Russia keeps Apple, Samsung smartphones on parallel import list
MOSCOW — Russia's Industry and Trade Ministry has confirmed that smartphones from major foreign brands, including Apple and Samsung, will remain on the country's parallel import list, allowing them to be brought into the country without the consent of their trademark holders. The decision was reported May 4 by the Russian state news agency TASS.
The ministry said that cell phones, including smartphones, from brands such as Alcatel-Lucent, Apple, Asus, Cisco, Google Pixel, Samsung, Nokia, and others, will continue to be eligible for parallel imports. The mechanism, which has been in effect since March 2022, permits goods to be imported into Russia without the authorization of copyright holders.
Coverage comparison
The two reports from TASS, both citing the Industry and Trade Ministry, present a consistent picture of Russia's parallel import policy, though with different emphases. The first story highlights the retention of smartphones on the list, framing it as a continuation of the government's approach to maintaining consumer access to foreign technology. The second report focuses on the exclusion of certain computer equipment, presenting it as a positive move that will not harm the domestic market and could help local manufacturers.
TASS, as a state-run news agency, has a vested interest in presenting Russian government actions favorably. Both articles rely heavily on official statements from the Ministry, which may not capture the full picture of the parallel import regime's impact on Russian consumers and businesses. The agency noted that the parallel import list is constantly updated based on an ongoing analysis that considers factors such as the availability of domestic alternatives.
Key claims
* Smartphones from Apple, Samsung, and other foreign brands remain on Russia's parallel import list, allowing them to be imported without the consent of intellectual property holders. * The list also includes phones from Alcatel-Lucent, Asus, Cisco, Google Pixel, and Nokia, among others. * The Ministry emphasized that these products must still meet Russian safety, origin, and certification requirements. * In November, the Ministry approved amendments excluding some computer equipment – specifically computers from Acer, Asus, HP, Intel, and Samsung – from the list.
Perspectives
The Ministry says the exclusion of certain computer equipment will not affect the product range because sufficient domestic alternatives exist. It said in a statement that these products are available from Russian manufacturers "in sufficient quantities to replace products from unfriendly countries." The Ministry hopes the measure will increase demand for domestic electronics, facilitating the development of Russia's homegrown electronics industry.
Parallel imports were legalized in Russia in March 2022, following sweeping Western sanctions imposed over the conflict in Ukraine and the subsequent exodus of many foreign companies from the Russian market. This policy has been part of Russia's broader effort to maintain consumer access to goods and services that would otherwise be unavailable or drastically more expensive since import restrictions took effect.
However, TASS's reports do not address the potential downsides of parallel imports, such as the absence of official warranties and support for these products in Russia. It also does not mention the broader international context regarding sanctions, which has led many companies to self-regulate and restrict exports to Russia, even if they are not formally prohibited. Business representatives have flagged these challenges in other forums, suggesting that while parallel imports can mitigate supply disruptions, they do not fully compensate for the loss of official distribution networks.
As reported by TASS, the Industry and Trade Ministry said it will continue to monitor the market and adjust the parallel import list accordingly.