Parallel import to Russia — for branded goods not subject to sanctions
Russia’s legal parallel-import regime lets distributors import genuine branded goods without the brand owner’s authorisation. We handle the chain — payment of your invoice, transit, customs and labelling — strictly for goods that are not subject to sanctions.
What Russia’s parallel-import regime is
Parallel import is the legal import into Russia of genuine branded goods without the trademark owner’s consent. Since 2022 it has been permitted under a list published by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, covering categories such as machinery, auto parts, electronics, cosmetics and clothing whose manufacturers have left the Russian market. It concerns trademark rights in Russia — it is not counterfeit and not smuggling.
Parallel import is a Russian intellectual-property rule. It does not override EU export law: goods covered by EU (or UK, Swiss or US) sanctions remain off-limits. We handle only branded goods that are not subject to sanctions, we do not move sanctioned or dual-use goods, and we screen HS codes and all parties before accepting cargo.
For a distributor, wholesaler or manufacturer outside Russia, the practical question is how to sell such goods to a Russian buyer cleanly: how you get paid, who handles export and transit, and who deals with Russian customs and labelling. We cover this chain under one contract with the buyer.
How the supply is organised
1. Purchase order
The Russian buyer (or our partner acting as their agent) orders from you as a distributor or wholesaler; we check the goods and the parties first.
2. You get paid
Your invoice is paid in EUR, USD or CNY by our payment agent under an agency agreement with the buyer.
3. Transit
Goods travel via Turkey, the UAE or Armenia, with correct documentation of origin and transit papers.
4. Customs and labelling
Russian customs clearance, EAC conformity marking and Chestny ZNAK codes — the goods arrive ready for legal sale.
Product groups on the parallel-import list
- ✓Auto parts and components of European and Japanese brands
- ✓Industrial and commercial equipment, machine tools, components
- ✓Electronics, household appliances, IT equipment
- ✓Cosmetics, perfumery, beauty products
- ✓Clothing, footwear and accessories of brands that have left Russia
- ✓Medical equipment and consumables
Sanctions come first
Being on the Russian parallel-import list does not make a product exportable from the EU. Before quoting we check the HS code against EU Regulation 833/2014 and equivalent UK, Swiss and US restrictions, and screen the buyer, the consignee and any intermediaries. If a product is sanctioned or dual-use, we decline — on every route.
Transit routes and times
| Route | Transit | When chosen |
|---|---|---|
| Via Turkey | 25–35 days | Sea and road consignments, Middle Eastern suppliers |
| Via the UAE | 25–40 days | Electronics, air and sea shipments |
| Via Armenia (EAEU) | 20–30 days | Small and medium consignments |
💡 EAC marking and Chestny ZNAK
Many products cannot be sold in Russia without marking. We arrange EAC declarations and certificates and apply Chestny ZNAK codes (clothing, footwear, perfume, tyres and more), so the consignment is ready for legal sale on arrival.
Parallel import: supplier FAQ
Is parallel import legal?
In Russia, yes: since 2022 it has been permitted under the Ministry of Industry and Trade list. It is the import of genuine goods without the brand owner’s consent — not counterfeiting and not smuggling. On the export side, EU sanctions law applies in full, so we work only with goods that are not subject to sanctions.
Do you handle sanctioned or dual-use goods?
No. We do not move goods subject to EU (or UK, Swiss or US) sanctions or dual-use items, and we screen HS codes and parties before accepting cargo. A different transit country does not change that.
How will I be paid?
Under an agency agreement with the buyer, our payment agent pays your invoice in EUR, USD or CNY. You receive an ordinary bank transfer referencing your invoice.
How long does an end-to-end delivery take?
On average 25–40 days from payment to release of the cleared goods in Russia — depending on the transit route, the product category and stock availability.
Do you handle marking and certification?
Yes. We arrange EAC declarations and certificates of conformity and apply Chestny ZNAK codes where required. The consignment arrives ready for sale.