The Russian Trade and Industry Ministry plans to adjust the system for importing goods that can be bought and sold simultaneously (parallel import)

The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia has published a draft of changes to the list of goods for parallel import, aiming to improve the control over imported products. According to reports by RIA "Novy Day" and Interfax, the proposed changes do not stem from the decreasing volume of parallel imports, but rather from the need to strengthen control over these products.

The draft suggests several modifications. Firstly, it proposes including patent registry records from Rospatent in the list, rather than brand names. This shift is expected to streamline the process and potentially reduce confusion.

Secondly, the draft excludes components for special equipment and household chemicals from the list of goods eligible for parallel import. This move is intended to ensure compliance with national standards and prevent potential hazards, particularly in areas such as safety and security.

The draft also proposes excluding certain types of mining equipment from the list of goods eligible for parallel import. The rationale behind this decision is not explicitly stated, but it is likely that these exclusions are made for the same reasons as those for household chemicals and components for special equipment.

It is important to note that the Ministry's aim is to improve the control over imported products, not to restrict parallel imports altogether. In fact, Deputy Minister Roman Chekushov stated that the volume of parallel imports has been decreasing and has remained around 1.5-1.4 billion dollars over the past two months. He also suggested that there is no need to increase the nomenclature covered by parallel imports as the trend is stable and likely to continue.

The new mechanism is a separate development from the Ministry's plan to fine-tune the mechanism to strengthen control over imported products. The new mechanism is expected to be implemented by the end of the year. It is worth mentioning that the Ministry's draft changes to the list of goods for parallel import have not been finalized yet.

The new mechanism does not alter the suggestion made by Roman Chekushov about the stability of the trend in parallel imports and the lack of need to increase the nomenclature covered by parallel imports. The change in the mechanism is not related to the decreasing volume of parallel imports.

In conclusion, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia is proposing changes to the list of goods for parallel import with the aim of improving control over these products. The changes include shifting from brand names to patent registry records, excluding certain types of mining equipment, household chemicals, and components for special equipment, and fine-tuning the mechanism to strengthen control. The new mechanism is expected to be implemented by the end of the year, but the draft has not been finalized yet.

The Russian Trade and Industry Ministry plans to adjust the system for importing goods that can be bought and sold simultaneously (parallel import)