The introduction of new recycling fee rates from April 1, 2026 has radically changed the economic feasibility of importing vehicles from abroad for individuals. Fiscal burden for most categories of imported cars has increased many times, making it impossible to use preferential treatment for subsequent resale. Now, when importing a car, it is necessary to take into account not only customs duties, but also differentiated recycling fee, which can exceed the cost of the vehicle itself several times.
The changes affected both cars and trucks, as well as electric vehicles, for which preferential conditions previously applied. Customs authorities require the provision of an expanded package of documents, including confirmation of actual payment of all taxes in the country of export and detailed declaration of conformity technical regulations of the EAEU. Any error in calculations or attempt to underestimate the customs value now leads to the immediate initiation of an administrative offense case with confiscation of the cargo.
Car owners planning to register this year should carefully study the current coefficients, as they depend on engine size, year of manufacture and type of power plant. Customs value is now determined not only from reference books, but also taking into account current market prices in the manufacturing country, which eliminates schemes with artificially low prices in the invoice. Understanding these nuances is critical to avoid financial losses and legal risks when crossing the border.
Changes in the calculation of recycling fees
A key element of the new rules was a change in the methodology for calculating the recycling fee, which now serves as a protective mechanism for the internal market. Base rates were indexed taking into account inflation processes and exchange rate fluctuations, but the real increase in price occurred due to the introduction of new coefficients for certain categories of equipment. For cars with an engine capacity of up to 2 liters, the increase was a significant percentage, which hit the budget segment of imports.
Particular attention should be paid to cars manufactured more than 3 years ago, since increased coefficients are applied to them, making the import of old equipment economically meaningless. Electric cars They also lost some of the benefits: if previously the rate for them was symbolic, now it is tied to the weight of the battery and the total weight of the vehicle. This forces importers to reconsider supply chains and look for alternative sales markets.
The amount is calculated at the time of filing the declaration, and the basis for calculation is the customs value, recalculated at the Central Bank exchange rate on the date of registration of the customs declaration. Control compliance with this condition is carried out through a single database of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate and the Federal Customs Service.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to register a car to a dummy for the purpose of subsequent quick sale is now monitored by automatic risk analysis systems. If the fact of commercial use of “personal” import is revealed, you will be required to pay the full disposal fee, which can reach millions of rubles, plus penalties.
Detailing by category
For electric vehicles weighing up to 2.5 tons, the base rate is 3,400 rubles, but taking into account the coefficients for new cars (up to 3 years), the amount can rise to 80,000 rubles and higher, depending on the specific model and country of origin.|For cars with an internal combustion engine up to 1 liter, the coefficient increased to 5.2, which at the base rate gives a significant amount, and for engines with a volume of over 3.5 liters, the coefficient reaches maximum values, effectively closing the market for powerful import.
The procedure for customs clearance of individuals
The registration procedure for individuals has undergone changes in terms of documentary confirmation of the owner’s status and import purposes. Now, in order to clear customs, you must be personally present when submitting the declaration or have a notarized power of attorney with an expanded list of powers. Customs inspector has the right to require additional evidence that the car is imported specifically for personal use and not for commercial activity.
The list of required documents has been supplemented by the requirement to provide originals of export declarations from the country of export, confirming the legality of the vehicle’s departure. If the car was purchased through a dealer network, a complete package of closing documents indicating the final purchase price is required. The absence of any of the documents leads to the suspension of the release of goods and the placement of the car on temporary storage warehouse, which entails additional costs.
Registration takes place in several stages: preliminary declaration, provision of the vehicle for inspection, payment of fees and release for free circulation. At the inspection stage, compliance is checked VIN codes, engine and chassis license plates, data specified in the documents. Any discrepancies, even by one figure, require an expert examination, which significantly delays the process.
☑️ Checklist for car registration
It is worth noting that the deadline for issuing the declaration is also regulated: the standard procedure takes up to 4 hours from the moment of registration, however, if an additional check is scheduled, this period may be extended. The owner must be prepared to promptly provide the requested information in order to avoid vehicle downtime at the border.
New requirements for documents and SBCTS
Obtaining a VSCTS (Vehicle Safety Design Certificate) has become one of the most difficult stages in the import chain. The laboratories have tightened the requirements for the technical condition of the car and the presence of mandatory equipment, such as a ERA-GLONASS. Without installing the terminal and obtaining the appropriate certificate, registration of the SBCTS is impossible, which blocks further registration with the traffic police.
