OREANDA-NEWS Some cars in Russia may increase in price after April 1, 2024: the Russian authorities are changing the payment system for importing cars and closing a loophole that allowed them to save money.

The government's decision adopted in mid-February 2024 clarifies the procedure for calculating payments when importing cars from the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union to Russia.

"Taxes and fees not paid due to the underestimation of the customs value of cars imported into Russia from the EAEU countries will be taken into account as part of the recycling fee, which is mandatory for both individuals and legal entities," the Russian government said in a statement. "This approach will help to avoid situations where citizens and companies importing cars cleared in the EAEU countries receive unreasonable advantages compared to car owners doing this in Russia and paying taxes and fees established by law in full."

Thus, the authorities are closing the possibility of gray import of cars through the countries of the Eurasian Union. "It was possible to buy a car in China and bring it, for example, to Kyrgyzstan. And there the car was registered to a local resident who paid the duty in Kyrgyzstan, but indicated an undervalued customs value. The savings were decent. But at the same time, the car was cleared in the territory of the EAEU," he said NEWS.ru automotive expert Peter Bakanov.

At the same time, to import such a car to Russia, it was only necessary to pay an additional recycling fee and make a number of other payments. "And that's it — the car was driving on the roads legally. At the same time, it cost several hundred thousand rubles cheaper than officially imported ones. And dealers have long protested against such a scheme," added Peter Bakanov.

What additional payments for cars imported through the EAEU countries will be required in the Russian Federation

The new rules, which will start working on April 1, will make the import of cars with "cheap customs clearance" impossible. "The correctness of the calculation of the recycling fee will be controlled by the Federal Customs Service. The accrual of unpaid taxes and fees for subsequent payment as part of the recycling fee will be carried out according to the formula approved by the government decree," the government explained.