Customs declaration for the car: sample of filling and step-by-step analysis

Import of a car through customs is a procedure that requires a scrupulous approach to the execution of documents. Customs declaration for the vehicle (TDTS) It becomes the main document, on the correctness of filling which depends not only successful customs clearance, but also the future legal "purity" of the machine. Mistakes are costly, from delays at the border to fines of up to 300% of the cost of a car.

Since 2026, the FCS of Russia has tightened control over the declaration of vehicles, especially in terms of the indication of the HS code and customs valuation. This article will help you understand the current forms (form). TD-6 for naturalists and TD-1 for legal entities, avoid typical errors when filling in columns 31-47, and also tell you what accompanying documents will be required for different categories of cars - new, used, electric vehicles and cars with hybrid engines.

We will pay special attention to the nuances that even experienced brokers do not mention: how to declare correctly. tuning-car with the changed technical characteristics, what to do if the PTS does not have data on the color of the body, and why indicating the wrong weight of the car can lead to additional charges of 15-20% more than the real amount.

Personal use |Resales |Commercial use |Another option->

1. What documents are needed to fill out the customs declaration on the car

Before you start filling out the form, collect a full package of documents. Without them, you will not be able to correctly specify even the basic information in columns 1-15. Here's the minimum set:

• 📄 Vehicle passport (PTS) - the main document, which indicates the VIN, brand, model, year of issue and technical parameters. Pay attention.If the PTS is in a foreign language, a notarized translation will be required.
• 📑 Contract of sale (or invoice) - confirms the value of the car. The FCS may request the original with the seller’s wet seal, especially if the price is below the market by more than 20%.
• 🔧 Technical passport (for new vehicles) or registration (for used) - contains data on the engine, body, color and other characteristics.
• 💰 Payment documents bank statements, receipts of transfer of funds to the seller. They will confirm the declared cost in the declaration.

For specific cases, additional papers may be needed:

• 🔋 For electric certificate of conformity EAEU It's a battery pack.
• 🛠️ For tuning-car documents confirming the legality of the changes (for example, a certificate for gas cylinder equipment).
• 🚛 For commercial Permission to transport dangerous goods (if applicable).

Critical error30% of the declarants allow: ignoring the requirement to provide photocopy (front, rear, interior, VIN number). The FCS has the right to refuse registration if the pictures do not correspond to the characteristics specified in the declaration (for example, the color of the body in the photo and in column 33 is different).

2. Step by step: how to fill out the customs declaration on the car

Let’s look at the example of the form. TD-6 (for natural persons). Legal entities use the form TD-1The principles of data are similar. In total, the declaration has 54 columns, but for cars the key ones are 31-47.

Step 1: Fill in column 1-15 (general information)

• Count 1 - the customs code. Find out on the website of the FCS or at the broker. For example, for Sheremetyevo-Cargo it 10203010.
• Count 8 The number of sheets of the declaration. For one car usually enough 1 sheet, but if additional documents are attached (for example, tuning), you may need 2-3 sheets.
• Count 15 - currency of settlement. Please indicate the vehicle you used to pay for (usually) USD or EUR).

Step 2: Product description (Chapters 31-47)

That's where most of the mistakes are. Let's take a look at the key fields:

Count number	What do I say?	Example of filling
31	Code HS HS (10 characters)	For Toyota Camry 2.5 (gasoline, 2023) 8703.23.190.0
33	Make, model, modification	Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TSI 4Motion
38	Year of issue (4 figures)	2022 (Even if the car is released in December 2021, but the model is 2022)
44	VIN number (17 characters)	JTMBFREV0MJ123456
47	Customs value (in currency column 15)	28 500 USD

Note 47: If you specify a price below the market by more than 15%, the FCS will automatically initiate the check. For example, for BMW X5 2021 30,000 miles. The minimum allowable price is 45 000 EUR. The sum of EUR 35,000 is guaranteed to lead to the request for additional documents.

