Without mileage in the Russian Federation: how they cheat with “freshly imported” cars from Europe

Buying used cars from the EU – benefits and risks

The European automobile market attracts Russians with a wide range of models and lower prices compared to offers within the country. The high quality of highways in the EU is of no small importance, so a foreign used car is usually in better condition than a similar model with similar mileage on Russian roads. Purchasing a new car abroad only makes sense if the model you are interested in is not officially supplied to the Russian Federation.

Germany is the most popular place to buy a used vehicle. According to those who have already had experience of buying several cars in this country, the sellers there are honest and the deal is concluded transparently. In addition, you can count on a 19% VAT refund, but only if the car was purchased at a car dealership. This will not be possible when contacting private individuals.

It is worth noting that not all cars sold on the secondary market in Germany are cheaper than in Russia. This largely depends on the popularity of the model, year of manufacture, prevalence, engine power and some other factors. To buy a car with customs clearance and not make a mistake, you should first check the prices in Russia and the EU, and then calculate the cost of import and customs clearance. It is quite possible that purchasing from a domestic seller is much more profitable. If you still prefer the European market, you should look for a car under 5 years old. When your purchase is 7 or more years old, the customs duty for it will be significantly higher, and you will lose.

To determine the feasibility of purchasing a car from Germany, it is necessary to calculate the sum of the three components of this operation - the price of the product, the cost of delivery and the amount of customs duty.

If you personally go abroad in search of a car, you should also add travel expenses, and when contacting intermediaries, the cost of their services.

Price comparison

To find out the average price for the model you are interested in on the Russian market, you can use the popular website. Next, to compare the result, you need to study European automotive Internet resources. Let's look at the process using the example of Germany. If you do not speak German, a website that works in several languages, including Russian, is suitable. Here you can find offers from vehicle sellers from all over Germany and some neighboring countries.

As an alternative, you can use the site, the owners of which have provided a Russified version of the resource. This suggests that our compatriots often come here. When contacting car dealerships selling used cars, you most likely will not need German, since many of them have Russian-speaking employees. The seller should clarify the possibility of refunding VAT after making a purchase, because not all car dealers can do this due to some legal peculiarities in Germany.

Calculation of customs clearance

As soon as you decide on your future purchase, it’s time to start calculating customs costs. To reduce them, you should choose cars between 3 and 5 years old, with an engine capacity of no more than 3000 cm³. If this indicator is exceeded by 500 cm³, the import duty increases to 40%. To calculate your future expenses, use the convenient one. It is specifically designed for cases when vehicles for personal use are imported into Russia. The results obtained will be indicative.

Delivery

The import of vehicles from Germany by auto transporter is carried out at a fixed rate. For example, delivery of a sedan will cost 1,200 euros. Current prices should be checked with transport companies before making a purchase. Some of them deliver cars to order. However, you will have to pay extra for this convenience.

How much does it cost to drive and clear a car from Belarus to Russia?

The popularly known concept of “customs clearance” means customs clearance of certain goods imported into the territory of the Russian Federation from abroad.

This procedure is required in order to control objects entering Russia from the point of view of their legality.

Customs officers get acquainted with the documentation for imported vehicles, check the data, inspect the vehicle, recording the presence or absence of inconsistencies.

The procedure for importing technical equipment for personal use is quite complicated and requires significant financial investments.

In order for a car imported from Belarus to avoid customs clearance, it must meet certain conditions.

The driver is exempt from paying customs duties in the following cases:

1. The car was brought to the territory of the Republic of Belarus before January 1, 2010. This condition is explained by the fact that before the specified period, tax rates almost identical to those in the Russian Federation were in effect, and therefore it is considered that during the operation of the vehicle it covered all tax costs.
2. The manufacturer of the car is a member state of the Customs Union, which must be confirmed with relevant documents.
3. When registering a car in the Republic of Belarus, a tax corresponding to the amount of customs clearance in the Russian Federation was paid.

If you decide to import a car from Belarus, remember that the Customs Union rules regarding duty-free import apply only to those vehicles that were purchased in countries that are members of the Customs Union.

When importing vehicles with European license plates from Belarus, all customs duties and taxes are retained and paid in full.

In Belarus, you can easily buy both used and new cars, even in installments (Sberbank branches in this country provide this opportunity).

The main thing is to find a suitable option that does not have the inconsistencies described above . In this case, the transaction and transportation of the car will take place quickly and without unnecessary hassle.

We offer an approximate scheme of actions for purchasing a car in the Republic of Belarus:

The registration of the electric vehicle is carried out by the customs authorities geographically linked to the place of permanent residence of the importing citizen. During this time, the vehicle is placed in a warehouse, where it can remain for no more than 2 months. This period is sufficient to resolve all organizational issues, since the procedure usually takes about 2-3 weeks.

