How do you import a car from Japan to Russia, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
EAEU customs duty (roughly 30% of value, or a EUR-per-cc floor — whichever is higher) + 20% VAT + a recycling fee (small for personal import, large for commercial).
Car import duty calculator for Russia
Russia has a long history of importing used Japanese cars, and the Far Eastern port city of Vladivostok has historically been the primary entry point — Japanese auction stock can reach the port in a matter of days by sea, and the Russian Far East has a strong culture of right-hand-drive Japanese cars as a result. The wider Russian market, including Moscow and Saint Petersburg, receives cars transported overland from Vladivostok after they clear customs. Both RHD and LHD cars are importable, though Western Russia generally prefers LHD for comfort. The import cost structure is governed by EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union) rules: customs duty is roughly 30% of the declared value (or a EUR-per-cc floor, whichever is higher), 20% VAT applies on the import value, and a recycling fee (утилизационный сбор) is levied — small for personal imports, substantially larger for commercial imports. An additional horsepower-based excise tax applies at registration. The full cost calculation is complex.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Russia?
- Steering
- Right- and left-hand drive
- Age limit
- No hard age cap; duty tiers by age/engine; recycling fee applies.
- Inspection
- SBKTS / EPTS
- Special rules
- Sanctions change importable models/specs frequently — confirm before committing.
- Entry ports
- Port of Vladivostok
How do you import a car from Japan to Russia, step by step?
Check the import rules
No hard age cap; duty tiers by age/engine; recycling fee applies. Russia accepts both left- and right-hand-drive vehicles, subject to its registration checks.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase in Japan the car's registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued. An English translation of it is needed for customs and registration in Russia.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Russia: SBKTS / EPTS.
Ship to Vladivostok
Cars from Japan arrive at Vladivostok. Sea transit is about 4–6 days. The shipping line issues the bill of lading, which customs needs for the entry.
Lodge the customs entry and pay the taxes
A licensed clearing agent lodges the import declaration with the invoice, bill of lading and export certificate. Customs assesses EAEU Customs Duty and VAT; the rates are in the duty table on this page.
Register the car
After customs release and payment of port charges, the car is registered and plated by Russia's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Russia charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| EAEU Customs Duty (approx) | 30% | CIF value |
| VAT | 20% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
EAEU Customs Duty (approx)
Rate: 30%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT
Rate: 20%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Russia applies EAEU customs duty of roughly 30% of the car's customs value, subject to a minimum floor calculated in EUR per cc of engine displacement — if the per-cc floor exceeds 30% of value, the floor applies. On top of duty you pay 20% VAT on the import value. A recycling fee (утилизационный сбор) is also mandatory — the personal-import rate is much lower than the commercial rate, so the import basis matters. At registration, a horsepower-based excise duty is assessed. All of these figures depend on the car's age, engine size, declared value and import basis, making manual calculation essential.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Russia?
Worked examples are not shown for this market. Use the calculator below with your own car.
How long does shipping take, and which ports?
| Port | Method | Transit (days) | Freight from (sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vladivostok | RoRo or container | 4–6 | US$400 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Russia?
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
One of the most popular Japanese imports into Russia's Far East — right-hand drive, reliable and with a small engine that keeps the EAEU per-cc duty and horsepower excise at a manageable level.
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
A compact, fuel-efficient car with a small engine — the low cc count keeps the EAEU duty floor lower, making it one of the more cost-effective Japanese imports for Russian buyers.
- Models and prices
Toyota Probox
A practical Japanese domestic wagon that works hard in Russian conditions. Low running costs and a durable build suit the long distances between cities in the Russian Far East and Siberia.
- Models and prices
Mazda Demio
A small engine keeps EAEU customs costs in check, and the Demio's compact size suits urban driving in Vladivostok, Khabarovsk and other Far East cities.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
Light, economical and cheap to run — the Swift's small engine limits the per-cc duty floor and keeps the horsepower excise low, making it a sensible budget choice for Russian buyers.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Russia?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vladivostok | Vladivostok | US$100 | US$120 | 1 |
| Moscow | Vladivostok | US$3,290 | US$4,110 | 13 |
| Saint Petersburg | Vladivostok | US$3,350 | US$4,190 | 13 |
| Novosibirsk | Vladivostok | US$1,950 | US$2,440 | 13 |
| Yekaterinburg | Vladivostok | US$2,620 | US$3,280 | 13 |
| Khabarovsk | Vladivostok | US$430 | US$540 | 3 |
How do you avoid scams when buying a car from Japan?
- Check that the exporter is a registered Japanese company: look up its corporate number and address, and prefer members of the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association.
- Ask for the original auction sheet and, after purchase, the export certificate. Both name the chassis number, which should match the invoice.
- Pay only to a company bank account in the exporter's name, never to a personal account or a money-transfer agent.
AVON INTERNATIONAL company and licence details are on the About page, and the JUMVEA member list is public. JUMVEA (exporters association) · About AVON INTERNATIONAL · Is buying a car from Japan safe?
Frequently asked questions
- How is EAEU customs duty calculated for a Japanese car in Russia?
- EAEU duty is roughly 30% of the car's customs value, subject to a per-cc floor in EUR. If the per-cc minimum exceeds 30% of value, the floor rate applies. This is why a smaller engine often means lower customs cost.
- What is the recycling fee and how much is it?
- The recycling fee (утилизационный сбор) is mandatory on all imported vehicles in Russia. The personal-import rate is substantially lower than the commercial rate. The exact amount depends on engine size and vehicle category.
- Can I import a right-hand-drive Japanese car to Russia?
- Yes — both RHD and LHD are permitted in Russia. The Russian Far East has a strong RHD culture due to proximity to Japan. Western Russian cities like Moscow generally prefer LHD for convenience, and Japan also produces LHD export-spec cars available at auction.
- What is SBKTS and do I need it?
- SBKTS is the Russian vehicle safety approval (Одобрение типа транспортного средства) required for Russian registration of individually imported cars. It is separate from the EPTS electronic passport.
- How far is Vladivostok from Moscow by road?
- Vladivostok is roughly 9,000 km from Moscow by road — inland transport for a car to the capital adds approximately $1,900 for a sedan.
Car import duty calculator for Russia
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Estimate only. Duties are assessed by customs on arrival, freight rates move, and rules change. Check current figures before you buy.