The Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation has announced the preparation of a regulatory mechanism that will oblige owners of smartphones imported into the country without proper customs clearance to register their devices on the Gosuslugi (State Services) portal. According to RBC, citing well-informed sources, the initiative aims to control the so-called "gray" import of mobile phones through the IMEI database—a unique 15-digit number assigned to each device during production. A representative of the Ministry of Digital Development confirmed that if registration is refused after a established two-week period, the devices will no longer be serviced on telecom operator networks.
How Registration Will Work and Who Is Covered by the Requirement
According to the outlined scheme, the obligation to register the device on Gosuslugi within two weeks will apply to two categories of users: those who independently purchased a smartphone abroad and imported it into Russia, and owners of counterfeit devices. At the same time, devices that have undergone official customs clearance enter the IMEI database automatically, so legal importers and buyers of their products are not affected by the new rules. A separate exception is provided for devices that were already operating in Russian communication networks before April 2027: they will not require registration.
Project Status and Possible Adjustments
A representative of the Ministry of Digital Development clarified that the draft regulatory act at the time of publication is still being discussed in the government and may undergo adjustments. This means that specific deadlines, the list of exceptions, and technical details of the registration procedure may change before the final approval of the document. Nevertheless, the fact that the initiative is being prepared by the agency has been confirmed, and the logic of control through the IMEI database has already been elaborated.
Expert Assessments: Impact on the Market and Prices
Analysts, commenting on the initiative, predict significant consequences for the Russian mobile device market. According to their estimates, up to 70% of "gray" import participants may leave the market, as the business model based on importing devices without customs clearance will become impossible. At the same time, experts warn of a possible price increase for a number of smartphone models by up to 40%, driven by the redistribution of product flows in favor of legal supply channels and rising customs clearance costs.
Context: Expanding Digital Control Over Devices
The IMEI registration initiative fits into a broader trend of tightening state control over digital devices in Russia. Previously, according to several media outlets, data collection on smart home gadgets was also discussed, including their installation addresses and the numbers of linked SIM cards. The combination of such measures points to the formation of a comprehensive accounting system for electronic devices used by citizens, affecting both consumer rights and issues of digital security and tax control.
