Russia to increase scrappage tax in 2027: Commercial imported vehicles to see a 10%–20% tax hike starting January 1. What does it mean for China's auto exports?
Russia’s Scrap Tax Hike in 2027: Commercial Import Vehicle Rates to Rise by 10%–20% Starting January 1. What Does It Mean for China’s Auto Exports?
YiAuto · October 6, 2026
One-sentence summary: Starting January 1, 2027, Russia will raise the coefficient for the scrap tax (utilizsbor) on commercially imported vehicles. The rate for fuel-powered passenger cars will increase by approximately 10%, while certain trucks, buses and special-purpose vehicles will see a maximum 20% rise. Preferential tax rates for personal imports (3,400 / 5,200 rubles) remain unchanged. The scrap tax is calculated based on the customs declaration registration date; vehicles cleared within 2026 will not be affected. However, dealers expect imported vehicle prices to start rising as early as November–December 2026.
What Happened
This increase follows a timeline already established under Russian Government Resolution No. 1713 dated November 1, 2025, which set the coefficients for the coming years in one ruling (TKS.ru, 2026-10-02).
Scrap Tax = Base Rate × Coefficient. The base rate for passenger cars stands at 20,000 rubles, and the final amount depends on engine displacement, power output, vehicle age and the status of the payer. 160 horsepower has become a critical threshold.
Example of scrap tax for commercial imports of new passenger cars (per TKS.ru):
New Passenger Cars
Russia’s Scrap Tax Hike in 2027: Commercial Import Vehicle Rates to Rise by 10%–20% Starting January 1. What Does It Mean for China’s Auto Exports?
YiAuto · October 6, 2026
One-sentence summary: Starting January 1, 2027, Russia will raise the coefficient for the scrap tax (utilizsbor) on commercially imported vehicles. The rate for fuel-powered passenger cars will increase by approximately 10%, while certain trucks, buses and special-purpose vehicles will see a maximum 20% rise. Preferential tax rates for personal imports (3,400 / 5,200 rubles) remain unchanged. The scrap tax is calculated based on the customs declaration registration date; vehicles cleared within 2026 will not be affected. However, dealers expect imported vehicle prices to start rising as early as November–December 2026.
What Happened
This increase follows a timeline already established under Russian Government Resolution No. 1713 dated November 1, 2025, which set the coefficients for the coming years in one ruling (TKS.ru, 2026-10-02).
Scrap Tax = Base Rate × Coefficient. The base rate for passenger cars stands at 20,000 rubles, and the final amount depends on engine displacement, power output, vehicle age and the status of the payer. 160 horsepower has become a critical threshold.
Example of scrap tax for commercial imports of new passenger cars (per TKS.ru):
New Passenger Cars
2026
2027
1–2 L, ≤160 hp
800,800 rubles
880,800 rubles
1–2 L, 160–190 hp
900,000 rubles
990,000 rubles
2–3 L, ≤160 hp
2,250,400 rubles
2,475,600 rubles
Under the schedule, the scrap tax for new 1–2 L vehicles with ≤160 hp will rise further to 969,000 rubles in 2028, 1,065,800 rubles in 2029 and 1,172,400 rubles in 2030.
Key details:
• Calculation date: Tax is determined by the coefficient effective on the date the customs declaration is registered. Vehicles cleared by dealers in December and sold in January will still apply the 2026 tax rate; contract signing date alone does not set scrap tax liability.
• Personal preferential rate retained with conditions: Limited to personal use, ≤160 hp and ≤3 L engine displacement. The vehicle must be registered under the taxpayer’s name and cannot be resold within 12 months. If conditions are breached, back payment will be required using the commercial coefficient in force at the recalculation date, meaning higher costs for any supplementary payment in 2027.
• Market shift toward localisation: Autostat data shows locally assembled passenger cars accounted for 64.1% of Russia’s market in August 2026, up 11 percentage points year-on-year (per TKS.ru).
Market Reaction: Nikolai Ivanov, Director of New Car Sales at major Russian dealer Rolf, predicts sellers will factor next year’s scrap tax increase into prices from November–December 2026, even for existing vehicles imported under the old tax rate. He believes price hikes will mainly apply to parallel-imported vehicles, while locally assembled models will not see adjustments linked to scrap tax changes. Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade stated the phased increase aims to encourage localised production (St. Petersburg Journal citing RBC St. Petersburg, 2026-10-04).
Related Background: Price rises have already begun. In September 2026, 14 brands adjusted pricing in Russia, 13 of which raised prices, including Geely, Omoda, Changan UNI, Jaecoo, Jeland, Tenet and Deepal (Lenta.ru, 2026-10-01). China is also tightening oversight: The Ministry of Commerce requires applicants for 2027 auto export permits to upload proof of overseas after-sales service outlets (e.g., no fewer than 50 outlets for Class 1 auto manufacturers) and submit commitments for compliant overseas operations to standardise price management (Ministry of Commerce, 2026-09-30).
YiAuto Viewpoints
1. Go by customs clearance date, not order date. To clear vehicles under the 2026 tax rate, transit lead times must be counted backward from December 31; the window is limited.
