The customs services of South Korea express serious concern over the sharp increase in the number of cars entering the Russian market through intermediaries, avoiding official channels. According to Reuters, Seoul plans to intensify measures against this illegal export, which apparently has become a way to circumvent international sanctions.
Statistics speak for themselves: in 2025, the volume of illegal car shipments from South Korea to Russia increased more than fivefold, amounting to 149.2 billion won (approximately 100 million dollars).
Customs officials have uncovered several clever schemes used by unscrupulous car dealers. Some of them deceive inspectors by claiming that the cars are being sent to neighboring countries such as China, Kazakhstan, or Kyrgyzstan, while in reality, their final destination is Russia. Others go even further: they purchase new cars, disguise them as used ones, and send them to Russia through third countries.
Particular attention from customs authorities is drawn to premium-class cars of German brands, which are first imported to South Korea and then, using "gray" schemes, are transported to Russia.
It should be noted that at the beginning of 2024, the South Korean authorities tightened restrictions on car exports to Russia, prohibiting the supply of vehicles with engines larger than 2 liters. Previously, only cars worth over 50 thousand dollars were subject to restrictions. However, recent data shows that these measures have not completely stopped the flow of "gray" cars and have only forced dealers to seek new ways to circumvent the restrictions.
In light of the above, South Korea intends to strengthen its fight against illegal exports, which may lead to stricter border controls and harsher penalties for offenders.
The post South Korea wants to stop the flow of cars to Russia through China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan first appeared on the K-News website.
