Policy Debate on Regulating E-commerce and Cross-Border Goods in Russia
There is a growing view that e-commerce activity should be governed by a separate regulatory framework in Russia, distinct from traditional wholesale and the import of goods intended for personal use. In an interview with RIA News, Ruslan Davydov, who heads the Federal Customs Service, outlined this perspective and stressed the importance of clear boundaries between these two modes of commerce.
Davydov explained that Russian customs authorities have been conducting focused research in collaboration with the Eurasian Economic Commission for several years. He noted that these studies have progressed through multiple stages and are approaching a final phase, signaling a potential shift in how cross-border online transactions are understood and treated under the law.
According to Davydov, e-commerce represents a form of trade where goods cross borders, yet the purchasers themselves may not physically cross. He argued that such operations should not be classified as personal-use imports, given their distinct commercial nature. The top customs official emphasized the necessity of separating these concepts with clear regulatory instruments to avoid confusion with standard retail exchanges and to improve compliance and oversight.
Mid-September brought public attention to the thorny issue of who pays for infrastructure in the digital marketplace. Major Russian online platforms, including Ozon, Wildberries, SberMarket, and others, were heard voicing strong concerns as a plan emerged to require payments to the Russian Post. The proposed bill would obligate large online retailers to contribute 0.5 percent of their quarterly turnover to the postal service, a move that these companies warned could erode profit margins and complicate the economics of online sales in Russia.
Historically, Russia has seen steady growth in online commerce, fueled by expanding digital adoption and the convenience of online shopping. The ongoing policy discussions reflect a broader effort to balance the advantages of a vibrant e-commerce ecosystem with the practicalities of regulatory oversight, customs administration, and the fiscal needs of national postal infrastructure. Stakeholders across government, industry, and logistics are watching closely as the regulatory landscape evolves in response to the increasing pace and scale of online trade within the country and across its borders. [Citation: RIA News]