2. Retail price increases do not equal scrap tax increases. Ruble exchange rates, procurement costs, logistics and discounts all affect end pricing. We recommend calculating total landed costs separately for each shipment instead of applying average markup estimates.
3. Imported vehicles compete via product selection and delivery speed. Local assembly already accounts for nearly two-thirds of the Russian market. Opportunities for imports lie in models and configurations unavailable locally, used cars and fast delivery of in-stock units.
4. Costs and risks for grey channels are rising. Importing under an individual’s name for later resale triggers back payments under the new coefficients, while China is tightening export controls. Sourcing from qualified exporters with complete documentation and formal customs clearance has become essential.
What This Means for Buyers in Russia and Central Asia
Russian Dealers and Importers:
• Verify customs declaration registration times for in-transit vehicles and planned batches to see if clearance can be completed before 31 December 2026;
• Recalculate costs for 2027 shipments using new coefficients, especially for models above 160 hp and with 2–3 L displacement;
• Anticipate price increases from competitors, including official channels of Chinese brands. Whether imported vehicles retain price advantages depends on proper model selection and procurement cost control.
Central Asian Buyers:
• Scrap tax is a Russian levy. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and other countries enforce their own import regulations. Russia’s tax hike does not automatically raise your import duties;
• If vehicles later enter Russia, Russian scrap tax will be charged at the rate effective on the calculation date. Confirm the plan with your customs broker before transactions.
What YiAuto Can Offer
• Dual-warehouse inventory: A large selection of new and used vehicles is held at the Chengdu warehouse (Sichuan) for on-site inspection. The pre-positioned warehouse at the Khorgos Port enables nearby customs clearance and export to shorten dispatch lead times.
• Nationwide vehicle sourcing: New vehicles focus on Chinese brands; used cars are sourced nationwide matching budgets and requirements.
• Clear quotation terms: Khorgos FOB price or Ussuriysk CIP price available, with quotations delivered within 1 hour.
• One-stop service: Vehicle selection, pre-shipment inspection (photos and videos for confirmation before loading), Chinese export documentation and customs declaration, highway or rail transport, delivery, with full-process tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. When and by how much will Russia’s scrap tax rise in 2027? Starting January 1, 2027. The coefficient for commercially imported fuel-powered passenger cars rises by about 10%, and certain trucks, buses and special-purpose vehicles rise by up to 20%. For example, the scrap tax for new 1–2 L vehicles with ≤160 hp will increase from 800,800 rubles to 880,800 rubles (TKS.ru).
2. Will vehicles cleared in 2026 be affected? No. Scrap tax uses the coefficient on customs declaration registration date. Units registered in 2026 apply 2026 tax rates even if sold in 2027. However, final selling prices are set by sellers.
3. Will Chinese brand vehicles become more expensive in Russia? Most likely, mainly for commercially imported and parallel-imported vehicles. Rolf forecasts price hikes starting November–December 2026, while locally assembled models are not expected to see scrap-tax-related price adjustments. Thirteen out of 14 brands already raised prices in September 2026.
4. Does FOB or CIP quotation include scrap tax? No. FOB means the seller delivers goods at the loading location within China; CIP means the seller covers freight and insurance to a named destination (Ussuriysk for YiAuto). Russian import levies (customs duty, VAT, scrap tax) are borne by the importer. Confirm full landed costs including clearance with your customs broker.
5. Will the preferential scrap tax for personal-use imports change? No. Rates remain 3,400 rubles for vehicles under 3 years old and 5,200 rubles for vehicles older than 3 years. Conditions still apply: personal use, ≤160 hp, ≤3 L engine displacement and no resale within 12 months. Breaching conditions requires back payment under commercial coefficients.
Calculate for Your Shipment
Send us brand, model, quantity, configuration and budget, and receive your Khorgos FOB or Ussuriysk CIP quotation within 1 hour. 📞 WhatsApp / Telegram / WeChat: +86 187 8108 6568 · ✉️ yiauto001@outlook.com
This article is for reference only and does not constitute customs or legal advice. Final tax calculations should be confirmed with your customs broker.
Under the schedule, the scrap tax for new 1–2 L vehicles with ≤160 hp will rise further to 969,000 rubles in 2028, 1,065,800 rubles in 2029 and 1,172,400 rubles in 2030.
Key details:
• Calculation date: Tax is determined by the coefficient effective on the date the customs declaration is registered. Vehicles cleared by dealers in December and sold in January will still apply the 2026 tax rate; contract signing date alone does not set scrap tax liability.
• Personal preferential rate retained with conditions: Limited to personal use, ≤160 hp and ≤3 L engine displacement. The vehicle must be registered under the taxpayer’s name and cannot be resold within 12 months. If conditions are breached, back payment will be required using the commercial coefficient in force at the recalculation date, meaning higher costs for any supplementary payment in 2027.
• Market shift toward localisation: Autostat data shows locally assembled passenger cars accounted for 64.1% of Russia’s market in August 2026, up 11 percentage points year-on-year (per TKS.ru).
