Imports of cars from South Korea fell in Russia

At the end of January 2026, it decreased by 11% compared to the same month in 2025. In Russia, from December 1, the procedure for calculating the recycling fee on cars imported by citizens for personal use has changed. For cars with engines more powerful than 160 hp. For private owners, the preferential recycling tax of 3.4 thousand rubles and 5.2 thousand rubles was canceled and a commercial one was established – as for companies that supply cars for resale.

“So, South Korea supplied cars worth $26.3 million to the Russian market compared to $29.7 million a year earlier. At the same time, in monthly terms there was a slight increase – by 3.5%. In total, local companies exported cars worth $5.7 billion, with 46% of exports going to the American market, about 11% to the Canadian market, and 6% to the British market,” RIA Novosti reported, citing its own analysis of South Korean statistics.

According to the analytical agency Autostat, imports from South Korea in January 2026 accounted for only 1.6% of new passenger cars imported into Russia. In the used segment, cars from South Korea accounted for 7.4% of imports. Over the past year, mainly premium cars were imported from this country to Russia, and since 2026, their imports have decreased significantly due to a significant increase in the recycling fee.

Before this, it became known that in Russia, from April 1, the formula for calculating the recycling fee for cars will once again change. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will close the loophole with understatement of customs value in the EAEU countries, which citizens used when importing foreign cars into Russia.