Stages and terms of customs clearance of import of commercial cargo

To submit a declaration, it is necessary to determine the code of the commodity nomenclature of foreign economic activity (TN FEA) of the product, fill out the declaration, and also provide all permitting documentation. The latter depends on what kind of goods are being cleared through customs. In most cases, a regular certificate of conformity is sufficient (if you are not carrying children's, medical, food, or “complex goods” that must undergo mandatory certification).

How to pay? First, customs duties are paid, then VAT, then customs duties. If you are an excise company, then you will have to add excise duty to all of the above.

Content

• When is it worth importing a car from abroad?
• How to clear a car through customs
• Customs clearance procedure
• What determines the amount of customs duty?
• Calculation of customs clearance costs
• Features of importing an electric vehicle
• Customs clearance of a car from Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia
• Customs clearance of cars from the USA and Europe
• How much does it cost to clear a car from Japan through customs?
• "Autocode" for customs cleared cars

In 2021 (from January to October), according to the Federal Customs Service, more than 185 thousand cars and almost 18 thousand trucks were imported into Russia from abroad. Why do Russians bother so much and go to other countries to buy a car? Together with a customs clearance expert, we will figure out what are the advantages of moving a vehicle, from which countries it is more profitable to import cars, and how to properly carry out customs clearance.

Foreign trade with China

China is the most important trading partner for the Russian Federation. For several years now, trade turnover between our countries has only been growing. In 2019, it grew by 2.43% and totaled almost $111 billion. The trade balance was positive, but decreased by 30% compared to the previous year.

Cargo exports from the Russian Federation to China increased by 1.3% compared to 2018 – $1.9 billion. The main share of cargo to China fell on the following categories: mineral products, timber, food products, machinery.

In turn, imports of goods from China to the Russian Federation increased by 3.66%. The most popular industries and cargoes in China are: machinery and equipment, metals, textiles and chemical products.

China ranks first in terms of trade turnover with our state and is our most important trading partner in the world.

Recently, due to the pandemic, the demand for cargo such as medical masks, protective equipment and medical products from China has increased.

When is it worth importing a car from abroad?

It is worth moving a car from another country for several reasons:

• if you want to save money on buying an imported car;
• get a reliable car from the manufacturing country;
• purchase a rare model that is difficult to buy in Russia.

It seems that bringing a car from abroad is simple. I bought it and returned with the long-awaited new thing to Russia (or brought it with the help of an intermediary).

In fact, you will have to go through several stages of customs clearance, otherwise you will not be able to register the car with the traffic police, and therefore not use it in our country either.

Alena Khotmirova, customs clearance expert:

– Not so long ago, the business of transporting cars from abroad, clearing them through customs and then selling them on the territory of the Russian Federation was a very profitable business. In recent years, due to increased customs duties, importing cars from abroad does not bring significant profits. And compliance with all formalities during customs clearance (insurance, GLONASS, etc.) can be difficult.

For illegal movement across the Russian border, a fine of three times the price of the car is provided. The most severe punishment faces transporters who evade paying customs duties (if we are talking about non-payment of 1 million rubles or more). Here you can already earn a half-million dollar fine or go to jail for up to two years.

It is worth bringing from abroad only what is profitable. These are used cars from three to five years old, for which a minimum customs duty is established. Consider cars with an engine capacity of up to 1,800 cubic meters; they also offer loyal payments. Relocating more powerful vehicles older than seven years is considered the most expensive.

Alena Khotmirova, customs clearance expert:

— Considering that the import duty depends on the year of manufacture of the car, it is now most profitable to import cars that are 3-5 years old. At the same time, choose those manufacturers who do not have production facilities in our country, but are popular among car enthusiasts.

Also read: Review of sites for selling used cars: pros and cons for sellers

How to arrange supplies of goods from China

You can purchase goods from Chinese manufacturers 2-3 times cheaper than from Russian wholesalers. But working with foreign suppliers is a complex transaction from first contact to customs clearance and currency control.

We tell you how to arrange supplies from China and start making money from it. The article contains examples from the practice of foreign economic activity in Delobank.

