The Ministry of Industry and Trade is preparing another adjustment to the list of products allowed for import under the parallel import mechanism, and the vector of changes is the same again — the list is planned to be narrowed. This is an important signal for foreign economic activity: the market is entering a phase when the "parallel" is no longer a universal safety net and is increasingly becoming a point tool for the transition period — exactly where the needs for domestic production or supplies from friendly jurisdictions have not yet been closed.
The key to the department's position is to abandon the race for deadlines and focus on content.
"We had an approximately quarterly adjustment, and it is planned. And again, there is a continuing trend towards a decrease in the number of brands. Another package is currently being worked out, but I cannot say exactly when it will be accepted. We are not chasing dates, deep study is more important here. We plan to reduce it," he said.
For businesses, this means three practical conclusions.
The first is that the price of the legal purity of the commodity matrix increases. If a brand or category is removed from the list, the supply chain can become vulnerable all at once: from blocking purchases and freezing balances to claims for rights and risks under contracts. Therefore, it is necessary to keep a "risk passport" for each SKU in advance: origin, procurement channels, documentation base, possible alternatives and timing of switching.
Secondly, the negotiating position with foreign suppliers and intermediaries is changing. The reduction of the list is usually not "sectoral", but targeted — as import substitution and the appearance of substitutes on the market. This pushes importers to more stringent conditions in terms of deadlines, confirmation of the chain of ownership, return guarantees and compensation in case of regulatory changes.
Third, logistics and warehouses are getting a new planning mode. When the list "narrows down", it is important for importers to wrap goods faster, reduce dependence on long shoulders and avoid overcrowding warehouses with "controversial" items. Here, those who keep flexible routes, fast replenishment channels and accurate demand forecasts benefit.
Parallel imports were initially launched as an anti-crisis contour and a way to stabilize shelves and production. But as external chains are reconfigured and local alternatives grow, the regulator is expected to "remove the excess" from the list. For companies, this is the moment to switch from the "get in time" tactic to the "integrate into the new normal" strategy: diversify purchases, strengthen compliance, and prepare assortment replacements in advance.
