In the Southern Federal District and the North Caucasus, a semi-legal scheme has emerged related to the import and sale of cars with Kyrgyz license plates. Sellers are offering Changan crossovers at prices ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 million rubles, and such advertisements have already started appearing even in central Russia. Experts note that the introduction of high tariffs on the recycling fee by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia makes the purchase of new cars almost impossible, forcing citizens to look for alternative options to update their vehicles. Details can be found in the article by "Gazeta.Ru".
Advertisements for the sale of cars registered to citizens of Kyrgyzstan are most often posted by residents of the North Caucasus republics, such as Dagestan, Ingushetia, and Chechnya. Such offers are also found in the Volga region, Siberia, and the Northwest region.
One of the advertisements states: "Assalamu alaikum, brothers! I brought the car from Kyrgyzstan, I will answer for the documents, as it is registered to my brother. I am in Grozny, the car is new, the car carrier brought it to Makhachkala, from there I will go to Grozny on my own." This advertisement offers a Changan X5 Plus crossover.
The seller is asking for only 1.2 million rubles for a car with a turbo engine of 1.5 liters, producing 188 hp, and a robotic transmission, while its nominal price after customs clearance is 2.7-2.9 million rubles.
Among the advantages of the car are front and side airbags, a leather interior, and a sunroof.
Muhammad, a resident of Makhachkala, posted an advertisement for the sale of a Changan Uni-Z with zero mileage for 1.45 million rubles. He explained that he was able to establish supplies of cars with Kyrgyz license plates thanks to connections with compatriots who have dual citizenship.
“We register the cars not to Kyrgyz people, but to Dagestanis. There is a Dagestani village, 20th Khutor, where citizens of Kyrgyzstan live. They were resettled there during Soviet times,” he shares with a correspondent from "Gazeta.Ru".
Muhammad added that if necessary, the general power of attorney can be extended, and the vehicle registration certificate can be restored if it is lost. He offers the option of formalizing the deal either notarized or in a simpler format, explaining that everyone knows each other in their small town.
Islam, a resident of Izberbash, is also selling a Changan Uni-Z for 1.57 million rubles, using a similar registration scheme through a power of attorney from a citizen of Kyrgyzstan.
“It is registered to a citizen of Kyrgyzstan who lives there. He writes a power of attorney with the right of re-registration, which allows driving in Russia for three years,” explains Islam.
The seller assured that all rights will be specified in the power of attorney and explained the affordability of the price due to low customs duties in Kyrgyzstan.
“If the car were registered in Russia, it would cost 2.1 million rubles. It can only be re-registered in Russia after the corresponding law is passed,” he added.
Islam also noted that Changan is chosen for this scheme due to its affordable price and good quality.
Advertisements for the sale of cars registered in Kyrgyzstan have also appeared in other regions of Russia. For example, in Omsk, a 2025 Changan X5 Plus is offered for 1.25 million rubles, in Cheboksary – a Changan Uni-Z for 1.75 million rubles, and in St. Petersburg – a similar Changan Uni-Z for 1.7 million rubles. Offers for other brands, such as Kia and Volkswagen, are also found.
The situation may change
Lawyers express doubts about the sustainability of such a car import scheme, warning that regulators may take notice if it becomes widespread. A similar situation has already been observed with cars from Abkhazia and Armenia, noted lawyer Lev Voropaev.
“This scheme has been tested, but it will only work until the traffic police issue orders to hold such drivers accountable. The scheme may cease to function, as it has already happened with cars from Armenia and Abkhazia,” he emphasizes.
In the case of cars from Abkhazia, even contracts and powers of attorney were not taken into account, which led to the owners being held liable and the cars being confiscated, added the lawyer.
“This is a risky decision that can lead to the loss of the car, and even confiscation will not allow settling all debts to the state,” he concluded.
Problems with maintaining rights
According to a general power of attorney, ownership does not transfer, and the formal owner can take the car back if they wish, notes Maxim Shelkov, head of the expert center "Avtokriminalist".
“If the car is transferred by power of attorney, there is an owner who can assert their rights at any time. They can simply open the car and drive away,” explains Shelkov.
Any actions by the formal owner, regardless of their citizenship, can affect the car, including claims from customs.
“I believe that the state will quickly respond to this situation, and such loopholes will be closed,” he added.
Both experts agree that the growing popularity of the "Dagestani scheme" is linked to the increase in the recycling fee introduced by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, which forces citizens to seek workarounds.
