Customs rules for import and export from Germany

Today the car market is quite saturated with various representatives. And a good segment of the market is occupied by cars from German automakers: BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, WV, Porsche, Opel. But, unfortunately, not all models of these German manufacturers are presented on the domestic market. Only a limited line of these representatives is imported.

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And this is not the policy of companies pursued in Russia - this is the result of the application of certain legislative norms that regulate the procedure for the import of cars from foreign manufacturers.

In this regard, only budget and luxury cars of these brands are presented on the market. The most popular segment of the middle class is represented very poorly. Therefore, our fellow citizens are increasingly using the opportunity to import a car from Germany, with its subsequent customs clearance.

Calculating the cost of customs clearance of a car from Germany

The cost of customs clearance of a car purchased in Germany consists of several important aspects.

So, for example, the purchase price includes:

• visa application costs;
• travel tickets;
• hotel reservations and accommodation;
• costs associated with the need to deregister a car in Germany;
• transaction execution;
• return shipping costs.

And all this still needs to be taken into account before traveling to Germany.

The customs clearance calculation process itself includes:

• customs deposit;
• customs duty;
• recycling collection.

The customs deposit is a measure to ensure that government agencies will not avoid paying the future car owner. Upon return, its amount will be included in the customs duty. Its rate depends on the production date and engine size.

After crossing the border, the car owner must pay customs duties in full. The amount of the duty depends on the year of manufacture and the cost of the purchased car.

The amount of customs duties corresponds to the amount indicated for the corresponding category in Appendix No. 5 to the Agreement on the procedure for individuals moving goods for personal use through the customs union and performing customs operations.

Procedure for importing a car from Germany

Even before you go abroad to pick up your car, you need to take care of a customs deposit - a special account to which funds are transferred to ensure payment of all customs fees. It will not be possible to top up this account directly on the way back or at the checkpoint. You will need to enter or leave the country again. In addition, the account must have enough funds for customs clearance of the car, otherwise the car owner will face the problem of being unable to complete the procedure. The size of the required deposit depends on the model, age and class of the car.

The deposit is paid to the customs office or to the customs account. In this case, a receipt is issued, and a guarantee certificate is issued within two days. It should be borne in mind that the deposit is not refundable (so you will still have to buy the car), but if there is an overpayment, it is returned to the owner’s account upon request.

To successfully pass border control you must provide:

• completed car declaration;
• accompanying documents for transport (I have already talked about them above);
• technical passport of the vehicle.

First, the vehicle owner is asked to fill out a declaration, indicating current information about the car. The document is assigned a unique registration number.

Customs officers check the primary information from the declaration. If everything is in order, permission is given to continue the procedure. If questions arise, the car owner will be asked to provide additional transport documents.

A technical inspection of the vehicle is carried out, during which it is checked whether the actual characteristics of the vehicle correspond to those stated in the declaration. The document is certified by seals.

The customs inspector determines the amount of all payments that will need to be made.

The cost of customs clearance of a car from Germany to Russia is precisely determined at the border control.

After this, the transport is registered in the name of a specific legal entity or individual, and the current information is entered into the database.

The owner of the car is issued a receipt for payment, as well as an import certificate and vehicle passport.

Why buy a car in Germany and other countries?

The question of why many decide to buy a car outside our homeland lies in various factors.
One of them is the opportunity to buy a more economical and modern model that is not available on the domestic market. But this is all relevant for purchasing a new car. In the case of purchasing a car that was previously used, there are a number of advantages over the domestic used car market, which include:

• availability of service history;
• service according to regulations;
• careful operation;
• absence of bad roads;
• better build quality;
• not a high price;
• choice;
• guaranteed serviceability of all components and assemblies.

Parameters that affect the vehicle customs clearance process

When carrying out the customs clearance procedure for a vehicle, completely different factors can have an impact, which can both speed up the registration process and increase the length of time spent on it.
These include:

• year of car manufacture;
• engine volume;
• availability of a complete package of documents;
• timely payment of government payments and fees;
• the imported car must comply with the Euro-5 environmental class;
• whether the car was previously imported by this individual.

How much does it cost to clear a car from the USA to Russia?

The cost of customs clearance of cars from the USA is the same as from other countries. You can find out the exact cost by using this online calculator.

It’s very simple, enter the following data in the empty fields:

• Individual or legal entity.
• The age of the car.
• Engine's type.
• Environmental class.
• Engine capacity.
• Power.
• Car cost.

Then, click the calculate button, and the program itself will calculate how much it costs to clear a car from the USA to Russia with all the necessary taxes, including disposal tax.

Basic rules for car customs clearance

The basic rules for the customs clearance process of a vehicle are contained in the Customs Code of the Russian Federation.

In addition to the Customs Code of the Russian Federation, regulations governing the rules for customs clearance of vehicles are:

• Order of the Federal Customs Service dated February 21, 2012. for No. 12 (establishes the procedure for posting a security deposit);
• Federal Law No. 5003-1 (establishes the size of customs tariffs);
• Resolution No. 870 of August 30, 2012 (regulates relations regarding recycling fees);
• Resolution No. 718 of November 29, 2003 (contains regulation of the procedure for applying uniform customs duty rates);
• Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (contains information on the amount of administrative penalties imposed for violation of customs legislation when importing a car from abroad).

Car customs clearance process

The customs clearance process includes several step-by-step actions:

• filling out a declaration;
• verification of completed documents by an employee of the Federal Customs Service of Russia;
• Carrying out a technical inspection of a vehicle;
• determination of the amount to be paid customs duties;
• registration of the car in the name of the person who made the purchase;
• obtaining a customs receipt order for payment;
• obtaining an import certificate and PTS for the imported car.

