Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a federal law extending the parallel import mechanism for 2026. The document has been officially published and will enter into force on January 1, 2026, ensuring the preservation of one of the key instruments of foreign economic adaptation in the face of sanctions restrictions.
The parallel import mechanism has been in effect in Russia since May 2022 and allows the import of goods without the consent of the copyright holder or trademark owner. It was a response to the departure of a number of foreign brands and the disruption of traditional supply chains, allowing the market to stabilize and reduce the shortage of critical goods.
The adopted law extends the right of the Government of the Russian Federation to approve lists of goods for which certain provisions of the Civil Code on the protection of exclusive rights do not apply. This means that in 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers will be able to promptly adjust the list of products allowed for import through parallel channels, based on the market situation and the needs of the economy.
In addition to the parallel import mechanism itself, the law extends a whole range of anti-crisis powers of the government. In particular, the right remains to establish special rules for assessing product compliance with technical regulations, the specifics of the circulation of medicines and medical devices, as well as special licensing, accreditation and state control regimes.
The Cabinet's right to set other deadlines for the entry into force of regulations with mandatory requirements has also been extended for 2026, if they are aimed at reducing the negative effects of sanctions and increasing the sustainability of the economy.
Maxim Topilin, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, previously stressed the importance of extending the mechanism.: "The extension of the parallel import mechanism will make it possible to minimize the shortage of critically important goods in 2026."
For participants in foreign economic activity, this decision means maintaining legal certainty when planning imports, logistics, and contracts. Parallel imports remain a key tool for ensuring access to industrial equipment, electronics, automotive components, mass-market goods and products for technological chains.
Experts note that the extension of the regime signals the long-term nature of the transformation of Russia's foreign economic model and the willingness of the state to continue flexible regulation of trade in a changing geopolitical and sanctions environment.
