Chinese customs authorities detained a batch of about 500 cars in the city of Suifenhe near the border with Russia, purchased less than 180 days ago. According to Mash, all the vehicles are considered new, while there is not a single 2026 model year car in the lot. The projected delivery time for buyers is no earlier than summer.
The reason for the detention was the PRC authorities' crackdown on the export of cars intended for the domestic market under the guise of used vehicles. In China, new cars are sold more cheaply thanks to government subsidies. To export them to Russia, they were registered to fictitious owners and driven out as pre-owned.
Since January 1, 2026, a rule has been in effect in China under which a car must remain in the country for at least 180 days after purchase in order to be considered used and become eligible for export. Cars bought more recently than that may not be exported.
Despite the restrictions, Chinese sellers and Russian auto importers continue to promise customers deliveries of "new cars outside the rules." They cite subsidies for certain brands and supposed agreements with factories, taking payment and promising delivery within a few weeks while not warning about possible delays.
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