1. Choose a tax regime for working with China

It would seem that you need to start with searching and checking suppliers. But no. First of all, it is important to assess tax risks. Importers pay VAT for every product from abroad. Patent, imputation or simplification - it doesn’t matter. All entrepreneurs pay tax.

In the general taxation system (OSNO) and in the simplified “income – expenses” system, VAT can be deducted. This is how entrepreneurs legally reduce taxes. In other tax regimes this cannot be done, so the cost of goods simply increases by 20%.

For example, Sergey decided to buy smartphones in China for 1 million rubles and sell them in Russia for 1.5 million rubles. He works on a simplified basis and pays 6% of income. Sergey thought that he would pay only 100 thousand rubles for delivery with customs clearance, and calculated the net profit as follows: 1,500,000 from sales - 1,000,000 for purchases - 100,000 for delivery = 400,000 rubles. Not a bad profit.

But it came as a surprise to Sergei that even with the simplified tax system, VAT must be paid for imported goods, but it cannot be deducted. As a result, each smartphone cost 20% more, and the entrepreneur earned 200 thousand rubles less.

Before importing goods from China, try to calculate how much taxes you will have to pay under your tax regime. Consider the entire turnover, not just imports. It may be more profitable to pay VAT on imported goods, and pay only 6% on other income. And if not, then it is better to switch to OSNO or the simplified “income - expenses” in advance.

It will not be possible to quickly change the tax regime. For example, switching from the simplified tax system to OSNO is allowed only from January 1 of the next year. If you decide to buy goods in China, and it’s still May or June, it’s better to start working with small quantities or continue working with Russian wholesalers. And starting next year you will be able to purchase goods directly from China.

2. Find Chinese suppliers online

To find Chinese manufacturers, it is not necessary to go to markets and exhibitions in China. Here are three ways to find suppliers online:

1. Wholesale B2B platforms. These are aggregators of wholesale orders that work on a principle similar to Aliexpress. The most famous are Alibaba (owner of Aliexpress), DHgate and Global Sources. The sites contain supplier directories, reviews and personal messages. They will help you find trusted companies and contact them directly.

Wholesale platforms are a good option for entrepreneurs who are just starting to import goods from China. There is no need to conduct long negotiations, and the site will take responsibility in case of problems with delivery or payment.

2. Supplier catalogs. Catalogs help you find the right manufacturer by type of product or industry. For example, Check In China is a directory of 20 million companies in Russian. The website contains contacts and websites of manufacturers. If you wish, you can check the company using Chinese state registers for a fee.

3. Sites of product exhibitions. There are many B2B exhibitions in China where manufacturers display products. Exhibition websites contain photos and descriptions of products, information about the manufacturer and his contacts. For example, you can search for suppliers on the websites of the Canton Fair or the Hong Kong Trade Council.

Important. Don't confuse Alibaba and Aliexpress. Aliexpress is a retail platform. Sellers work on the principle of “one product for one buyer.” The buyer's participation in the transaction is minimal: he only chooses the delivery method and pays. The rest is up to the seller and Aliexpress.

Alibaba is a wholesale trading platform. Suppliers work on the principle of “many goods for one buyer.” The buyer here is not just an extra: he communicates with the supplier, deals with customs clearance and is responsible for delivery throughout Russia. But wholesale prices on Alibaba are 30%, 40% and even 60% lower than on Aliexpress.

3. Check the status and documents of the supplier

You need to check the reliability of Chinese suppliers in stages: first, publicly available information, then from official sources. This way you can weed out unscrupulous Chinese without deeply checking the company’s documents: this will save you time and effort.

Here's how Chinese suppliers are verified (four steps):

Step 1. Look for reviews about the supplier on the Internet. For example, look at reviews on company profiles on Alibaba, DHgate or Tradesparq: they have easy searches and detailed information about each company. It’s also worth looking into the “blacklists” of Chinese suppliers. This way you will avoid unscrupulous counterparties.

