Import Restrictions on Air Conditioners and Refrigerators in Russia
The Federal Customs Service of Russia has implemented new restrictions on the import of air conditioners and refrigerators, as reported by Kommersant. Since November 12, suppliers of equipment using R-410 freon are now required to obtain licenses for importation, leading to significant delays at the border. Igor Prudnikov, General Director of the Eurasian Association of the Heating Systems Market, indicated that these changes have resulted in substantial losses for suppliers, estimated between 200 million to 300 million rubles since October 12.
The Ministry of Natural Resources had previously announced on October 8 that licenses would be necessary for importing equipment containing refrigerant mixtures, a shift from the prior requirement that only applied to the freon itself. The Federal Customs Service confirmed that these measures are in line with the regulations established by the Eurasian Economic Commission, which governs the import and export of ozone-depleting substances.
Economic Implications of Import Restrictions
The impact of these restrictions extends beyond just the air conditioning market. Mikhail Belyaev, a candidate of economic sciences, highlighted that air conditioners are vital not only for residential use but also for various industries. The halt in imports could lead to a ripple effect, causing secondary slowdowns in production across multiple sectors. This could ultimately affect job stability, wage levels, and contributions to the national budget, as industries reliant on these cooling systems face operational challenges due to the lack of necessary equipment.