The first check of documents for compliance with the legislative norms of the Russian Federation is carried out when crossing the border, therefore, before entering the country, the car owner should take care of the availability of:

• passports (foreign and Russian citizen);
• a statement that must indicate the exact time of arrival of the cargo at a specific checkpoint;
• declarations in form TD-6. If transportation is carried out in a container, then a mark is made about unaccompanied baggage, and if the electric vehicle moves under its own power, then about accompanied baggage;
• a customs receipt confirming the fact of depositing the security deposit into the department’s account, and certified by the inspector. If the funds are contributed not by the owner, but by his representative, then a notarized power of attorney will be required;
• a set of documentation for the vehicle (registration certificate, warranty certificate, purchase agreement, insurance policy).

After a thorough inspection of the electric vehicle and examination of the provided documents, the customs officer will make an entry in the journal and issue an entry permit. Further actions boil down to contacting the appropriate customs authority at the place of stay to complete registration, as well as calculating and paying state-established fees.

Importing a car into the Russian Federation from the EU without customs clearance

Customs clearance of a car is a very troublesome and expensive pleasure, which often negates the buyer’s benefit. For this reason, some of our compatriots are trying to circumvent this procedure - both through legal and gray schemes. As for legal ways to avoid customs clearance, they are not available to everyone. In order not to pay the duty, it is necessary to obtain temporary import, and this can only be done by:

• foreigners temporarily staying on the territory of the Russian Federation;
• Russians who have a residence permit abroad.

In both cases, the car must be registered in the territory of another state. Temporary import for foreigners is issued for a year, and for Russians – for six months. Before this period expires, the car must leave the territory of the Russian Federation, but after some time it may return. In this case, a new temporary import is issued. Read more about this procedure in the article “Bringing a car from Poland without customs clearance.”

Legal ways to import a car from Lithuania to Russia

Legally moving a car from the Baltics is a labor-intensive process that requires effort and material resources. Customs clearance is sometimes more expensive than the car itself, so car owners agree to temporary import with annual renewal of documents.

If you are planning to buy a car from Lithuania, be prepared for the costs associated with paying duties and obtaining certificates.

The final amount is affected by:

• transport price;
• Production year;
• engine power and volume;
• type of vehicle (passenger car, minibus, bus, etc.);
• value added tax (18% of the price of transport);
• import duties.

To find out the exact prices for documentation, you can use the online calculator. In half of the cases, when importing cars legally from EU countries, the costs range from $500 to $1,200.

When entering by car from Lithuania, customs officers need to present a substantial package of documents:

• originals and copies on the vehicle;
• customs receipt (issued before departure to another country);
• transport insurance contract;
• customs declaration;
• GLONASS safety certificate (for new and used cars that were produced no more than 30 years ago).

To reduce the cost of importing transport from Lithuania, various schemes are used:

• Car driving by citizens who live in Lithuania. There are no duties to be paid if the car is imported by foreigners. At the customs control point they receive a residence permit in Russia for a period of 1 year. Foreigners are considered to be persons who have dual citizenship (Russian Federation and Lithuania) or a residence permit in another country.
• Registration of a car for a company in Lithuania. A Russian can open a “fake” company in Lithuania and then register a vehicle in its name. At the border, the car owner is given a license with which he can travel freely within the Russian Federation for no more than 3 months. But after the expiration of the period, you must cross the border with Lithuania again.

On January 2, 2015, adjustments were made to customs legislation, which for most lovers of imported cars has become a problem. Previously, the import certificate of a vehicle (IVC) registered to a Lithuanian company was renewed only once a year. Now the procedure must be performed quarterly, which entails additional costs:

• expenses for registering a company in Lithuania – 70,500 rubles;
• re-registration of UVTS – 600 rubles;
• tax to the budget of Lithuania (once a year) – 141,000 rubles.

Legal import and registration of cars from the Lithuanian market hits the pockets of many Russian citizens. Therefore, car enthusiasts are looking for alternative ways to operate imported cars in their country.

Legal operation of a car from the EU on the territory of the Russian Federation

After obtaining temporary import, you will have the right to operate a foreign car on Russian roads. However, such a vehicle has a number of restrictions. For example, only a person for whom temporary import has been issued can drive a car. The vehicle may only be used for personal and not commercial purposes. When driving a car with foreign license plates, be prepared for close attention from traffic police inspectors. They will often stop you to check the legality of your vehicle being on the territory of the Russian Federation. You can read about all the nuances of temporary import in the article “How to drive a car that has not cleared customs.”

Requirements for vehicles imported into the country

Before purchasing a car abroad and then importing it into Russia, you need to take into account important conditions, without which you will not be able to clear your purchase through customs and receive a title:

1. Since January 1, 2016, the Russian border has been closed to vehicles that do not meet the requirements of the EURO-5 environmental standard. It regulates the permissible content of harmful emissions in engine exhaust gases. EURO-5 was introduced on the territory of EU countries in 2008, so you will not be able to introduce and operate cars on the roads of the Russian Federation.
2. Since January 1, 2017, a new obstacle has arisen on the path of used vehicles on the border of the Russian Federation - all cars produced in Russia and imported into its territory from other countries must be equipped with the ERA-GLONASS system. It is a panic button that allows you to quickly contact emergency services in the event of an accident and provide your coordinates.

