Importing Cars from China to Russia in 2026: The Recycling Fee Reform and the 160 HP Line

Russia's recycling fee (утильсбор) is now the single number that decides whether a Chinese car pencils out for import. From December 2025 the fee is tied to engine power on a progressive scale, and the preferential rate is kept only for cars up to 160 horsepower. Above that line the fee climbs steeply — on top of the 15% import tariff and VAT. For dealers importing from China, the model you choose, and specifically its power output, now drives the landed cost more than the FOB price does.

What Changed

Russia has been raising the recycling fee in steps since 2024, and the 2026 reform sharpened it:

• The fee is now tied to engine power (hp), on a progressive scale (from December 2025), not just engine volume.
• The preferential rate is retained only for cars up to 160 hp. Above that, the fee rises sharply.
• Annual indexation of 10–20% continues on top, by vehicle category.
• This sits on top of the 15% import tariff and VAT.

The stated goal is to make local assembly more attractive than direct import — so the reform is designed to raise the cost of bringing finished cars in.

Why the 160 HP Line Matters for Chinese SUVs

Most popular Chinese SUVs produce well over 160 hp. That puts them above the preferential band, where the recycling fee is highest. Here is where our current lineup actually sits (metric PS is close to hp — 160 hp ≈ 162 PS):

The honest takeaway: the current export-favourite SUVs all sit above the preferential line. That is not unique to any one brand — it reflects how modern turbocharged and electrified Chinese SUVs are specced. It means the recycling fee is a real cost line for all of them, and it should be modelled per unit before you commit to a container.

What This Means for Your Landed Cost

Three practical consequences:

1. Budget the fee explicitly, per model. Because it scales with power, a 462 PS flagship carries a very different fee from a 177 PS compact — the gap can outweigh differences in FOB price.

2. Compare on landed cost, not FOB. A cheaper sticker price above 160 hp can land higher than a slightly pricier lower-power car. Run the full math.

3. The fee hits every importer equally. Chinese brands still hold the majority of Russia's market. The reform raises everyone's cost, so your competitiveness is relative — the dealers who model the fee accurately and price for it keep their margin; the ones who don't get squeezed.

Should You Still Import to Russia?

Yes — with eyes open. Chinese vehicles continue to dominate Russian sales, and demand is real. The change is not a ban; it is a cost increase aimed at favouring local assembly. What it rewards is precision: pick models deliberately, model the recycling fee for each one before ordering, and price your retail to absorb it. Guessing is what loses money now.

Not sure which models and powertrains fit Russia's cold climate and this cost structure? See our guide on which powertrain to import for your market, or send your target city and volume for a landed-cost breakdown.

Confirm Before You Order

Russia's recycling fee has changed several times and is indexed annually — the exact figure for a given model and date moves. Treat this as orientation, not a final quote. We track current rates for our active Russia buyers and include the fee in the landed-cost math with every quote.

Sources & further reading: The Moscow Times — importers rush to beat the recycling-fee hike · Interfax — recycling fee to rise for cars over 160 hp. Confirm the exact current coefficient for your model and date before pricing.