German authorities apply EU sanctions to deter the movement of Russian vehicles and other goods, a policy that has led to the detention of personal cars arriving in Germany from Russia. This stance was reiterated in response to a query about the possibility of entering Germany by car with Russian registration, a clarification reported by RBC that cites official department remarks.
According to the sanctions framework, passenger cars imported from Russia into the European Union are prohibited under Article 3i of Regulation 833/2014. This article establishes the embargo on assets linked to Russia and defines the scope of what counts as import. In practice, the term import encompasses all forms of goods movement, including transit, entry, and distribution within EU borders. The embargo applies broadly and does not carve out exceptions for the specific scenarios described in the inquiry.
In English-language summaries, Article 3i is stated to prohibit the acquisition, import, or transfer of goods that generate substantial income for Russia when those goods originate in Russia or are of Russian origin. The document also uses the German term Einfuhr, which can carry a broader meaning than the precise customs-oriented definition of import. This nuance has been highlighted by RBC in its interpretation of how the regulation is intended to function in practice for goods entering the EU from Russia.
Separately, there were earlier reports that Volkswagen had introduced an updated crossover model, the T-Cross, signaling ongoing developments in the automotive sector alongside the evolving sanctions environment. The juxtaposition of vehicle movements and policy measures underscores how regulatory actions intersect with the dynamics of car manufacturing and export activity in Europe. This broader context helps explain why certain questions about Russian-registered vehicles in EU countries attract close scrutiny from authorities and industry observers. [Cited: RBC]