On Alibaba and DHgate you can check the supplier by account status. There are three statuses:

1. Assessed Supplier, or “verified customer”. The aggregator conducted an audit of the company: checked documents, visited production and evaluated the products. Prices from such suppliers are 15-20% higher, but you can definitely trust them.
2. Gold Supplier, or “golden customer”. The aggregator checked the supplier’s documents and confirmed that he has a real office. This is a paid status, it costs from $1,400. Gold Supplier is not a 100% confirmation of reliability, but at least an indicator that the supplier values ​​​​its reputation.
3. Verified Supplier. The aggregator checked the company using Chinese state registers, but did not conduct a detailed audit. Such companies will have to be checked independently.

Step 2: Request legal documents. Here is the required package of documents for each exporter under Chinese law:

• business license;
• certificate of registration;
• export license;
• a document confirming the powers of the director;
• product quality certificate.

This list is approved by the General Regulations of Civil Law of the People's Republic of China and the Law of the People's Republic of China "On Companies".

If the supplier insists that the product is one and only, ask for a trademark registration certificate and a patent registration certificate.

There are suppliers who are ready to provide documents only after concluding an agreement or payment. It is better not to continue the dialogue with such people.

Step 3. Check documents. China's government registers are maintained only in Chinese. Therefore, you can check documents in two ways:

1. With the help of legal translators. They will study the company's documents and check against the registers of the Office of State Supervision of Markets and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
2. Through services for checking Chinese counterparties. For example, you can contact Check in China or the branch of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China. A complete verification of documents costs from 7 thousand rubles.

The main features that distinguish reliable Chinese companies are the size of the authorized capital and staff. If the registered capital is more than 500 thousand yuan, and the staff has more than 10 employees, most likely the company is running a real business. A lawyer or verification service will see this information in extracts from state registers.

Step 4. Order product samples. This way you can check the quality of the products. For example, on Alibaba or DHgate you can make a test order of several samples on behalf of an individual. It will be comparable to buying on Aliexpress. If you find a supplier outside of online platforms, ask him to send several goods by mail or courier service.

4. Negotiate with the supplier and conclude an agreement

Before paying for a shipment of goods, you need to conclude an agreement with the supplier. It is compiled in two languages: Chinese and Russian. The contract should not be a legal fiction: include in it all the conditions on which you managed to agree with the supplier.

Negotiating agreements with Chinese counterparties is more difficult than with European ones due to special business etiquette in China. The Chinese like to build business relationships on trust in their business partners. If the Chinese supplier does not trust you, he will deceive you with a clear conscience - this is unpleasant.

To avoid being left in the awkward position of a deceived buyer, build relationships in the world of Chinese business culture. Here are the techniques that will help you quickly find a common language with the Chinese:

1. Tell your partner that you have heard good reviews about his business and products. For example, tell us about the reviews of Chinese buyers - the opinion of their fellow citizens is more important for the Chinese than buyers from Europe.
2. Don't talk about shortcomings openly. It is important for Chinese businessmen to “save face” in the eyes of buyers. It’s better to tell us in personal correspondence: the Chinese will most likely try to correct the mistakes.
3. Don't refuse offers outright. The Chinese perceive direct refusal as an insult. Politely offer your terms or take time to think about the offer.
4. Praise the supplier on online platforms or social networks. For example, write a positive review on Alibaba, Facebook or Weibo. Chinese manufacturers are monitoring all reviews.

If you buy on wholesale online platforms from trusted suppliers, negotiations fade into the background. On wholesale platforms everything is simpler:

1. place an order through the website,
2. agree with the supplier on the details: payment and delivery procedures,
3. conclude a standard agreement according to the site form,
4. waiting for the goods to be delivered.

The electronic platform assumes obligations to protect the transaction and process the payment. Therefore, sellers communicate little with buyers and agree only on the details of the transaction. Due to the large flow of customers, they are accustomed to Russians, so there is no need to look for a special approach to Chinese suppliers.

5. Pay the goods to the supplier

The main rule of payment: advance payment before sending from China, the rest of the amount after receipt in Russia. The advance should not exceed 50%, but Chinese partners agree to work for 30%. If the supplier asks to pay 100% of the goods at once, there is a risk of running into scammers. It is better to refuse such “partners” before concluding a deal.

A separate case is payment on electronic platforms. They work on a 100% prepayment basis, but the platform itself acts as the guarantor of the obligation. In order not to worry about your money, use secure payments. For example, Alibaba has a Secure Payment feature. When paying, the money is not transferred immediately, but is frozen in the account until delivery is confirmed.

