China Cracks Down on Unofficial Car Exports to Russia, 500 Vehicles Detained at Customs

Chinese authorities have intensified efforts to block unofficial car export schemes to Russia, The Moscow Times reported, citing Russian media on January 30.

In a recent incident, 500 new Nissan, Mazda, and Zeekr vehicles destined for Russian buyers were detained at customs in Suifenhe, China.

The vehicles were purchased less than 180 days ago, making them ineligible for export as used cars, which had been a common tactic to circumvent export restrictions.

Earlier, a new investigation by TriTrace Investigations had revealed that since March 2022, 214 luxury vehicles valued at approximately $75 million were imported into Russia in circumvention of European Union and United Kingdom sanctions.

The crackdown follows new rules introduced by Chinese authorities on January 1, 2026, requiring new cars to remain in China for at least 180 days before being eligible for export, The Moscow Times wrote.

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This change aims to control the export of new vehicles that were previously sold under the guise of being used, often to take advantage of lower prices due to Chinese government subsidies.

As a result, Russian buyers may face significant delays in receiving their cars, with deliveries not expected before summer. The move was introduced to curb unauthorized exports to Russia, as stricter documentation requirements and licensing rules now apply to cars being shipped out of China, according to The Moscow Times.

Previously, it was reported that Russia’s Irbit Motorcycle Plant, the maker of Ural sidecar motorcycles, has shifted production to China after sanctions, supply disruptions and trade barriers undercut its export-driven business.

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