Decree No. 1269, signed by Mikhail Mishustin on July 15, introduces a streamlined path for bringing used foreign cars into Russia, easing several barriers at once. As previously reported by Za Rulem, the requirement to retrofit imported cars with the ERA-GLONASS module for both individuals and legal entities will be canceled from now through February 2023. For legal entities, there is an additional notable nuance worth noting.
The same resolution also revises the definition of a single vehicle. Alongside the existing description, it now states that a vehicle is also defined as “a wheeled vehicle imported into the territory of the Russian Federation by legal entities or individual entrepreneurs.”
Earlier, private entrepreneurs faced a restriction on importing cars on a per-unit basis if the vehicle age exceeded three years. This condition appears in the technical regulations of the customs union, titled “On the safety of wheeled vehicles.” The current decree effectively removes that rule, indicating that legal entities are not required to obtain OTTS anymore. This shift broadens the avenues for corporate buyers to participate in the vehicle market without the prior age limitation.
For the importing process, it is sufficient to obtain the conclusion of an expert organization, such as NAMI, which replaces the SBKTS in this role. In practical terms, the procedure for bringing used foreign cars into Russia for companies is now closer to the process for private individuals, creating new opportunities for parallel importing by businesses.
Industry observers note several implications. The domestic auto sector has adapted to the new market conditions, demonstrating resilience in a crisis environment with fresh models and pricing strategies. Yet there is a foreseeable impact on insurance costs, as OSAGO premiums are likely to adjust upward in response to the evolving risk landscape and market dynamics. This shift could influence total ownership costs for both individuals and corporate fleets. [Attribution: Za Rulem; Russian Automotive Federation; industry analysis reports]
In public discourse, coverage of these changes appears across various social platforms and automotive communities, reflecting how drivers and businesses assess the practical consequences of the decree. [Citation: industry roundups and automotive portals] The overall trajectory suggests more flexible import rules and a potential reshaping of how foreign vehicles enter the Russian market, with significant implications for procurement strategies and regulatory compliance for importers and dealers alike.