Russia is one of the largest destinations for Chinese vehicles, reached overland via the Khorgos, Suifenhe and Manzhouli (Zabaykalsk) border crossings by road and rail. Rules follow the EAEU framework with strict Euro 5 and mandatory ERA-GLONASS.
What are the rules for importing a car from China into Russia?
Age limit: Used vehicles up to 5 years old (from production date); minimum Euro 5 emission. Over 3 years needs SBKTS certification.
Import duty & taxes: Over 3 yr: customs duty ~25% of CIF (under 3 yr 23% but not less than €0.5–1.5/cc). VAT 20% of (CIF + duty). Excise by engine power. Recycling (utilization) fee ~US$200–400 for used; from 1 Dec 2025 the fee is calculated by engine power (HP) — over 160 HP rises sharply. Electric vehicles: reduced duty (BEV/PHEV ~15% or duty-free to 2028 in some cases).
Used vehicles up to 5 years old (from production date); minimum Euro 5 emission. Over 3 years needs SBKTS certification.
Steering
Left-hand drive only (right-hand drive prohibited).
Import duty & taxes
Over 3 yr: customs duty ~25% of CIF (under 3 yr 23% but not less than €0.5–1.5/cc). VAT 20% of (CIF + duty). Excise by engine power. Recycling (utilization) fee ~US$200–400 for used; from 1 Dec 2025 the fee is calculated by engine power (HP) — over 160 HP rises sharply. Electric vehicles: reduced duty (BEV/PHEV ~15% or duty-free to 2028 in some cases).
Main ports / entry
Overland via the Khorgos, Suifenhe and Manzhouli (Zabaykalsk) border crossings by road and rail from China. Note: Russian buyers usually search in Russian via Yandex.
SBKTS / OTTC certificate, GOST-R or EAC certificate, customs union declaration, original title, purchase invoice, bill of lading.
Figures indicative and changing fast — Russia overhauled the recycling fee from 1 Dec 2025 (now by engine power, rising ~10–20% yearly to 2030) and tightened used-car rules. Confirm with Russian customs. Sources: Eurasian Economic Commission, EAEU technical regulation TR CU 018/2011 (eec.eaeunion.org); Government of the Russian Federation (government.ru). Last reviewed 2026-09.
EZ Auto is based in China (Zhengzhou, Henan) with 15–20 years in the country's car export trade. We export new and used cars built in China to Russia via the Khorgos, Suifenhe and Manzhouli (Zabaykalsk) land border crossings by road and rail, handling China export clearance and full documentation. Local import clearance is arranged by the buyer or a licensed Russian broker; we provide all paperwork and guidance. We do not operate a local office in Russia.
FAQ
Can EZ Auto ship cars to Russia?
Yes. We export new and used Chinese vehicles to Russia via the Khorgos, Suifenhe and Manzhouli (Zabaykalsk) land border crossings by road and rail, with full export documents. Import clearance is handled by you or a local broker; we supply all paperwork.
Do you handle import clearance in my country?
Export clearance in China is on us. Import clearance is handled by you or your local broker; we supply all documents and advise on requirements per country.
How long does shipping from China to Russia take?
Overland road freight to Russia via the Khorgos, Suifenhe and Manzhouli (Zabaykalsk) border crossings usually takes about 12–20 days from China, while rail through the same EAEU corridors takes roughly 15–25 days. Transit times move with season, border formalities and carrier schedules, so we confirm the current timing for your route before shipment.
Do cars built in China need ERA-GLONASS for Russia?
Yes. Russia requires the ERA-GLONASS emergency call system for vehicle type approval, alongside the EAEU technical regulation TR CU 018/2011 and Euro 5 emissions. We confirm the exact certification status of the specific model before you order, because retrofitting after arrival is costly and sometimes impossible. Always verify the current requirement with Russian customs or your broker.
What is the Russian recycling fee and who pays it?
Russia charges a recycling (utilisation) fee on imported vehicles, calculated on engine capacity and, for newer rules from late 2025, increasingly on engine power. The importer of record pays it at clearance. The rate changes periodically, so we do not quote a fixed figure — we tell you how it is assessed and advise you to confirm the current rate with your Russian broker before shipping.
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