After changes to the recycling fee schedule and an increase in its rate, several Russians who ordered vehicles from overseas discovered that the recycling charge could match or even exceed the purchase price of the car. This development has been reported by the news outlet BFM.ru and echoed by industry observers. The shift stems from amendments to the government decree on recycling fees, which took effect on October 29 and set a higher rate for entities involved in import and customs procedures, especially when the cars come from member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. The EAEU comprises Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. In one notable case, a vehicle ordered at auction in the United States was certified by a legal entity registered in Armenia, triggering the elevated fee in the importing process. [BFM.ru]
The practical impact is that the fee is now calculated at the level applicable to legal entities, rather than that for individual importers, whenever a corporate entity is involved in the import chain. Experts explained that this nuance can lead to substantial increases for buyers who previously faced a much smaller charge. A car owner who engaged an Armenian intermediary described discovering the policy only by chance, and said that the initial expectation was a modest fee of around 5,000 rubles. Instead, the consumer faced a charge of roughly 1.27 million rubles, a sum that dwarfs the original vehicle price and creates a financial shock for ordinary buyers. The situation has sparked frustration among buyers who relied on earlier interpretations of the rules and suggests a need for clearer guidance from customs authorities. [BFM.ru]
Several buyers affected by these changes have begun requesting a temporary suspension of the new rules while old transactions are finalized, a request directed at customs authorities. The aim is to create a grace period or moratorium that would prevent retroactive application of the amended fee structure to completed deals. Industry analysts note that the retroactive aspect of the regulation is what causes the most concern, as it affects contracts that were already in motion or closed under previous interpretations. Observers stress the importance of predictable policy, especially for people who plan multi-step purchases across borders within the Eurasian marketplace. [BFM.ru]
In context, Russia has historically seen strong activity in vehicle imports, with a record number of cars entering the country in many months. The latest change underscores how shifts in administrative rules can dramatically alter the total cost of ownership for imported vehicles, even when the underlying market conditions for these cars remain unchanged. Stakeholders emphasize the need for transparent, well-communicated procedures so buyers can anticipate fees and avoid unexpected financial burdens. [BFM.ru]