15 Mar 2023 12:15

Russian Industry and Trade Ministry adds 11 car models to parallel import list

MOSCOW. March 15 (Interfax) - Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade has expanded its list of goods for parallel importation, including some car brands that were not previously included.

According to the ministry's published order, cars and trucks from Citroen, Dacia, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Mazda, Opel, Peugeot, and Renault may now be imported into Russia without the consent of their copyright holders.

The list is also supplemented by a number of brands of motor oils (Shell (SPB: RDS.A) Helix, Rimula), household appliances (Zanussi, Wahl), cosmetics and perfumes (Kerastase, Yves Saint Laurent), spare parts for agricultural equipment and ships (Caterpillar , Bauer Kompressoren) and others. Also included in the list are brands of toys and children's products, such as Hasbro, Logitech and Nintendo, according to a ministry press release.

"Import stimulus is aimed at those niches in which Russian producers need more time to meet the needs of industrial enterprises and end consumers," the ministry said.

Going forward, the ministry plans to move from inclusion of brands in the list to inclusion of copyright holders, which will simplify the administration of this procedure."

The parallel import mechanism involves the use of the international principle of copyright expiration and allows for the import of goods without the consent of the copyright holder from the moment sales start in any country in the world. In Russia, it began to operate in early May and applies to groups of goods and brands included on a list approved by the Industry and Trade Ministry which contains items not produced in Russia whose supply has been banned by their foreign manufacturers.