The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has expanded the catalog of goods eligible for parallel imports, signaling a calibrated shift in how certain brands can enter the domestic market through alternative supply channels. Among the newly included items are cosmetics and prestige fragrances from Kerastase and Yves Saint Laurent, toys and children’s goods from Hasbro, Logitech, and Nintendo, as well as motor oils from Shell Helix and Rimula, together with spare parts for agricultural and marine equipment. This expansion reflects a deliberate policy move intended to broaden consumer access while maintaining market order and ensuring product availability across various sectors.
Importantly, these goods are not bound by intellectual property protection requirements typically imposed on rights holders, meaning that status quo patent protections do not apply in the same way to these parallel-imported products. This distinction helps clarify the legal framework governing these transactions and supports a more open import environment for qualifying items.
It is worth noting that this adjustment is described as targeted in scope. While it specifically broadens the list of items permitted for parallel imports, the ministry also indicated that some brands which had resumed deliveries to the Russian Federation may see changes in their status, though details on those second-phase adjustments were not fully specified at the moment. The overall aim remains to facilitate access to a curated range of goods through non-traditional supply lines while preserving oversight of import flows and consumer protections.
Under parallel import, the principle is that no counterfeit merchandise enters the market; rather, legitimate products are brought in through alternative routes. This approach can offer consumers a wider selection and potentially more competitive pricing without compromising authenticity or compliance with applicable safety and labeling standards. It also underscores the continuous effort by regulators to balance market openness with consumer safety and brand integrity.
- Driving information for this policy shift can be found in video coverage and public discussions on major platforms where analysts and officials outline the rationale and expected outcomes of the updated list.