Pirate Russia. Import Survival

Apple, Samsung and other brands in Russia are no longer needed. More precisely, they are needed, of course – the country respects the opinion of the consumer. Therefore, since they do not want to carry goods in good health, it was decided not to ask permission. The Ministry of Industry and Trade presented a list of goods that are given the green light by parallel imports. About 200 names of foreign brands have replenished this list. It was decided to circumvent Western sanctions to the end.

Russian economists believe that there is nothing difficult in parallel imports. The new norm only means that the market will be full, as before, regardless of the sanctions: for some time now, the import of certain groups of goods does not need to be coordinated with the right holders. As for the issue of pricing, guarantees and other legal norms, including certification, these disputes are left to the conscience of importers.

Until the 2000s, all importers worked on a similar principle. That is, modern Russia will live according to the same patterns as 15-20 years ago, when there were no rules for each brand and retail chains.

A product warranty was issued at the time, but had limited effect. Usually, if the product is defective, they changed it to a new one or an analogue – they acted as dictated by the internal law on the protection of consumer rights.

Between the actual availability of goods on the market (which was already pleasing!) And the quality of such goods, priority was given to the first. Given the current realities, what will the modern consumer choose? Probably, the government’s decision is correct: people are used to smartphones, TVs, smart home appliances and other everyday pleasures…

For Russia, parallel imports have become a matter of peace in society and the survival of the country as a whole. Import substitution, unfortunately, is lame on at least one leg, and drags the other one decades away from the past. Industries depend on imports. The budget depends on imports. A lot depends on imports.

Between piracy akin to the 90s and the beginning of the “zero”, and the observance of national interests, the boundaries have been erased. But the success of such actions will depend on the perseverance of Western partners and their satellites in Eastern Europe. The more actively the fight against the invented scheme unfolds, the more difficult it will be for Russia to succeed.