Parallel importing has unlocked access to scarce goods for any company operating in Russia. Yet two conditions must be met for these imports to be officially recognized.
- First, the name of a specific trademark and its TN VED code must appear on the Ministry of Industry and Trade list, as outlined in Order No. 1532 dated April 19, 2022.
- Second, the goods must come with all required certificates and proof of origin.
In practice, not every spare part or component passes these two hurdles. The automotive market hosts thousands of brands, and a sizable number are not listed by the ministry. Brands like Welte, EDS, Spicer, and GMB show up in the market through gray channels, often at a premium due to their ambiguous status.
Industry perspective
Experts note that expanding the list of eligible brands is crucial. While parallel imports currently satisfy a large share of demand, estimates indicate coverage ranges from 50 to 80 percent for the Russian auto parts sector. Silos remain for heavy trucks and specialized equipment from brands such as Scania, Man, John Deere, and Liebherr, where supply gaps persist.
Automotive service centers are responding by sourcing equivalents from friendly countries like China or Turkey. This approach helps bridge shortfalls, but it rarely resolves all gaps quickly. Even with a concerted effort over the past year, critical items remain scarce and time-consuming to obtain.
The trajectory of parallel imports is likely to broaden. There is hope that the ministry’s list will keep expanding, gradually reducing dependence on foreign brands as domestic production develops and can match or exceed foreign quality levels.
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