You need to transfer money from a current account in foreign currency - it is opened in addition to a ruble account (for example, in Delobank it is free). To replenish a foreign currency account, you need to buy currency from a ruble account.

Important. It is better to choose the dollar or euro as the payment currency. This will help avoid double conversion when transferring to a RMB account.

Transfers in foreign currency are not included in standard rates and are paid separately. If you want to work with China, it is better to open an account with a bank that has low fees for currency transfers. For example, in Delobank the commission for any transfer is 20 dollars or euros. And if the payment amount is more than 13 thousand dollars or euros, then 0.15% of the amount.

5. Organize delivery from China to the warehouse and go through customs control

Delivery of goods consists of three stages: sending a consignment of goods from China, customs clearance in Russia and delivery to the buyer.

Shipment of goods from China

The supplier must ship goods from China. You will have to pay for this, but sometimes the price is already included in the price of the product. Discuss with the supplier how to ship the goods: by plane, ship, train or truck. The cheapest and slowest way is by ship, the fastest and most expensive is by plane.

If the supplier does not agree to send the cargo on his own, even at your expense, it is better to look for another counterparty. Yes, his goods will be cheaper, but the costs of logistics within China will not justify the savings and will add headaches.

To control delivery, you can contact a logistics company. She will contact the supplier, clarify the method and time of delivery, and request documents for customs.

Advice. Use the services of one logistics company. She will accompany the goods from the supplier to customs, and after clearance, she will take them to your warehouse. For example, a batch of 100 smartphones will be delivered for about 60 thousand rubles.

Customs clearance of goods from China

When a consignment of goods enters Russia, it is checked at a customs point at the airport, train station or port. Customs assigns goods a code according to the HS classifier and sends them to temporary storage warehouses if the owner of the cargo has not collected it in two or three days.

The goods will remain in the warehouse for free for two to three days, and then storage will cost on average from 500 to 1,500 rubles per day. The price depends on the space the product takes up during storage. The average price per square meter of a warehouse is 40-45 rubles per square meter. If a whole truck with goods is sent to the warehouse, you will have to pay 4-5 thousand rubles per day.

To pick up goods from customs or a warehouse, you need to “clear it through customs”: provide documents and pay a fee. The documents you will need are: customs declaration, contract, goods and transport invoices, payments for goods.

Customs brokers help you get through customs. They contact suppliers, request information and documents on goods, fill out a declaration, pay duties and clear customs clearance.

Advice. A list of licensed brokers is available on the website of the Federal Customs Service. Broker services cost from 15 to 30 thousand rubles per shipment of goods. If you use brokers through logistics companies, it will be a little cheaper.

The duty ranges from 0 to 25%. You can view the duty rates in Resolution No. 1156.

Delivery of goods to the buyer in Russia

The customs service checks the declaration from 2 to 4 hours. If everything is in order with the documents, the broker receives written permission. In case of refusal, the broker will correct the documents and provide a new declaration within 10 business days.

Both the buyer and the logistics company can receive goods from the warehouse. The main thing is to have documents for the goods and customs permission.

6. Go through currency control after paying for the goods to the Chinese supplier

Currency control is the accounting of a contract with a foreign counterparty in a Russian bank. The procedure is mandatory only in cases where the contract amount is more than 3 million rubles.

To pass control, you need to upload a copy of the agreement in the Internet bank. Bank employees will check and register the agreement. Banks charge from 0.15% to 0.3% of the contract amount for this service. At Delobank, the fee for currency control is a minimum of 0.15%.

Important. You should not split a contract worth more than 3 million rubles into small contracts. This is a violation of currency legislation and is subject to a fine - from 75% to 100% of the contract amount.

If the amount is less than 3 million rubles, the bank will only request a certificate of supporting documents. It is filled out according to the Bank of Russia form. Indicate in the certificate all documents related to the transaction: agreement, invoices, declarations. You just need to upload the certificate and copies of documents to the Internet bank.

The certificate must be provided within 15 working days from the date of transfer of money to the supplier. There is no need to provide a certificate if the payment amount under the agreement is less than 200 thousand rubles.

