Import Rules, Regulations, Policies & Procedures
To Import Japan Used Cars In Russia

Check all the key points related to import rules, regulations, policies, documentations, duties and taxes, inspections, restrictions, shipping ports, etc. which you should keep in mind while importing Used Cars from Japan to Russia

Used Car Import Rules & Regulations in Russia

Left-Hand Drive Vehicles

Driving in Russia is on the right side of the road. Importation of left-hand drive vehicles is allowed.

Age Restriction

Vehicles more than 5 years old are not allowed to be import in the country.

The car import to Russia has increased 2.7 times in the first half of the current year. A report from the Russian Federal Customs Service says the import of foreign cars has increased up to 215.2 thousand cars. Importing automobiles and other vehicles into Russia is expensive but often essential for U.S. companies doing business there. Since heavy customs duties were imposed last July, combined Import tariffs and excise taxes can exceed 100 percent of a vehicles total value.

Used Cars Import Duties And Taxes In Russia

Duties and taxes

  • 25 percent of the vehicle’s value as an import tax.
  • Value-added tax (VAT) is 20 percent of the value of the vehicle.
  • Accredited foreign companies and foreign nationals resident in Russia, however, are exempt in many cases. Taking advantage of these exemptions is not easy. Import requirements are complex and confusing. Relevant customs regulations are often difficult to access, and enforcement often depends more on the mood of individual officials than on the law.

Used Cars Import Documentation in Russia

  • Commercial Invoice
  • Customs value declaration
  • Bill of Lading
  • Freight insurance
  • Packing List
  • Single Administrative Document (SAD)

Importing Temporary Vehicles

Temporarily imported vehicles, whose temporary use has been extended beyond one year, enjoy partial import tax relief. In such cases, a customs charge of three percent of the total cost of the vehicle is assessed each month. Total cost for this purpose is the original product Price plus all import taxes. Advanced assessment of up to three months may be required. If the vehicle is re-exported, these fees are not returned.

If it is sold, the monthly fees already paid by the time of sale are included in the import taxes Assessed. Vehicles imported into Russia as a contribution to authorized capital of enterprises with foreign investment are exempt from the value added tax for one year beginning from the moment of enterprise registration.

Importing Personal Vehicles

Individuals moving to Russia permanently from other countries are exempt from import duties for one vehicle, except new vehicles with engine size over 1,800 cubic centimeters. Residents of foreign countries are exempt from import duties for temporary import of one vehicle for a period not to exceed one year, for Personal use or use by the members of the importers family.

Permanent residents of the Russian Federation who stay abroad for over six months without interruption are also eligible to import one vehicle without paying import taxes, except new vehicles with engine size over 1,800 cubic centimeters. Individuals should provide customs officials with a customs declaration that includes the retail cost of the vehicle.

The prospective importer should also be prepared to authenticate the retail cost. Otherwise customs officials will assess the cost themselves based on price information maintained by Russian Customs.