, only after which the owner of the vehicle has the right to drive it on the roads of Russia. Otherwise, the car is considered smuggled goods and is subject to confiscation.
A general power of attorney from a citizen of another country will not help in driving a car. This document simply will not have legal force. Only the owner of a vehicle that has not cleared customs can drive a vehicle. It is strictly prohibited for another person to drive the vehicle!
