Russians have started receiving letters from the tax authorities after purchasing cars from foreign citizens. The requests ask them to clarify the method of payment and warn of possible fines for violating currency control rules.
One such letter was published by the Telegram channel Baza. The letters are being received by citizens who bought cars from foreigners, including in cases of payment in cash or cryptocurrency.
There have been no official statements from the agencies on this topic so far.
And I don’t know what to say here. There’s no money in the budget, so now they’re picking on everyone.
The notices request that recipients provide the vehicle passport, the purchase and sale agreement, proof of payment, and an explanation of the purpose of the purchase. They also separately remind recipients that settlements between a Russian resident and a foreign citizen must be conducted through an authorized bank.
It is reported that the fine may amount to 20% to 40% of the transaction amount. Publications cite the example of a resident of Kemerovo who in 2024 purchased a car for 20 million rubles for personal use. In January 2026, he received a request from customs with a summons to provide explanations.
It should be noted that the use of cryptocurrency to pay for goods and services in Russia is prohibited, and the ruble remains the only legal means of payment. Meanwhile, citizens of the Union State have, since last year, gained the opportunity to pay for Geely and Belgee cars with crypto. A full-fledged service operating within the legal framework of Belarus was launched in the republic in October 2025.