Russian ministry drafts changes to parallel imports list with extension to 2026

MOSCOW. July 25 (Interfax) - Russia's Industry and Trade Ministry plans to reduce the list of goods eligible for parallel imports by cutting some mining equipment, household chemicals, and components for heavy machinery.

Some of the changes will go into effect at the end of October and some next year, six months after approval, the draft amendments published by the ministry on Thursday showed.

The ministry confirmed earlier that parallel imports, which were introduced in May 2022 in response to sanctions, will be extended for another year, through the end of 2026.

Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov said in an interview with Interfax in June that new revisions to the list of goods that fall under the parallel imports mechanism are expected at the end of August. Cuts to the list could include certain brands in light industry and radio electronics, he said.

The draft ministry order released Thursday shows that the mechanism might cease to apply to cutters for mining coal or rock and tunneling machines, as well as other drilling and tunneling machinery (customs codes TN VED 8430 31 000 0 and 8430 39 000 0). Some components for farm machinery from German brand Amazone, and axles for SAF trailers and semitrailers might also be excluded from the list.

Certain brands of hygiene and oral care products will also be cut. There are plans to revise the list of goods under code TN VED 3303 00 (perfume and eau de toilette); previously it listed exceptions, meaning goods to which parallel imports did not apply, but now those that can be imported without the approval of rights holders.

The ministry also proposes to remove Japanese printing ink and Ricoh printing equipment from the list, as well as cut Korean brand Autonics in the category of electrical equipment for switching and electric circuit protection.