In January-October 2008, the Russian Federation import of automobiles grew by 10%, year-on-year, to 1,986,254 vehicles, total value of which exceeded $37.6 billion including 1,749,253 passenger cars valued at some $28 billion, the Association of Automobile importers informs. Incase import volume in November-December 2008 is the same as in October ((180,000 automobiles per month) import growth rates are to make some 30% in 2008.
In the reported period the Russian Federation imported 915,000 tonnes of spare parts and components costing $6.6 bln.
Automobiles, components and spare parts are one of the most customs-intense goods among those imported by the Russian Federation. According to the RF Ministry of Finance, in January-October of the current year, revenue side of the federal budget totaled 8.093.28 billion (including 4.000.10 billion (49.42%) transferred by the Federal Customs Service).
So automobile import accounts for some 6% of the federal budget’s revenue side and over 11% of FCS’ transfer to the federal budget.
Some 80% of automobile import is made by new vehicles transported to general importers (manufacturers’ plenipotentiary representatives in the Russian Federation), customs clearance is carried out exclusively by customs brokers the activities of which are regulated by the RF legislation.
Last months automobile import has changed a little in terms of types of delivering transport. The share of automobiles delivered by railway and sea transport has increased in the Russian Federation. The share of vehicles delivered by motor transport has decreased to a minimal level of 2008 – 50%.
There are also changes in the structure of import per region. The Central and the North-West federal districts have traditionally accounted for over 80% of all vehicles imported by Russia. Federal Customs Service strived to decrease the shares of the Central and the North-West customs in favor of the Central Excise Customs the competence of which covers the above districts from September 2006.