The VIN number coincides with the PTS and on the body | The HS code is checked on the basis of the FCS | The cost is not lowered by more than 15% | All photos are clear and correspond to the declaration-->

Step 3: Calculating duties and taxes

Calculation formula for individuals (2026):

Duty = (Customs Value × Fee Rate) + Excise (if applicable) + VAT (20%)

Example Audi Q7 3.0 TDI (cost 60,000 EUR, engine 3000 cm3):

• Fee: 60,000 × 15% = 9,000 EUR
• Excise tax: 3000 cm3 × 3 EUR = 9 000 EUR (for diesel cars older than 3 years, excise duty is not applied)
• VAT: (60 000 + 9 000 + 9 000) × 20% = 15 600 EUR
• Total payment: 33,600 EUR

How to check the code of TH VED

Use the official FCS classifier at the link: [https://www.customs.ru](https://www.customs.ru). Enter the make, model and year of release - the system will select the current code. An error in the code can lead to a recalculation of fees upwards of 5-10%.

3. Sample of completed customs declaration for the car

Below is a sample of the correctly completed declaration for Skoda Octavia 1.6 MPI (2023, cost 22 000 EUR, import for personal use):

Count 31 (TN FEAD): 8703.22.190.0

Box 33 (Description): Skoda Octavia 1.6 MPI, sedan body, metallic color "Quartz grey", VIN: TMBJ7NE0M1234567

Count 38 (Year of issue): 2023

Count 44 (VIN): TMBJJ7NE0M1234567

Box 47 (Cost): 22 000 EUR

Pay attention to the nuances:

• 🔠 Colour is shown in column 33. exactly ("Quartz gray," not just "gray").
• 📏 Box 40 (weight) indicates curb-weight (1,280 kg), not gross weight.
• 💶 In column 47, the cost is rounded to hundreds of euros (22,000 instead of 21,850) to avoid questions about penny discrepancies.

4. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

According to the FCS, 40% of declarations on cars are returned for revision due to errors. Here are the most common:

⚠️ Attention.If a typo is made in box 44 (VIN) even in one character, customs may consider this as an attempt to change the car. Check the VIN three times: in the PTS, on the body (under the windshield or on the driver's door counter) and in the declaration.

• 🔢 Wrong code for TH VADE - for example, Hyundai Tucson with a diesel engine indicate the code for gasoline cars. This leads to underpayment of excise duty (for diesel engines it is higher).
• 💰 Underestimation More than 15 percent. The FCS compares your price to the base TAXUD and market data Autostat.
• 📅 Mistake in the year of release. If the car is released in December 2022, but refers to the model of 2023, specify 2023.
• ⚖️ Weight mismatch. Point out load-stock (the weight of the car without passengers, but with fuel and spare wheel), not gross weight.

How to avoid problems:

1. Use it. FCS calculator To check the HS code.
2. Check VIN against the database. VIN-Checker It will show the real year of release and completeness.
3. If you are in doubt about the cost, ask for it. pre-decision (30 days before importation). It'll protect you from extra charges.

5. Features of declaring different types of cars

The rules for filling out the declaration vary depending on the type of vehicle. Let's look at the key nuances:

New cars (0 km)

• 📋 Required. certificate (usually) EAEU or OTTS).
• 💵 Fee is calculated by full-time (excluding wear and tear).
• 🔋 For electric (e.g., Tesla Model 3) the fee is reduced to 10% subject to battery certification.

Used vehicles (b/y)

• 📉 The cost is adjusted with account wear-and-wear (Enoughly less than 10% of the original price).
• 🔧 If the mileage exceeds 100,000. km, may be required diagnostic (To confirm the technical condition).
• 🚗 For cars older than 7 years are valid fee-rate (e.g. for Toyota Land Cruiser 200 In 2015, 5% instead of 15%.

Electric cars and hybrids

For these categories, there are special rules:

• ⚡ For fully electric (e.g., Nissan Leaf) duty reduced to 10% provided that the engine power does not exceed 150 kW.
• ⛽ For hybrid (e.g., Toyota RAV4 Hybrid) the standard rate applies, but no excise duty is charged if the ICE volume is less than 3,000 cm3.
• 🔋 In column 31, specify an additional code 8507.60.000.0 Battery battery (if imported separately)

6. What to do after submitting a declaration

After the registration process is completed. Here's what you're going to do next:

1. Checking documents (1-3 days). Customs checks the declaration data with the PTS, contract and photos. If everything is okay, you get it. declaration number (e.g., 10203010/010124/0001234).
2. Payment of fees. Details for payment will come to the personal account on the website of the FCS. Use it. bank transfer only - Cash is not accepted.
3. Customs inspection (selectively). If your car is in the sample, you will have to provide the car for inspection. Check VIN, color, equipment and the presence of undeclared changes.
4. Obtaining a release permit. After paying fees and passing the inspection, you receive DT (declaration for goods) "Pleased" marked.

