To avoid sanctions
Russia allows import without permit
May 6, 2022 at 6:33 p.m
The Kremlin claims that the sanctions against Western companies are ineffective. However, some products seem to be extremely popular. For this reason, Russia now wants to allow the import of smartphones from Apple and Samsung as well as cars and game consoles without the consent of the rights holders.
Russia has allowed the import of products from around a hundred categories of goods without the consent of rights holders in order to avoid sanctions imposed over the Ukraine offensive. The list published by the Department of Industry and Commerce includes Apple and Samsung smartphones, major car brands, game consoles and spare parts used in various industries. They also include everyday consumer goods such as cutlery and cosmetics.
“This document eliminates civil liability when products are imported by importers bypassing the official distribution channels,” the ministry said. However, it is doubtful whether the decree will actually tempt dealers and middlemen to make the risky import.
Many of the listed goods are manufactured by companies that decided to exit the Russian market after Moscow sent troops to Ukraine on February 24. Other goods, such as car parts, can no longer be imported because of the international sanctions against Moscow. With the new regulation, Russia wants to avoid bottlenecks in goods that it cannot currently produce itself.
The ministry stressed that the new regulation was not “an authorization to import or distribute counterfeits”. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said the Russian economy is weathering the sanctions well, but economists believe the worst economic impact is yet to come.