Delobank specialists will advise on any issues related to foreign trade activities. They will help you deal with documents, currency controls and cross-border payments. If you want specialists to help you start a business with foreign partners, leave a request on the “Foreign Economic Activity” page on the Delobank website.

______________

Note ed. — the article was originally posted on the company’s website Financier.ru

How to clear a car through customs

Customs clearance is carried out in order to legalize a car for use in Russia. It includes an inspection of documents and the visual condition of the car.

If you want to move an imported car, first find out how much it will cost to register it. You can calculate the cost yourself using an online calculator, or contact a customs broker. Then you need to pay for customs services (customs services), which guarantees trouble-free crossing of the Russian border. Its amount is equal to the approximate cost of the car.

Funds are transferred to a customs deposit three to four days before departure abroad. After receiving the funds, the driver will be given a customs receipt. If there is an overpayment, the money will be returned upon the driver’s request within 4-6 weeks.

Alena Khotmirova, customs clearance expert:

— If the driver drives himself, he needs to fill out the passenger customs declaration TD-6. If it will be transported by container, TD-6 is not needed. You need to inform customs of the ship's name and container number.

Also read: Rules for selling a car 2021

We are conducting operational

• customs clearance of scooters, scooters, mopeds when imported to Russia
• customs clearance of scooters, scooters, mopeds when exporting from Russia
• temporary import of scooters, scooters, mopeds
• temporary export of scooters, scooters, mopeds
• and other customs procedures necessary for you and your company

We will place a scooter, scooter, moped under any customs procedure, and the most popular ones are:

• Release for domestic consumption (customs clearance for import);
• Export (customs clearance for export).

We work with any participants in foreign trade activities:

• Individuals
• Legal entities
• Individual entrepreneurs

Documents and information for customs clearance of scooters, mopeds, scooters at customs

1. List of documents for registration of an individual at customs (View)
2. List of documents for registration of a Legal entity at customs (View)
3. List of documents for registration of an individual entrepreneur at customs (View)
4. List of documents for customs clearance “Import” (View)
5. List of documents for customs clearance “Export” (View)

Customs clearance procedure

The verification is carried out in several stages.

Stage 1: filling out the customs declaration. The document contains information about the owner and the vehicle. After filling out the declaration, you will be assigned a registration number, which will later be entered into the database.

Stage 2: transfer of the declaration and documents for the car to the inspector. When crossing the border you will be inspected:

• Original documents for the car and the sales contract (we recommend making copies in advance).
• Customs receipt and certificate. Issued at customs when the driver provides security for customs clearance (at least 5 days before entering Russia).
• Insurance. It cannot be done in advance, but it can be easily completed online at the representative office of the insurance company abroad or at the border. You do not need to be present in person or transport the car to obtain insurance.
• Sensor and button ERA-GLONASS.
• Vehicle Design Safety Certificate (VSSC). Some certification organizations issue it without the fact of installation, but with a signed installation agreement. The registration period is 1 day.

Inspectors will also be interested in the purpose of importing the car to check whether there are benefits in paying duties, and the mileage of the car.

Stage 3: decision making by the customs service. After checking the documents, the inspector will send the car for inspection. If the documents are not available, the employee will ask you to deliver them.

Stage 4: vehicle inspection. The check is carried out at a special site in the presence of the driver. The customs officer will check the accuracy of the data from the declaration. If violations of the rules for importing cars are discovered or the authenticity of the documents raises doubts, the inspector will draw up a protocol on the violations and send the car to a temporary storage warehouse. The car can stay there for no more than two months, during which time the driver needs to complete customs clearance.

If no violations are found, the employee will put an o in the declaration, sign it and affix a stamp. Then he will make an inventory of the documents in two copies and transfer them to the customs clearance (CTS) and currency control (VC) department. There they will check the cost of importing a car and the cost of transporting it to the Russian border, sign each copy of the inventory, put down dates and send the documents to the customs payments department (CPD).

Having calculated the total amount, the OTP employee will put a personal stamp, signature, his full name, the date of inspection, then transfer the package to the car registration department. Information about the car will be entered into the database, after which the driver will be issued an import certificate and vehicle title.

