EAEU Council Finds Solution for Cars with Armenian License Plates

The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Council has tasked the governments of member countries to ensure a comprehensive set of measures that will address the issue of transportation vehicles registered in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan but operated in Russia. This matter has been concerning both drivers and the relevant authorities in Russia since last year, reports Armtimes.com.

"In particular, it has been decided to expand the mechanism for data exchange between the customs services of member countries. According to this mechanism, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan must provide information on the customs duties imposed on the aforementioned vehicles and regarding the duties and taxes already paid," the EEC press service reports.

According to the aforementioned decision by the EEC, such an approach will allow for limiting the entry into Russia of vehicles that are registered in Armenia or Kyrgyzstan and are being moved to Russia for long-term personal use. Through this data exchange base, vehicle owners who have purchased their cars in Armenia but are operating them in Russia will have the opportunity to learn about the additional customs duties they are obligated to pay under Russian legislation.

The member countries are willing to provide the necessary data base until the governments develop appropriate measures concerning this issue.

Different customs duties apply in each EAEU member country for the import of foreign vehicles into the union. The amount set for customs clearance of vehicles in Armenia is significantly cheaper than in Russia, which results in lower vehicle prices. For example, a five-year-old Kia Optima can be purchased in Armenia for 450,000 rubles, while in Russia, it costs between 600,000 and 700,000 rubles. Naturally, such a price difference has led citizens to start purchasing and registering vehicles in Armenia and transporting them to Russia for permanent use. According to rough estimates, there are currently between 300,000 and 400,000 cars with Armenian license plates in Russia, most of whose owners are not Armenians or do not hold Armenian citizenship.

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