In May, Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade approved a list of goods eligible for parallel imports, which gave the impression that the official channel for bringing new cars into the country had been stabilized. Yet a fresh hurdle soon appeared. Under existing regulations, customs procedures could not permit the entry of vehicles without a Vehicle Type Approval (OTTS). Obtaining this document required the permission of the vehicle’s manufacturer, creating a bottleneck that slowed the pace of new car arrivals through non-traditional routes.
As summer arrived, the stance shifted again. The government relaxed the restriction and allowed legal entities to move new cars from other markets and to certify vehicles through a simplified process. This change opened doors for more flexible logistics and sparked renewed interest in the parallel import model, which many observers hoped would lessen shortages across certain segments of the market.
Among the early movers in the parallel import space is the Avilon holding company. It has begun to offer a curated line of imported vehicles through this channel, including premium models and high-demand SUVs. The current lineup features models such as the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, the Land Rover Defender, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as the Volkswagen ID.6 and the Audi Q5 E-tron. These cars illustrate how parallel imports can provide immediate access to sought-after configurations that may not be readily available through conventional imports.
The parallel import framework is widely viewed as a practical, if partial, remedy to the vehicle shortage. Practically speaking, the financial appeal lies in the ability to bring premium cars onto dealer lots at a price point that remains attractive in parallel to the traditional import pipeline. In contrast, more affordable and mid-range vehicles are expected to come through a broader mix of sources, including domestic manufacturers as well as foreign producers from places like China and, over time, Iran, where production and export capabilities are evolving rapidly. This diversified approach aims to balance demand across price segments and improve showroom variety for Canadian and American buyers as well as domestic markets elsewhere.
Industry observers note that the premium segment benefits the most from parallel imports. Dealers emphasize that this channel can partially alleviate the shortage in upscale models, ensuring that showrooms display a wider array of choices. However, even with these shifts, the total volume of vehicles arriving via parallel channels does not yet reach the levels seen before sanctions altered the global trade landscape. As stated by an independent automotive consultant, the current flow via parallel imports expands availability but does not replicate the scale of the pre-sanctions era, underscoring a gradual, staged improvement rather than a wholesale turnaround. The conversation around these developments continues to center on how to harmonize regulatory flexibility with consumer demand, supplier reliability, and after-sales support in a way that benefits buyers across North America and beyond.