Jewelry retailers have put forward a proposal to the Ministry of Finance aimed at relaxing the rules for pickup points handling marketplace orders. The goal is to boost the development of remote jewelry trade. This stance comes from a letter circulated by Vadim Serov, the CEO of the Goldsmiths’ Association, to the ministry, as reported by Kommersant. The core aim is to ease compliance requirements for marketplace buy-pickups and reduce friction for sellers looking to expand beyond traditional storefronts.
The Jewelry Association asks for the removal of the mandatory registration in the state system that monitors the movement of precious metals, stones, and products, known as GIIS DMDC, for marketplace pickup points. In practical terms, owners of pickup points would no longer need to enter data for every item sold, along with highly detailed product information. Critics argue that providing such granular data could clash with consumer packaging regulations, risking the closure of some pickup points due to possible administrative penalties. This tension highlights the challenge of balancing traceability with operational flexibility in a growing system that supports online-to-offline sales.
The letter also calls for including duty-free shops within the GIIS DMDC framework. The absence of duty-free points in the system creates operational gaps. For example, when an item is returned, the system may fail to recognize it, effectively preventing that jewelry from being resold outside the duty-free area. Market observers note that current regulatory provisions create several hurdles for jewelry sales, especially as more merchants explore marketplace channels. Proponents argue that adjusting the regime could ease business burdens and attract additional entrepreneurs to sell jewelry through online marketplaces, though practical challenges remain. There is an elevated risk of loss or theft of expensive pieces when sold via remote channels, which must be addressed through risk management and tighter verification procedures.
On March 9, Alexis Nazard, the CEO of Swarovski, an Austrian jewelry company, stated that the brand plans to withdraw entirely from the Russian market. Nazard indicated that the withdrawal would be conducted in full compliance with applicable laws, though he did not specify a timetable for the exit. The decision underscores the broader strategic considerations that international jewelry brands face when navigating regulatory and market dynamics across regions. Analysts in North America and Europe are watching how regulatory changes, cross-border trade rules, and brand strategies will shape the jewelry sector in the coming months, including the balance between online marketplaces and traditional retail channels. These developments are relevant for Canadian and U.S. retailers and manufacturers seeking to optimize supply chains, comply with anti-money-laundering and consumer protection standards, and manage authentication and provenance concerns in a fast-changing market. In this environment, clear guidance from regulators, coupled with practical, scalable data requirements, can help markets grow while maintaining trust in high-value jewelry transactions, according to industry commentary and market analysis reported by Kommersant and related trade voices.