⚠️ Attention.: If you don't fit in 10 days. from the moment of filing the declaration before payment of fees, the customs has the right to cancel the registration. In this case, you will have to start the process again and pay a fine of 5,000 rubles.

After obtaining the release permit:

• 📝 Register your car with the DVD during the 10 days. (Otherwise a fine of 1,500–2,000 rubles).
• 🔄 If you find an error in the declaration post-releaseserve correction shape TD-3). Only non-critical errors (e.g., a typo in color) can be corrected.

7. How much does the customs clearance of the car in 2026

The cost of customs clearance consists of three components: duty, excise duty (if applicable) and VAT. Consider the current rates for 2026:

Type of vehicle	polina	Excise duty	VAT	Exemplary total rate
New cars (up to 3 years)	15–25%	3 to 50 EUR per 1 cm3 (depending on engine type)	20%	40–60%
Used car (3-7 years old)	10–15%	From 1 to 20 EUR per 1 cm3	20%	30–45%
Cars over 7 years old	5–10%	Not applicable	20%	25–30%
Electric cars	10%	Not applicable	20%	30%

Example of calculation Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2.0 (2021, cost 45 000 EUR, engine capacity 1991 cm3):

• Fee: 45,000 × 15% = 6,750 EUR
• Excise tax: 1991 × 10 EUR = 19,910 EUR (rate for petrol cars 3-5 years)
• VAT: (45 000 + 6 750 + 19 910) × 20% = 14 332 EUR
• Total: 41,000 EUR (91% of the cost of the car)

Ways to reduce costs:

• 📑 Take advantage. relief (Exemption from duties on import of one car every 3 years).
• 🔄 If you import a car from the EAEU (for example, from Kazakhstan), duties are not paid, but are required. certificate CT-1.
• 💡 For commercial vehicles (e.g., Ford Transit) may be applied deduction (Refund of up to 30% of the fees, subject to the conditions).

8. Frequent questions about customs declaration on the car

Can I fill out the declaration without a broker?

Yeah, the law doesn't forbid that. However, in practice, 70% of independent declarations are returned for revision. If you are not sure about the code of the HS or customs value, it is better to contact a broker (the cost of the service is 10 000-20 000 rubles). The broker will also help to speed up the process: with it, customs clearance takes 3-5 days instead of 2-3 weeks.

What happens if the car is incorrectly priced?

If the cost is understated by more than 15%, the FCS initiates an inspection. At best, you will be obliged to pay additional difference + penalties (0.1% for each day of delay). At worst, they will initiate an administrative offence (a fine of up to 300% of the arrears). For example, when undervalued Porsche Cayenne For 20,000 EUR, the fine can be up to 60,000 EUR.

Do I need to declare tuning (tinting, cast discs, alarms)?

Yes, if the cost of tuning exceeds 5% of the price of the car. For example, if you have brought in BMW 5-series for 50 000 EUR and installed cast discs for 3 000 EUR (6% of the cost), they must be indicated in the declaration as a separate item with the code HS 8708.70.990.0 ("parts and accessories"). Undeclared tuning can be a reason for inspection and fine.

How long is the customs declaration valid after the release of the car?

The declaration is valid indefinitely, but its data must correspond to the current condition of the car. If you sell a car, the new owner must re-register it to the traffic police within 10 days. When changing the specifications (for example, replacing the engine) it is required to submit declaration-correction shape TD-3).

Can I get a car without PTS?

No, the PTS is a mandatory document. If you do not have one (for example, a car from the United States or Japan), you will need to register it. duplicate through the manufacturer or authorized dealer. For this you need: a contract of sale, VIN, data of the seller. The procedure takes 2-4 weeks and costs 5,000-15,000 rubles.