Parallel imports: 96 goods listed, new mechanism starts May 6

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The Industry and Trade Ministry has published a list of 96 goods eligible for parallel import, with the new mechanism set to begin operation on May 6.

What is parallel import?

Parallel import refers to the lawful entry of branded goods that were sold in other markets into Russia without the consent of the copyright holder. These products are not distributed through the brand’s official channels, but reach the Russian market through alternative routes.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade clarifies that parallel import does not authorize the import or circulation of counterfeit items. Products must have been legally marketed in their country of origin, and customs authorities will verify commodity nomenclature codes and brand names as directed by the ministry.

In drafting the list, the ministry emphasized protecting the interests of Russian consumers who rely on access to goods from foreign brands that exited the domestic market under sanctions imposed by unfriendly nations.

Earlier, the ministry’s head, Denis Manturov, stated that the department was prepared to rapidly assemble the list of brands covered by parallel imports, contingent on the actions of those brands in Russia. He noted that several firms had already signaled their willingness to continue supplying the Russian market despite removing themselves from the ministry’s compiled list.

Clothing and cosmetics

Parallel imports of clothing, hats, shoes, fabrics, fur and leather goods are allowed without brand-specific restrictions.

The list encompasses a wide range of cosmetics, including perfumes, shampoos, makeup, nail products, and related items. Some well-known brands popular in Russia, such as Garnier, L’Oréal, Yves Saint Laurent, Maybelline, Kiehl’s, and NYX, as well as many fragrance lines, are not included among the permitted cosmetics. Essential oral care products like Head and Shoulders, Pantene, and certain toothpaste brands are also noted as not part of the allowed set.

Parallel imports extend to pharmaceuticals, with emphasis on broad access to over-the-counter products and basic personal care items. Toys and sporting goods are likewise allowed under the program.

Automobiles and technology

The list covers certain automotive components, tires from major manufacturers such as Michelin, Continental and Bridgestone, and a wide array of Western car brands including Tesla, Toyota, Land Rover, BMW, Volkswagen, Skoda, Jeep, Subaru, Suzuki, Honda, Isuzu, Jaguar, Chrysler, Bentley, Mitsubishi, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Hummer and Rolls-Royce, among others—exceeding fifty brands in total.

Airfield equipment from Thyssenkrupp, along with railway locomotives, wagons, trams and other railway gear, as well as ships and boats, are listed for import under the parallel scheme. Smartphone and device brands such as Apple, Samsung, Sony, Asus, HP, Intel, Dell, GoPro, Panasonic, Nokia, LG and Toshiba are included as well.

Home appliances from Electrolux, Miele, Siemens, Dyson and Philips are part of the allowed imports, alongside gaming consoles from Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo, musical instruments, and related audio-visual equipment.

What else is on the list?

The scope extends further to rubber products, soaps, detergents, candles, plasticine, glue, matches, plastics, and related items, as well as explosives, weapons and even nuclear reactor components in theory. The list also mentions plant materials, including cut flowers, bulbs, seedlings and trees, and permits parallel import of salt, sulfur, soil, ore and ash, as well as metals such as aluminum, lead and zinc.

Is Russia facing lawsuits?

Reports from The Daily Telegraph suggest that parallel imports of foreign goods are unlikely to spur widespread lawsuits against importers by Western brands, given the expected costs of litigation. In one view, recognized legal practitioners note that well-known brands could enter Russia via neighboring countries such as Belarus and Kazakhstan.

A legal expert from an international firm commented that the aim behind sanctions and boycotts is often to exhaust the commodity markets. If one market narrows, a parallel market tends to fill the gap. Some analysts believe that certain brands might leverage parallel imports to continue supplying the Russian market unofficially, to their advantage.

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