Russia published Friday a list of a hundred categories of goods whose import without the agreement of the holders of the intellectual property is authorized in order to circumvent the restrictions decided since its offensive in Ukraine.
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Among these products, we find Apple or Samsung phones, major car brands, game consoles or even materials and spare parts used in industry, according to a document published by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
There are also everyday consumer products, such as cutlery.
“According to this document, the legal responsibility is waived in case of import of these productions by importers bypassing the official distribution channels,” the ministry said.
Many of these goods are produced by groups that have decided to withdraw from the Russian market following the offensive against Ukraine. Others, such as spare parts for the automotive industry, fall under the sanctions imposed by the West.
This mechanism of parallel imports should make it possible to avoid shortages in industry and in the trade of goods that Russia is currently unable to produce itself.
The ministry nevertheless insists on the fact that it is not “an authorization to import or sell counterfeits”.
President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly claimed in recent weeks that the West has failed to bring Russia’s economy to its knees with sanctions, even as they hurt the supply chain, financial sector and industry.