Can you buy a car in Georgia and drive it in Russia on Georgian plates?
Buying and registering in Georgia, and Russia's temporary import rules.
Short answer
A foreigner can buy a car in Georgia and register it in their name at the Service Agency, receiving Georgian plates. Driving it in Russia is only possible under EAEU temporary import rules, which are stricter for Russian citizens living permanently in Russia: as a rule, the car has to be fully cleared through customs. Conditions depend on your status, so check them on the Russian Federal Customs Service website before buying.
Why
- Georgia's largest car market is in Rustavi, mostly selling cars imported from the US, Korea and Europe.
- EAEU temporary import without customs clearance is intended for people permanently residing outside the union.
- When a car leaves Georgia for sale, it is deregistered and given transit plates.
Details
Before buying, check the car's history by VIN and its legal status at the Service Agency. If you plan to clear it through Russian customs, calculate the duty and recycling fee in advance, as together they can rival the car's price.
People also ask
- Can foreigners buy a car in Georgia?
Sources
This answer is for reference only and is not a substitute for advice from a lawyer or customs broker. Rules change, so check official websites.
Related questions
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How far over the speed limit can you go in Georgia, and what are the fines?
In Georgia you are fined for exceeding the limit by more than 15 km/h: under amendments passed by parliament in June 2026, 15-30 km/h over costs 50 GEL, 30-50 km/h over 100 GEL, and more than 50 km/h over 300 GEL.
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How much does it cost to clear a car from Georgia through Russian customs?
Clearing a car from Georgia through Russian customs as a private individual involves a single customs duty based on the car's age and engine size, a recycling fee and a processing fee.
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What do Georgian licence plates look like?
A standard Georgian plate is white with the format two letters, three digits, two letters, for example AA-123-AA, with the Georgian flag and the code GE on the left.
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How do you get or exchange a driving licence in Georgia?
You can exchange a foreign licence for a Georgian one without a test at the Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, for a fee of about 15 GEL.