Customs clearance procedure for used cars

Before looking for a vehicle abroad, it is important to get an idea of ​​how to clear a car from Europe to Russia through customs. It can enter the territory of our country either under its own power or on the platform of a car transporter. Therefore, customs clearance can be carried out in two ways:

• When crossing the border under its own power, the car is registered in the customs declaration as accompanied luggage and is cleared through customs at the border checkpoint. A compulsory motor liability insurance policy is also issued here, without which you cannot drive on Russian roads.
• If transportation is carried out through a transport company, the car must be checked in as unaccompanied baggage. In this case, it will only be inspected at the border, and after entering the territory of the Russian Federation, it will be delivered to the customs warehouse at your place of residence. Final clearance is carried out by local customs authorities.

Regardless of the chosen import method, the customs clearance procedure provides for a maximum period for completing all procedures within 72 hours.

Cost of customs clearance

The final cost of your car after going through all the procedures will depend on several factors. The size of the duty, as you already know, is affected by the age of the car, cost and engine size. Additionally, you will have to pay a recycling fee of 2-3 thousand rubles. If you do not plan to deal with paperwork, you can hire a customs broker. In this case, the cost of customs clearance will increase by another 20,000 rubles. You can find out about all the costs that await you when importing a vehicle from abroad from the content of the article “How much does it cost to clear a car from Germany through customs.”

The process of customs clearance of a car from Germany

Customs duties when importing cars from Germany include a single customs rate, customs clearance and recycling fees in percentages of approximately 95%/2.5%/2.5%, respectively. In general, the total customs duty is approximately 25% of the cost of the car. The most accurate calculation of the fee amount is shown on the TKS website, and we recommend using it for calculation. In any case, you will find out the final amount when you contact the customs authority of your region.

Customs clearance of a car occurs upon import, when the car arrives within Russia. During the customs clearance process, all the necessary documents will be prepared for you, after which you will be able to register the car with the traffic police.

How to drive a car from Germany to Russia

Here, as we said above, it is best to use the services of distillers whose websites you can find on the Internet. One of the leading transporters is proauto.eu; they provide a full range of services for transporting cars from Germany. In addition, it is better to order an inspection of the technical condition of the car at the stage of negotiations with the car dealership from the same company.

Your car will be delivered to Russia from Germany on a car transporter, so the mileage will not be increased. In terms of time, moving a car to the Russian Federation takes about 10 days (plus or minus 2-3 days) and depends on the remoteness of your city.

Also, a company representative can accompany the documentation of customs clearance of a driven car in Russia, literally leading you by the hand through the authorities at customs (don’t worry, there will be few of them).

Responsibility for evading customs clearance

For violation of the requirements of the customs legislation of the Russian Federation, liability is provided in accordance with Chapter 16 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation and Article 194 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Punishment for an administrative offense is applied in the following cases:

• failure to complete the customs declaration for an imported car – 1000-2000 rubles;
• late payment of customs duties and taxes – 500-2500 rubles;
• violation of the deadlines for the return export of vehicles delivered to Russia with temporary import registration – 1500-2500 rubles.

The Criminal Code of the Russian Federation comes into force when evading the payment of fees and duties, the amount of which exceeds 1 million rubles. When importing premium models, payment amounts easily exceed this threshold. In this case, violators will face the following penalties:

• evasion of payment of duties in the amount of more than 1 million rubles entails a fine of 100-500 thousand rubles, correctional labor - up to 480 hours or a prison term of up to 2 years;
• failure to pay a fee of more than 3 million rubles entails a fine of 300-500 thousand rubles, correctional labor for up to 5 years or a prison term of up to 2 years.

Customs clearance of cars from Belarus to Russia in 2021

Our customs broker (representative) offers you the services of prompt customs clearance of cars of any type and brand imported from Belarus at any customs posts in Russia:

• at airports
• in seaports
• at cargo automobile terminals – temporary storage warehouse
• at railway checkpoints

We work with any participants in foreign trade activities:

• Individuals
• Legal entities
• Individual entrepreneurs

Our company also provides customs clearance services for motorcycles from Belarus (RB) at customs in Russia. These rules are similar to the rules for registration of cars. If the motorcycle has already been cleared by customs in the Republic of Belarus, then in the Russian Federation you only need to obtain a vehicle passport (PTS), because customs duties were paid at the customs office of the Republic of Belarus.

On average, customs clearance of a car from Belarus to Russia takes 1 day!

In our company, the price or cost of “customs clearance of cars” imported from Belarus to Russia is discussed individually depending on the tasks and place of customs clearance and is the minimum on the market. On average it is:

• for individuals: from 5,000 rubles;
• for legal entities or individual entrepreneurs (IP): from 10,000 rubles.

conclusions

Purchasing a used car is always associated with risk, even if the transaction is made in EU countries. No one can guarantee that the car you are purchasing is not listed as stolen. The fact of theft may be discovered during the border crossing or later. In this case, your purchase will be confiscated, even if you have already cleared it through customs.

Floods often occur in Europe, so there is a high probability of buying a “drowned man”. The temporary import option is only suitable for very expensive cars. In the case of budget models, the costs of obtaining a residence permit will not be worth it.