A Bentley Turbo R linked to a U.S. citizen was seized in Crimea, according to the press service of the Federal Customs Service (FCS). Authorities cited a breach of the rules governing import into the territory of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) as the reason for the action.
The vehicle is a 1990 model. In 2015, a U.S. citizen imported the car from Massachusetts through the Dzhankoy checkpoint, a point in northern Crimea. Under temporary import regulations, the vehicle was expected to be removed from Russian territory within a year or subjected to a different customs procedure.
Customs officers determined that the owner had departed Russia and left the Bentley under the control of a trusted person in Crimea. The outstanding duties and penalties accumulated to approximately 4.6 million rubles.
In December, the Crimean State Council chair noted that the republic’s budget in 2023 gained 1.86 billion rubles from the sale of 25 nationalized pieces of property connected to businessmen associated with the Kiev government. This milestone was presented as part of ongoing efforts to manage assets tied to political changes in the region.
Earlier reports in Crimea indicated a sizeable amount of property sold by Ukrainian supporters over the course of the year, reflecting broader financial and administrative shifts tied to the status of the peninsula.
The case underscores the stricter enforcement of import rules in border regions and the financial consequences tied to non-compliance. It also illustrates how asset nationalization and related sales can impact regional budgets, especially in areas with complex political and legal histories. For residents and foreign nationals alike, the incident highlights the importance of understanding temporary import obligations, ownership transfers, and the potential for long-term penalties when those obligations are not met. The legal landscape in Crimea continues to evolve as authorities pursue compliance and monitor asset dispositions in connection with ongoing geopolitical developments. (Source: Federal Customs Service communications; regional government updates.)