For vehicles not equipped with the ERA-GLONASS system by the manufacturer, expensive work is required to install the module. In addition, laboratories carry out a verification of all components and assemblies for their replacement or artisanal modernization. If design changes are discovered that are not agreed upon with the manufacturer, the issuance of a certificate will be refused until the comments are corrected.
The package of documents for obtaining SBCTS now necessarily includes a report on the preliminary technical examination. This document confirms that the car complies with the requirements of the technical regulations of the Customs Union. Labeling errors or unreadable license plates require a forensic examination, the results of which are also included in the case file.
| Document type | Validity period | Where is it issued? | Nuances of 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBCTS | Indefinitely | Accredited laboratory | Installation of ERA-GLONASS is required |
| EPTS | Indefinitely | EPTS system operator | Active status required |
| DT (Customs Declaration) | One time | Customs post | Strict customs value control |
Advice: Before sending the car to the laboratory to obtain the SBCTS, independently check the readability of all license plates and the compliance of the VIN code in the documents and on the body. This will save you time and money on repeat visits.
Peculiarities of importing electric vehicles and hybrids
The electric transport sector, previously an outlet for importers, was also subject to regulation in 2026. New rules for customs clearance of cars differentiate electric vehicles by range and traction battery capacity. For hybrid cars that combine an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, the duty is calculated according to a combined scheme, which takes into account the volume of the internal combustion engine.
The main difficulty lies in classifying the vehicle according to HS codes. Customs carefully checks the technical documentation to determine whether the car is a full-fledged electric vehicle or a hybrid. The used customs rate. If the electric vehicle is imported in knocked down form (CKD/SKD), other rules may apply to it, requiring confirmation of a production license.
Owners of electric vehicles must also consider battery disposal requirements. The documents must contain information about the chemical composition of the battery and the possibility of its recycling. This is due to new environmental standards that came into force at the beginning of the year.
⚠️ Attention: The import of electric vehicles that do not meet safety requirements for electrical protection and fire safety is prohibited. If any discrepancies are found, the vehicle may be returned to the sender or disposed of at the owner's expense.
Risks and liability when violating the rules
Violation of customs legislation in 2026 entails serious liability, including criminal liability. The main risks are inaccurate declaration of value, violation of the ban on the import of certain categories of equipment and failure to comply with recycling collection requirements. Administrative responsibility provides for fines ranging from 50% to 200% of the value of the car with or without confiscation.
Particular attention is paid to “transit” schemes through the EAEU countries. An attempt to import a car across the border with Belarus or Kazakhstan in order to evade Russian customs duties is now practically impossible thanks to the exchange of data between fiscal services. A car imported at reduced rates in a partner country will require additional payment of the difference in the salvage fee when registered in Russia.
In addition to financial losses, the owner faces the risk of being blacklisted by customs authorities, which will complicate any foreign economic transactions in the future. Legal purity transactions are the only way to protect yourself from government claims in the long term.
Main conclusion: Saving on customs duties through the use of gray schemes in 2026 carries critical financial risks. Legal registration is the only safe way.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to import a car older than 10 years for personal use?
Formally, there are no bans on the import of cars of any age, but scrappage rates for cars older than 3-5 years (depending on volume) make this process economically unfeasible. The amount of scrap collection can range from 1 to 3 million rubles or more, which significantly exceeds the market value of such cars.
How does customs check the real value of a car?
Customs authorities use their own price database, which takes into account the average market cost of similar models in the country of export, and also request information from banks about the movement of funds. If the declared value is 20% or more lower than the average, additional justification or payment of security is required.
Is it necessary to pay a recycling fee if a car is imported from an EAEU country?
If the car was manufactured in an EAEU country or was imported there with payment of all necessary payments and disposal fees, and less than 3 years have passed since its release (or 5 years for some categories), then when importing into the Russian Federation, you do not need to pay the disposal fee again, but documentary confirmation of this fact is required.
What happens if you don’t install ERA-GLONASS?
Without installing the ERA-GLONASS module and receiving the appropriate mark in the SBCTS, you will not be able to issue an EPTS. Without a valid EPTS, registering a car with the traffic police is impossible, which makes operating the vehicle on public roads illegal.