The Ministry of Industry and Trade has endorsed a proposal supported by Russia’s leading automakers to defer the payment of recycling fees into 2023 and 2024. This development was reported by TASS, citing remarks by Albert Karimov, the ministry’s deputy head, during a session with the Federation Council. According to the agency, industry representatives identified the postponement as a critical relief measure and the ministry signaled active consideration of extending the deadline for the recycling fee and pushing the due date further into the future. The ministry stressed that it is engaging with its colleagues to explore these options and find a workable path forward for automakers facing liquidity challenges amid current market conditions .
Public discussions highlighted that several major manufacturers, including AvtoVAZ, KamAZ, GAZ, Moskvich and TASS as a media partner, were involved in proposing a delay for the recycling fee. The ministry’s proposal contemplates postponing the fourth quarter 2023 fee and extending the obligation for three-quarters of 2024 until December 2024. The aim is to provide automakers with breathing room while the sector navigates ongoing financial pressures and uncertainty in demand .
Earlier statements from Maxim Sokolov, who previously served as president of AvtoVAZ, indicated that the company would contribute approximately 60 billion rubles to the state budget despite the proposed deferral. The dialogue surrounding these fiscal adjustments reflects a broader policy approach intended to stabilize the automotive industry by balancing corporate liquidity needs with budgetary considerations and long-term industry health. Stakeholders note that such timing adjustments could help preserve production continuity, protect jobs, and sustain supplier networks across the sector .
Industry observers emphasize that the decision on fee deferrals must align with broader economic objectives and the government’s fiscal framework. If approved, the extension would represent a short- to mid-term shift in revenue collection, allowing automakers to allocate resources toward investment, modernization, and meeting environmental compliance obligations without immediate monetary strain. Analysts caution that the outcome will depend on formal approvals, precise scheduling, and continuous coordination between ministries, manufacturers, and budget planners. In the meantime, the discussions underscore the government’s willingness to support strategic sectors while evaluating tax and fee policies in response to evolving market realities .