State Duma deputy Ivan Sukharev has addressed Finance Minister Anton Siluanov with a proposal to grant residents a preferential right to import vehicles from abroad, as reported by RT. The idea aims to ease access to cars amid ongoing supply disruptions and factory shutdowns affecting many brands.
Today, the auto market faces a challenging landscape. Deliveries for numerous brands have slowed or halted, production lines are idle in many places, and the deficit of vehicles is widening. In this climate, importing a car for personal use from overseas becomes an option many people briefly considered. Yet, the current tax regime makes this path financially unattractive—the excise duty on cars imported into Russia for ownership does not exceed three years in age and sits in the 48 to 54 percent range, depending on the vehicle’s price.
As a result, a consumer ends up paying an excise tax that amounts to roughly half the value of the imported car. In response, the Commissioner has suggested a reduced duty of 5 percent to lower the immediate cost of bringing in a vehicle from abroad for personal use.
There is a caveat: under the proposed scheme, a person would be allowed to register only one imported car within a five-year window. For any additional vehicles, the existing excise rates of 48 to 54 percent would still apply during that period.
In addition to the duty change, the deputy recommends the government maintain a list of vehicle models that may qualify for the reduced rate. The proposal envisions a government-managed catalog identifying eligible models, enabling easier access for buyers who meet the criteria.
The current situation underscores the tension between supply constraints and consumer demand. If implemented, the approach could offer a temporary relief by reducing the upfront tax burden on a single import per person while preserving higher rates for subsequent imports. The proposal reflects a balancing act between encouraging domestic stabilization and allowing individual buyers to participate in cross-border purchases under a simplified framework.
As discussions continue, the government and lawmakers will weigh potential impacts on domestic manufacturers, market competition, and revenue collection. Stakeholders are watching to see whether a formal list of eligible vehicles will emerge and how the five-year restriction would be enforced in practice. The evolving policy landscape remains a critical factor for consumers planning to import vehicles in the near term.
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