Also read: State duty for deregistration of a car in 2021

Arrival of cargo at the customs terminal

The declarant sends a notification to customs about the planned arrival of the cargo. In this case, the declaration can be submitted later: not simultaneously with the delivery of the goods to the terminal and not immediately after it. Before submitting the declaration, you can carry out certification and inspection of the cargo.

Certification requirements are established by a number of regulations; they are different for each HS code. Thus, certificates of conformity are needed only for goods specified in Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 982 of December 1, 2009. The requirements for phytosanitary control are established by the Decision of the EEC Council No. 157 of November 30, 2016. Almost always, certificates are issued in advance or received from the manufacturer along with the goods, but in some cases, certification is carried out after the cargo has been delivered to customs. This is done, for example, during phytocontrol, taking samples of goods from a vehicle. Laboratory tests and preparation of a phytocontrol report usually take only a few hours, so certification does not significantly increase the processing time.

The inspection is part of the preliminary control. It can be carried out at the request of the declarant or at the initiative of the inspector. It is organized to check the correct labeling of the goods and control the composition of the batch.

Calculation of customs clearance costs

Payment No. 1: recycling fee

This is a mandatory payment for all cars imported into Russia. Using this money, the car will be scrapped in the future. The one-time fee amounts are fixed. They do not depend on the size and power of the vehicle. Only age affects:

• 3,400 rubles - for new cars (less than three years old);
• 5,300 rubles - for a car (over three years old.

Payment No. 2: money for installing the ERA-GLONASS system

All cars crossing the Russian border must now have the ERA-GLONASS security system. She independently calls rescuers in the event of an accident. If the car is not initially equipped with EROY-GLONASS, you will have to spend about 30 thousand rubles plus for installation.

Payment No. 3: customs duty

Customs fees are charged for processing documents. It depends on the cost of the car.

Payment No. 4: Customs duty

The final price tag for customs clearance, as mentioned above, depends on several characteristics of the car:

• car prices;
• Year of release;
• engine power;
• carrying capacity (applies only to trucks).

Rates in Russia:

Let us show with an example how much it costs to clear a car through customs. For example, you buy a 2021 Renault Logan with a 1.2 liter engine for 4,500 euros. Less than three years have passed since its release, which means we use the first table.

In terms of cost, the car ranks first (up to 8,500 euros), calculations are made from 54% of the price, at least 2.5 € per 1 cubic meter. cm.

We first calculate by percentage. We multiply the cost of the car by 54%: 4500 euros x 54% = 2430 euros. Then we multiply the cost per 1 cubic meter. cm per engine capacity: 2.5 euro x 1200 cc. cm = 3000 euros.

Of the two amounts, it is better to choose the larger one, since the amount of the duty is constantly changing. In case of overpayment, after the inspectors calculate how much it costs to clear the car through customs, the amount can be returned back.

Payment No. 5: excise tax

The larger the engine capacity and the older the car, the higher the excise tax. This is an indirect tax that is levied during customs clearance.

Payment No. 6: VAT

Value added tax is also calculated separately depending on the year of manufacture, type of fuel, and so on.

Calculate how much it costs to clear a car through customs in Russia, taking into account taxes, excise taxes, etc. not so easy. The approximate cost can be calculated using a special calculator or contact a customs broker. He charges 10-15 thousand rubles for his services.

Alena Khotmirova, customs clearance expert:

– Considering the innovations in the legislation regarding the mandatory installation of the GLONASS button, insurance and other things, I would advise you to contact professional brokers. It is extremely difficult to clear customs on your own.

Also read: How to register a car sale

Customs payments

Motorcycles are cleared through customs at the relevant customs authorities at the place of registration of the buyer. After crossing the border, a certain period is given to deliver the vehicle to the place of immediate customs clearance. A deposit is paid in advance, which is 41.6% of the catalog price of the motorcycle. It is a guarantee that the owner will be able to subsequently pay customs duties. After making the deposit, the customs authority issues a receipt, and the owner receives a guarantee certificate, which allows the vehicle to be imported and operated in Russia. The deposit is made in advance, because when crossing the customs checkpoint at the border, the amount should already be in the state treasury account, as well as all preliminary data concerning the owner and the vehicle. You cannot make a deposit at the border.