Required documents

To successfully and quickly clear customs, as well as to ensure that no negative consequences arise along the way, you need to take care of proper paperwork for the car directly in Germany.

After making a purchase, you should have the following documents on hand:

• agreement confirming the transaction;
• electronic declaration;
• technical passport for the purchased vehicle;
• obtaining a special permit for transit traffic;
• a valid document confirming the completion of a technical inspection;
• transit license plates.

Problems with customs

Customs is the main problem for those who buy cars abroad. It will not be possible to deliver any car to Russia, since environmental restrictions apply - no lower than Euro 5.

If the purchase does not meet these requirements, then it cannot be brought into the country in an honest way. An important rule follows from this - be sure to find out the degree of environmental friendliness of the model.

The second problem is the design. A car can be registered in several ways. The final cost depends on each of them.

1. Registration for a legal entity or individual. If you yourself transport one car for personal use, the duty will be significantly lower than for a whole batch of cars for a legal entity.
2. The age of the car. New cars are subject to the highest duty; the most profitable option is those between 3 and 5 years old.
3. Displacement and engine type. The smaller the car, the lower the cost of customs clearance. Before registering the car, you need to deposit the amount into the customs inspection account. This deposit will be used to cover fees. At the control you must show a certificate confirming that the money has been deposited.

If you register the car in your name, you will have to fill out a customs declaration. You also need to present all documents for the car and insurance.

Main nuances when buying cars in Germany

As when buying a car in Russia or any other country, you need to be careful and take a very responsible approach to making the purchase. At a minimum, it is necessary to show sobriety and not give in to emotions.

And pay attention to the fact that:

• the seller must provide an electronic version of the declaration for car export. It must contain the seller’s details;
• the text of the contract must indicate that the transaction was completed in Germany;
• the seller must issue a technical passport for the car, which must indicate the registration information of the car;
• the buyer must obtain an international permit, license plates necessary for movement in transit, permission to drive vehicles in transit.

What documents are needed to import a car from Germany to the Russian Federation?

At the border, all documents related to the purchase and sale of a car will be checked. Therefore, even before purchasing, you need to consider what you will be asked to present:

• declaration for the export of cars (Ausfuhrerklaerung), which contains the contacts and details of the seller (the document can be obtained in electronic format, the main thing is that it contains the correct information);
• purchase and sale agreement (Kaufvertrag), which must contain information about the country of the transaction (Germany).
• the buyer must take care in advance to obtain transit license plates for the car, a transit permit, as well as international clearance;
• the seller (German side) issues a technical passport for the car indicating: the age of the car, information about the previous owner, maintenance, Euro-5 environmental class and identification number (VIN).

When the specified documentation is in hand, driving a car from Germany to Russia is relatively simple - at the border, the new owner of the vehicle just needs to draw up a customs declaration, attaching all the listed accompanying documents to it.

Punishment for violations of customs clearance rules

Violation of customs legislation necessarily entails prosecution.

And it provides for penalties such as:

• fine (for administrative offenses);
• confiscation of vehicles (for administrative and criminal offenses);
• forced labor;
• deprivation of liberty.

Fines for incorrect customs clearance of cars

A fine is provided for the following types of violations:

• violation of deadlines for payment of customs duties;
• failure to submit legally required documents in a timely manner;
• violation of restrictions established on the import of motor vehicles into the territory of the Russian Federation;
• violation of the terms of stay of a vehicle on the territory of the Russian Federation.

The size of fines ranges from 500 to 2500 rubles.

Is it possible to import a car from Germany without paying duties?

The following persons can bring a car to Russia without paying customs duties:

1. Foreign citizens who enter the country in their own personal car.
2. Citizens of the Russian Federation with dual citizenship.
3. Citizens permanently residing abroad and registered with the consulate.
4. Citizens of the Russian Federation who have a residence permit in another country.

For one year, persons from the listed categories have the right to use personal vehicles on the territory of the Russian Federation without customs clearance or with partial payment of all fees and duties.

Also, in accordance with current legislation, a car received as an inheritance is not subject to customs duties. This method of importation is used, but today this scheme is often used by scammers. The result is closer attention from customs authorities.

It is possible to import a vehicle under the relocation program (to do this, you need to be a participant in the program and have the appropriate certificate). You are allowed to import one vehicle per family, but the car must be owned for at least a year before the move.

Is it possible to introduce a vehicle into Russia without customs clearance?

There are plenty of ways to avoid having your car cleared through customs, and all of them are legal. And they are associated with placing the car in various customs regimes. It is important to remember and understand that they allow the use of transport only for a limited period of time.

These methods include:

• obtaining a residence permit in EU countries;
• power of attorney from a foreign relative;
• fictitious employment.

Each of these methods has both pros and cons.

Buying a car in Germany is a priori a profitable investment. Since each vehicle has a confirmed service history, thanks to which you can obtain all the necessary information about the routine maintenance carried out.

Therefore, a car from Germany will be accurately serviced and meet all safety standards. At the same time, the price of a car in Germany will be significantly lower than the price of a similar one in Russia, which does not diminish, but rather increases the value of the purchased vehicle.

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Free online consultation with a car lawyer

Didn't find the answer to your question? Find out how to solve exactly your problem - call right now: +7 (Moscow) +7 (812) 309-53-42 (St. Petersburg) It's fast and free!

Ways to buy a car abroad

There are three methods for purchasing an imported car in Germany and in any other country outside the Customs Union:

1. Personally come and drive the car to Russia. This method will not require large costs for customs duties, since for individuals they are lower than for legal entities.
2. Order transportation of cars from Europe from logistics companies. Professionals will take care of all the paperwork, and the buyer will not have to spend money and time on travel, so this method may be more profitable than the first.
3. Buying a non-customs cleared car in Russia. To do this, you need to arrive at the customs point and register the car in your name.