Buying a foreign car in Belarus remains a viable option for Russian car enthusiasts, even after the update to the recycling fee rules. As a reminder, since December 1, the recycling fee in Russia is calculated not only by engine displacement, but also by its power.
Benefits for individuals are only retained for cars with a power of up to 160 hp — and most popular models of European, Korean, and Japanese brands fall under this condition.
Profitable, but there is one "but"
The preferential recycling fee is 3.4 thousand rubles for cars younger than three years and 5.2 thousand rubles for older ones.
An important condition is the "annual cooling" rule: the car must be in Belarus for at least a year and not change owners. Only in this case, a reduced rate applies when importing to Russia.
Prices are lower than in Russia
The Belarusian market attracts with a high saturation of offers. Minsk, Brest, and Grodno have become the main points of import of cars from the EU. The proximity to Warsaw and Vilnius allows for a stable flow of cars with a transparent history and moderate mileage, and prices often remain lower than Russian ones.
Before buying, it is important to check the set of documents. The seller is obliged to provide a customs arrival order, a passenger customs declaration, and a customs certificate.
The absence of any of these documents creates a risk of problems with the registration of an EPTC in Russia. It is equally important to check the VIN code — it confirms the legal stay of the car in the republic, the history of accidents, and the absence of restrictions.
Which cars qualify for the preferential recycling fee
Versions with engines up to 160 hp qualify for the following models: Honda HR-V, Civic, CR-V; Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail; Mazda CX-5, CX-30, CX-50; Hyundai Tucson and Mufasa; Kia Sportage and Soul; Audi Q2, Q3, A3–A5; Skoda Karoq, Kodiaq, Superb; Volkswagen Passat, Golf, Tiguan and Arteon; Volvo XC40; Opel Astra and Corsa; BMW 3 Series, 5 Series and X3.
Prices start from approximately 11 thousand dollars (877,000 rubles) for cars from 2021–2022 and exceed 50 thousand dollars (3,980,000 rubles) for new premium versions. Even taking into account currency fluctuations, the benefit upon import can reach up to a million rubles.
