Russia introduces road tax for lorries from the EU

Since 1 February 2009 vehicles of a cargo capacity of more than 3,5t are subjected to a new road tax in Russia. This is 385,- Rouble (€ 8,5) a day, 1154,- Rouble (€ 25,-) per week, 5.000,- Rouble (€ 110,-) per month and 60.000,- Rouble (€ 1.310,-) per year.

The EU-Commission considers this road tax discriminating as it only affects the 27 EU-countries, Switzerland and Turkmenistan. These are all countries in which Russian freight carriers are also subject to contributing to road maintenance. The EU cannot take any legal action against Russia because this country is no member of the World Trade Organisation WTO.