The State Duma Committee on Industry and Trade has supported the introduction of a value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods sold on digital platforms, regardless of the duty-free import threshold. This is necessary to level the playing field with Russian manufacturers, according to a draft recommendation following parliamentary hearings.
The initiative is aimed at supporting the light industry: due to the high proportion of manual labor, production costs, and low profitability, domestic enterprises are losing out to imports on price, "especially given the popularity of shopping on digital platforms," the document states.
The Committee also recommended that the government develop measures to promote Russian goods on marketplaces and provide preferences for domestic suppliers when calculating commissions.
Currently, the duty-free threshold for overseas purchases is €200 and 31 kg. In October 2025, the Ministry of Finance proposed a gradual introduction of VAT for such goods: 5% in 2027, 10% in 2028, 15% in 2029, and 20% in 2030, with the tax being levied on all purchases regardless of the amount.
However, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is pushing for a stricter option. In February 2026, the head of the ministry, Anton Alikhanov, stated that the ministry advocates for introducing a full 22% VAT on foreign goods starting January 1, 2027, to ensure equal conditions for Russian and foreign sellers.
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The initiative is aimed at supporting the light industry: due to the high proportion of manual labor, production costs, and low profitability, domestic enterprises are losing out to imports on price, "especially given the popularity of shopping on digital platforms," the document states.
The Committee also recommended that the government develop measures to promote Russian goods on marketplaces and provide preferences for domestic suppliers when calculating commissions.
Currently, the duty-free threshold for overseas purchases is €200 and 31 kg. In October 2025, the Ministry of Finance proposed a gradual introduction of VAT for such goods: 5% in 2027, 10% in 2028, 15% in 2029, and 20% in 2030, with the tax being levied on all purchases regardless of the amount.
However, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is pushing for a stricter option. In February 2026, the head of the ministry, Anton Alikhanov, stated that the ministry advocates for introducing a full 22% VAT on foreign goods starting January 1, 2027, to ensure equal conditions for Russian and foreign sellers.
Source