Market Reaction: Nikolai Ivanov, Director of New Car Sales at major Russian dealer Rolf, predicts sellers will factor next year’s scrap tax increase into prices from November–December 2026, even for existing vehicles imported under the old tax rate. He believes price hikes will mainly apply to parallel-imported vehicles, while locally assembled models will not see adjustments linked to scrap tax changes. Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade stated the phased increase aims to encourage localised production (St. Petersburg Journal citing RBC St. Petersburg, 2026-10-04).
Related Background: Price rises have already begun. In September 2026, 14 brands adjusted pricing in Russia, 13 of which raised prices, including Geely, Omoda, Changan UNI, Jaecoo, Jeland, Tenet and Deepal (Lenta.ru, 2026-10-01). China is also tightening oversight: The Ministry of Commerce requires applicants for 2027 auto export permits to upload proof of overseas after-sales service outlets (e.g., no fewer than 50 outlets for Class 1 auto manufacturers) and submit commitments for compliant overseas operations to standardise price management (Ministry of Commerce, 2026-09-30).
YiAuto Viewpoints
1. Go by customs clearance date, not order date. To clear vehicles under the 2026 tax rate, transit lead times must be counted backward from December 31; the window is limited.
2. Retail price increases do not equal scrap tax increases. Ruble exchange rates, procurement costs, logistics and discounts all affect end pricing. We recommend calculating total landed costs separately for each shipment instead of applying average markup estimates.
3. Imported vehicles compete via product selection and delivery speed. Local assembly already accounts for nearly two-thirds of the Russian market. Opportunities for imports lie in models and configurations unavailable locally, used cars and fast delivery of in-stock units.
4. Costs and risks for grey channels are rising. Importing under an individual’s name for later resale triggers back payments under the new coefficients, while China is tightening export controls. Sourcing from qualified exporters with complete documentation and formal customs clearance has become essential.
What This Means for Buyers in Russia and Central Asia
Russian Dealers and Importers:
• Verify customs declaration registration times for in-transit vehicles and planned batches to see if clearance can be completed before 31 December 2026;
• Recalculate costs for 2027 shipments using new coefficients, especially for models above 160 hp and with 2–3 L displacement;
• Anticipate price increases from competitors, including official channels of Chinese brands. Whether imported vehicles retain price advantages depends on proper model selection and procurement cost control.
Central Asian Buyers:
• Scrap tax is a Russian levy. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and other countries enforce their own import regulations. Russia’s tax hike does not automatically raise your import duties;
• If vehicles later enter Russia, Russian scrap tax will be charged at the rate effective on the calculation date. Confirm the plan with your customs broker before transactions.
What YiAuto Can Offer
• Dual-warehouse inventory: A large selection of new and used vehicles is held at the Chengdu warehouse (Sichuan) for on-site inspection. The pre-positioned warehouse at the Khorgos Port enables nearby customs clearance and export to shorten dispatch lead times.
• Nationwide vehicle sourcing: New vehicles focus on Chinese brands; used cars are sourced nationwide matching budgets and requirements.
• Clear quotation terms: Khorgos FOB price or Ussuriysk CIP price available, with quotations delivered within 1 hour.
• One-stop service: Vehicle selection, pre-shipment inspection (photos and videos for confirmation before loading), Chinese export documentation and customs declaration, highway or rail transport, delivery, with full-process tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. When and by how much will Russia’s scrap tax rise in 2027? Starting January 1, 2027. The coefficient for commercially imported fuel-powered passenger cars rises by about 10%, and certain trucks, buses and special-purpose vehicles rise by up to 20%. For example, the scrap tax for new 1–2 L vehicles with ≤160 hp will increase from 800,800 rubles to 880,800 rubles (TKS.ru).
2. Will vehicles cleared in 2026 be affected? No. Scrap tax uses the coefficient on customs declaration registration date. Units registered in 2026 apply 2026 tax rates even if sold in 2027. However, final selling prices are set by sellers.
3. Will Chinese brand vehicles become more expensive in Russia? Most likely, mainly for commercially imported and parallel-imported vehicles. Rolf forecasts price hikes starting November–December 2026, while locally assembled models are not expected to see scrap-tax-related price adjustments. Thirteen out of 14 brands already raised prices in September 2026.
4. Does FOB or CIP quotation include scrap tax? No. FOB means the seller delivers goods at the loading location within China; CIP means the seller covers freight and insurance to a named destination (Ussuriysk for YiAuto). Russian import levies (customs duty, VAT, scrap tax) are borne by the importer. Confirm full landed costs including clearance with your customs broker.
5. Will the preferential scrap tax for personal-use imports change? No. Rates remain 3,400 rubles for vehicles under 3 years old and 5,200 rubles for vehicles older than 3 years. Conditions still apply: personal use, ≤160 hp, ≤3 L engine displacement and no resale within 12 months. Breaching conditions requires back payment under commercial coefficients.
Calculate for Your Shipment
Send us brand, model, quantity, configuration and budget, and receive your Khorgos FOB or Ussuriysk CIP quotation within 1 hour. 📞 WhatsApp / Telegram / WeChat: +86 187 8108 6568 · ✉️ yiauto001@outlook.com
This article is for reference only and does not constitute customs or legal advice. Final tax calculations should be confirmed with your customs broker.