Only 14% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) specialized in parallel imports last year. The newspaper reports this “News” Citing a survey by PSB Analytics and the National Agency for Financial Research (NAFI).
According to the research, most companies prefer other methods of import substitution. 39% of SMEs expanded their supplier base, 27% opened new business areas. Many people buy products already imported into Russia for resale or find analogues from friendly countries. The publication states that companies have begun to produce the necessary products themselves.
According to Alexander Isaevich, general director of SME Corporation, it is difficult for small companies to adapt to the frequently changing parallel import mechanism. It is easier for companies to purchase goods that have already been imported or to find new ones. Parallel imports are more suitable for large players and simple consumer products that do not require service.
For small businesses, this mechanism is fraught with risks. It is difficult for small companies to keep track of changes in lists of permitted goods. In addition, importing goods from unfriendly countries often requires the creation of complex import plans through various intermediaries.
Small businesses may lack the experience, knowledge and partners to do this. Entrepreneurs need to understand the intricacies of customs legislation to avoid claims. Some brands ban the import of their products into Russia in principle.
A parallel import mechanism has been launched to provide businesses and citizens with goods whose analogues are not yet produced in Russia. But Isaevich believes that it should be phased out.
Although this mechanism helps mitigate the impact of sanctions, it also has significant disadvantages. First, parallel imports accelerate inflation in the country because imported goods are more expensive. Secondly, the newspaper writes that it may slow down the development of own production and import substitution in Russia.
At the beginning of February it became known which cars were most often imported In the Russian Federation for parallel import in 2023.
previously economist explainedWhen will parallel imports be abolished in Russia?