The amount of customs duty is calculated depending on the following parameters:

• customs value;
• engine volume and power;
• vehicle age;
• masses;
• engine type;
• subject of import.

Important! There is no recycling fee for motorcycles.

Most motorcycle imports are imported by individuals. If a motorcycle is imported by an individual who is a resident of the Russian Federation for personal use, then customs clearance is carried out in a simplified manner. And the customs duty is 30% of the customs value.

A resident is a person who lives on the territory of the Russian Federation for at least six months and complies with the laws of the country.

If equipment is imported for commercial purposes, then the STP is paid - the total customs payment: the import duty is 12-17% of the customs value. Additionally, 20% VAT on the customs value + customs duty and excise duty is paid (in cases where the engine power is more than 150 hp, a rate of 491 rubles per 1 hp is applied, in 2022 it will reach 511 rubles per 1 hp, and in 2023 – 531 rubles per 1 hp). Excise tax rates are established by art. 193 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation (Part 2 was introduced by Federal Law of the Russian Federation of August 5, 2000 No. 117-FZ).

To the already mentioned payments, it is worth adding about 300 euros for additional expenses: temporary storage services, appraisal reports, etc.

It is convenient to use a special calculator for calculations. We suggest calculating customs duties here. This calculator is constantly updated, the data is updated, so the result will be as accurate as possible.

Note! Regardless of the country of import, the cost of the motorcycle and other fees are first expressed in US dollars and then converted into rubles.

Generalized information on customs clearance duty rates and excise duty rates is presented in the table:

Commodity Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activity	Engine type and cylinder displacement	Availability of a stroller	Basic duty rate, %	VAT, %	Excise tax
8711100000	Reciprocating mechanism, volume no more than 50 cm3	with/without	14	20	491 rub/hp, if the motor power is more than 112.5 kW or 150 hp. Motorcycles with other engine characteristics – no excise tax
8711209200	Reciprocating mechanism, volume 50–125 cm3	14	20	491 rub/hp, if the motor power is more than 112.5 kW or 150 hp. Motorcycles with other engine characteristics – no excise tax
8711209800	Reciprocating mechanism, volume 125-250 cm3	14	20	491 rub/hp, if the motor power is more than 112.5 kW or 150 hp. Motorcycles with other engine characteristics – no excise tax
8711301000	Reciprocating mechanism, volume 250-380 cm3	with/without	15	20	491 rub/hp, if the motor power is more than 112.5 kW or 150 hp. Motorcycles with other engine characteristics – no excise tax
8711309000	Reciprocating mechanism, volume 380-500 cm3	with/without	15	20	491 rub/hp, if the motor power is more than 112.5 kW or 150 hp. Motorcycles with other engine characteristics – no excise tax
8711400000	Reciprocating mechanism, volume 500-800 cm3	with/without	15	20	491 rub/hp, if the motor power is more than 112.5 kW or 150 hp. Motorcycles with other engine characteristics – no excise tax
8711500000	Reciprocating mechanism, volume more than 800 cm3	with/without	10	20	491 rub/hp, if the motor power is more than 112.5 kW or 150 hp. Motorcycles with other engine characteristics – no excise tax
8711609000	Electric	with/without	14	20	491 rub/hp, if the motor power is more than 112.5 kW or 150 hp. Motorcycles with other engine characteristics – no excise tax
8711900000	Other characteristics	with/without	14	20	491 rub/hp, if the motor power is more than 112.5 kW or 150 hp. Motorcycles with other engine characteristics – no excise tax

There are nuances if the motorcycle is imported from a certain country. For example, if a vehicle is imported through Belarus, then all the same documents are presented (purchase agreement, invoice, technical documentation, receipts), except for cases where the vehicle delivered from European countries has already cleared customs in Belarus or was produced there. Then there is no need to go through the procedure again at the Russian border. Moreover, the motorcycle must be imported into Belarus no earlier than 2010.

