Government defines procedures for parallel imports

June 6, BPN. On June 3, the Council of Ministers adopted a directive establishing procedures for parallel imports of goods essential for the domestic market.

Such goods may be imported without the permission of foreign rights holders, including those from “unfriendly” countries, it says.

The directive has entered into force after its publication on the National Legal Internet Portal on June 6.

The move should improve economic stability and prevent critical shortages in the domestic food market, the government noted.

The Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade is in charge of compiling the parallel imports list, while regional authorities, government agencies as well as organizations subordinate to Alaksandr Łukašenka are authorized to update it.

The list will be available on the ministry’s website except for commercial or official secrets protected by law.

In early 2023, Belarus adopted legislation that legalizes piracy and “gray” imports of goods from what the government calls “unfriendly” countries.