FAS urged to extend parallel imports to all categories of goods

The head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of the Russian Federation Maxim Shaskolsky called for the introduction of a parallel import mechanism for all categories of goods at the final board of the agency on May 17.

President Vladimir Putin legalized parallel imports in June 2022; it was extended to 2023. The list of goods allowed for import, compiled by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, included electronics, several brands of auto chemicals and tools for Russian industry. The list has been updated several times. By December 2022, the Federal Customs Service estimated that $20 billion worth of goods had been imported into Russia through parallel imports.

“We believe it is correct to allow parallel imports of all goods, except for goods whose production is localized in Russia, i.e. jobs are created, taxes are paid, and the goods enter the domestic market,” Maxim Shaskolsky said. The head of the FAS emphasized that in case of parallel import we are talking only about legally purchased original goods of foreign manufacturers, the quality and safety of which can be checked and confirmed. The central bank has previously noted that the establishment of parallel imports helps to reduce prices.

Source: Kommersant