Autonews: Car deliveries from China to Russia come to a halt

The Russian market may face a shortage of vehicles supplied from China through parallel imports, as dealers have not received a single batch of 2026 model-year cars for a month.

Autonews reports that deliveries have come to a halt.

From January 1, 2026, China introduced new export rules under which vehicles registered for less than 180 days may be exported only if there is confirmation of after-sales service bearing the manufacturer’s stamp. Previously, new cars were registered as used vehicles and exported without the brands’ consent.

It is claimed that the changes were a response by Chinese authorities to the mass export of cars disguised as used vehicles. Under the new rules, such cars will be “held” in China for at least six months.

Earlier, imports of new cars into Russia fell sharply. In January 2026, imports of new passenger vehicles to Russia decreased by 25 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier, while imports of used cars increased by 23 per cent over the same period.

By Vugar Khalilov