A leading Russian retail association has supported a proposal to introduce a 22% VAT on goods purchased from foreign sellers via online marketplaces, as debate intensifies over new e-commerce tax rules.
Russia’s Association of Omnichannel Retail Companies (ACORT) has sent a letter to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin urging tighter regulation of online trade, according to Vedomosti.
The association backed the Industry and Trade Ministry’s proposal to impose a single 22% VAT rate on goods bought by individuals via marketplaces from foreign sellers starting in 2027. It also called for scrapping the current €200 tax-free import threshold, extending product labeling and traceability rules, and introducing stricter quality and safety controls.
The Finance Ministry had initially proposed a phased VAT increase on cross-border online purchases — 5% in 2027, 10% in 2028, 15% in 2029, and 20% in 2030 — while the Industry and Trade Ministry pushed for an immediate 22% rate from 2027. A later compromise suggested 7% in 2027, 14% in 2028, and 22% (about 22%) from 2029.
Supporters of the measure say it is intended to level the playing field between domestic and foreign sellers, as Russian companies currently pay full VAT while imported goods sold via marketplaces are effectively exempt.
The Finance Ministry’s draft law on cross-border e-commerce VAT is currently undergoing interagency review.
Source: Vedomosti
