As of February 12, 2026, China has solidified its position as the primary “backdoor” for foreign Western and Japanese automobiles entering the sanctioned Russian market. Despite official pledges from global automakers to exit Russia, registration data and industry reports reveal a thriving gray-market ecosystem.
In 2025 alone, nearly 130,000 vehicles from “unfriendly” countries (those imposing sanctions) were sold in Russia, with roughly half of those being manufactured in China.
The “Zero-Mileage Used Car” Loophole
The most common method for circumventing sanctions is a clever reclassification trick used by Chinese intermediaries and Russian dealers.
- The Tactic: New vehicles are first registered as “sold” in the domestic Chinese market. Within days, they are reclassified as “zero-mileage used cars” and exported to Russia.+1
- The Benefit: This allows Chinese traders to bypass the “new car” export restrictions mandated by global brands like Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW.
- Price Arbitrage: These vehicles are often heavily subsidized or discounted in China’s hyper-competitive market but are sold at full premium prices (or higher) in Russia, where demand for Western luxury remains high.
Key Brands and Volumes (2025–2026 Data)
While Chinese-owned brands like Haval, Chery, and Geely now dominate the Russian mass market, the “elite” segment is still fueled by parallel imports via China.
| Brand | 2025 Russian Sales (via China) | Notable Models |
| Toyota | ~30,000 units | RAV4, Camry, Land Cruiser (Hybrid versions are highly popular). |
| German Luxury | ~47,000 units | Mercedes G-Class, BMW X1, Audi, Porsche, and Skoda. |
| Mazda | ~7,000 units | Primarily China-manufactured models. |
| South Korean | Stable Volumes | Kia and Hyundai continue to see sustained gray-market demand. |
The G-Class Paradox: Even models exclusively produced in Europe, like the Mercedes G-Class (made in Austria), are being rerouted through China to reach the Russian elite for upwards of €120,000.
2026 Regulatory Crackdown: The “180-Day” Rule
As of January 1, 2026, the trade has faced its first major hurdle due to new export rules introduced by Chinese authorities.
- The New Rule: Vehicles registered for less than 180 days may now only be exported if they have a manufacturer-stamped confirmation of after-sales service.
- The Impact: This has caused a temporary “halt” in new deliveries for February 2026. Experts believe this is a response to pressure on China to stop the “inflation” of its domestic sales figures through these gray-market exports.
- The Outcome: Traders must now either wait six months (holding the car in China) or secure official stamps, which most Western brands refuse to provide for Russian exports.
Automaker Response
Official statements from companies like Volkswagen, BMW, and Toyota remain firm: they prohibit sales to Russia and include “no-export” clauses in their dealer contracts. However, industry analysts note that once a car is sold to a third party in a “friendly” nation like China or the UAE, the manufacturer effectively loses control over its final destination.+1
Current Market Share in Russia
- Local Brands (Lada, etc.): ~33%
- Chinese Brands (Official): ~52% (though growth has slowed slightly in early 2026)
- Parallel Imports (Western/Japanese): ~10–15%
