Car registration may be denied for an unpaid recycling fee.

      This fee is intended for the subsequent environmentally sound disposal of the vehicle and is generally included in its price. It is paid either by the manufacturer if the vehicle was assembled in Russia, or by the importer when the car is brought in from abroad. However, if for some reason the fee was not remitted, all responsibility falls on the new owner.

      How to check whether the recycling fee has been paid

      Paper PTS. In the "Special remarks" section there should be an entry reading "Recycling fee paid."

      Electronic PTS (ePTS). You can check the information online — on the portal of the Russian Association of Motor Insurers (RSA) or on the Federal Tax Service (FTS) website. To search you will need the vehicle's VIN or the ePTS number. The status field should indicate "Active."

      It is important to note that if the recycling fee was paid recently, the data in the system are not updated immediately — usually within 1–3 business days.

      An exception applies to vehicles whose vehicle passports were issued before September 1, 2012 — the requirement to pay the recycling fee does not apply to them.