MOSCOW, March 13 – Russia’s industry ministry recently announced an expansion of the list of brands eligible for parallel imports without the need for trademark owner permission. This updated list now encompasses products from various renowned companies, including IKEA, Hasbro, Mattel, Lancome, Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Wahl, Zanussi, and Nintendo. The move is part of Russia’s strategy to ensure access to foreign goods amid sanctions imposed by Western nations in response to the Ukraine conflict.
Under the “parallel imports” scheme, Russian businesses are permitted to purchase products from overseas entities, irrespective of the product’s country of origin, as long as the transactions adhere to legal norms.
Notably, this expansion also incorporates luxury brands, domestically produced goods from Wahl and Zanussi, as well as Japan’s Nintendo. In addition to these, the list now includes motor oil brands and agricultural equipment manufacturers.
The updated list’s initial coverage was reported by Izvestia, which disclosed plans to add IKEA to the list later in the summer. The Ministry of Industry and Trade confirmed the accuracy of the list, stating that it is currently undergoing registration with the Ministry of Justice.
The ongoing availability of many high-profile brands in Russia, despite their withdrawal from the market, underscores the increasing consolidation and expansion of parallel importing mechanisms over the past year. This highlights the complexities that companies face in controlling their supply chains when exiting a particular market.
Furthermore, the ministry has revealed its intention to fine-tune the parallel importing mechanism, with a shift towards focusing on rights holders rather than brand names. This adjustment is expected to streamline the administrative process.
