Russia expected to revise parallel imports list in Aug, might cut radio electronics, light industry products

ST. PETERSBURG. June 17 (Interfax) - Parallel imports into Russia are decreasing as imports are being replaced with domestic products and they currently total about $2 billion per month, Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov said in an interview with Interfax ahead of the 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

New revisions to the list of goods that fall under this mechanism are expected in August, he said.

"In the period that they have been in effect, parallel imports have proven their effectiveness. And their monthly volume has steadily decreased. It is now about $2 billion per month, although at its peak this figure was three times higher [$6 billion in December 2023]. This is closely related to the development of Russian manufacturing of the necessary goods, as well as supplies of products made in friendly countries," Alikhanov said.

He recalled that changes to the decree on parallel imports have been made eight times already since this mechanism went into effect, with the latest changes in the spring excluding cosmetic brands, among other things.

"The next changes to the list of goods permitted for parallel import are scheduled to be made at the end of August. Having said that, I'll note that a reduction is possible in future for certain items in light industry, in the field of radio electronics and other sectors, where import substitution is actively taking place," Alikhanov said.

Russia introduced the parallel imports mechanism in early May 2022 in response to sanctions imposed by "unfriendly" countries. Parallel imports totalled $6.8 billion in the first quarter of 2025, including $2.3 billion in January, $2.5 billion in February and $2 billion in March, Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Roman Chekushov told Interfax earlier.