The Ministry of Industry and Trade is preparing a draft measure that would remove liability for parallel imports. In plain terms, this document would officially permit goods to enter Russia without the explicit approval of copyright holders, a source told Izvestia. The proposal is currently being refined by sectoral ministries and the government apparatus.
At present, bringing products into the country without the brand owner’s consent carries a requirement to pay a fee of up to 5 million rubles and typically results in the destruction of the goods. The upcoming rule would shift that risk profile, but only for a carefully defined subset of products. Officials emphasize that liability relief will not apply to all imports; it will target items deemed essential to ensure the consumer market remains adequately supplied.
In practical terms this signals work on a specific list of goods that could be admitted via gray channels. Spare parts and components for automotive equipment are among the categories likely to fall under the proposed regime. The exact composition of this list remains under discussion, with the aim of balancing access to essential items against protections for brand owners and safety standards.
How these goods would actually enter the Russian market is still an open question. It is anticipated that dedicated intermediary firms, sometimes described as distribution pads, would purchase branded products from the countries where they are manufactured and then resell them into the domestic market. This model would create a controlled supply chain that bypasses conventional licensing without fundamentally undermining safety or regulatory oversight.
Analysts observed that brokers are already appearing for European goods, according to discussions with experts. The key uncertainty is whether the official seller has actually left Russia or merely paused operations. Clarity on this point is expected in May, when market evaluations and regulatory interpretations are likely to firm up.
The Federal Antimonopoly Service stressed that safety, quality, and licensing standards will continue to apply to parallel imports. There is a concern that expanding gray imports could raise the incidence of counterfeit products if brands cannot fully verify that items circulating in the market are genuine copies.
The topic of parallel imports has resurfaced multiple times in recent years. Back in 2015, auto parts dealers lobbied for the right to import without brand owner consent. Advocates argued that such a shift could lower repair costs, especially as some markets price branded goods highly while others offer more affordable alternatives. No final decision was reached at that time, leaving the issue unresolved for several years.
Business representatives in Russia view the potential legalization of parallel imports as a favorable development amid economic sanctions. They argue it could benefit both consumers and the broader economy by broadening access to essential goods and stabilizing supply chains. The important caveat remains: any new framework should cover only original goods disrupted by logistical challenges or the withdrawal of Western brands, to avoid confusion with counterfeit products or degraded quality.
Looking ahead, stakeholders expect a staged approach that respects intellectual property rights while ensuring market viability. The aim is to provide relief where it is most needed for consumers and businesses, without eroding the incentives for brands to maintain quality and innovation. The coming months will reveal how the list of approved items will be defined, how enforcement will operate, and how safeguard measures will be implemented to keep both competition and consumer trust intact.