It is worth mentioning separately about customs clearance of motorcycles from Germany. If the motorcycle costs more than 2,000 euros, then the export declaration must be completed in the region where the seller operates. It is difficult to do this on your own; it is advisable to do it through an accredited company. The cost of such a service is around 30-40 euros. Then you need to go to the regional customs office with the motorcycle. From there, after reconciliation, all data is sent electronically to the specified border crossing. There, the data is entered into the system, after which the motorcycle is considered imported.

Features of importing an electric vehicle

The procedure for customs clearance of electric vehicles is almost no different from customs clearance of conventional cars. The difference is possible only in the amount of customs duties, which consists of the following indicators:

• customs clearance fee (tied to the customs value of the electric car): from 500 (at a price of 200 thousand rubles per car) to 100 thousand rubles (at a price of 30 million rubles per car);
• import duty 15%;
• VAT 20%;
• standard recycling fee;
• excise tax rates calculated from engine power.

Also read: How to communicate with a car buyer by phone

Customs clearance of groupage cargo

If the consignment is small, special transportation of groupage cargo is used. You can fill the container with cargo from another supplier. The customer simply pays for the weight and volume of the goods. For this type of cargo, air delivery from China is often used. This is the best way for small companies, in the absence of the ability to freeze money in goods. However, the delivery and customs clearance procedure for consolidated cargo takes longer, since cargo from several senders is collected for shipment in China. Also, customs clearance of groupage cargo has more formalities.

Customs clearance of a car from Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia

These countries are members of the Eurasian Economic Union and provide for a single customs territory. Belarus and Kazakhstan have the same amount of duties. After paying for them, upon entering Russia, all that remains is to pay the recycling fee and equip the GLONASS system. Belarus is also popular because of its proximity to Europe; good models go there.

There will be no significant savings with Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, although preferential customs clearance rules apply there. But at the border with Russia, you will most likely be asked to pay the remaining amount for registration, recycling fees and installation of GLONASS.

Customs clearance of cars from the USA and Europe

Importing cars from America and European countries is considered profitable, because prices on the secondary market there are much lower than in Russia. At auctions in the USA there are even very budget options. For example, a Chevrolet Bolt with all customs clearance costs will cost 16-18 thousand dollars. This is a little more than a million rubles. It is difficult to buy a model in Russia, and the price tag for it is set at around two million.

Customs clearance of cars from Germany is also in demand. For example, to drive a German Volkswagen Polo from 2010, you will have to pay about 4,200 euros (about 370 thousand rubles). The total, including the price, will be about 600 thousand. Due to the exchange rate, this is not very profitable now; cheaper options can be found in Russia.

Alena Khotmirova, customs clearance expert:

– Many foreign manufacturers have opened production facilities in Russia. Therefore, if you compare the cost of a foreign car plus customs clearance and the cost of a similar model assembled in the Russian Federation, it turns out that the difference is small. In some cases, used models are even cheaper on the Russian market.

Also read: How to prepare a car for sale: expert advice

Customs clearance and clearance of general cargo

General cargo is that which is delivered separately in one container.

If we talk about general cargo, then they are suitable for large consignments of goods, when the container is filled with goods from one customer. It must be sealed and not opened. The buyer can be confident in the safety of goods, especially during multimodal transportation, when containers are reloaded on different types of transport to speed up delivery of goods. For China, sea + rail transportation is optimal in terms of time and cost.

How much does it cost to clear a car from Japan through customs?

There are also auctions in Japan where you can bargain and bring a car to Russia through an intermediary. But this is not always beneficial. For example, a resident of Irkutsk managed to get a Japanese Toyota Aqua for 670 thousand rubles including all customs expenses (at that time the price tag in Russia was approximately the same). Plus, the entire process of delivery and customs clearance took 3.5 months.

But in Japan you can find cars that are not officially supplied or have ceased to be supplied to Russia (Toyota Succeed, Nissan Serena, Toyota Mark X and others).

Alena Khotmirova, customs clearance expert:

— Where is the best place to drive your car from depends on your location. If you live in Vladivostok and plan to sell cars there, then, of course, it is more profitable and convenient to import the Japanese auto industry. Europe is suitable for central Russia. As for American models, it is worth carefully calculating the logistics. Due to long distances, transporting a car can be quite expensive.

Also read: How to increase the price of a car when selling