Smartphones, laptops may see price hike due to new electronics production levy

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Russia is considering introducing a technology levy on certain types of electronics, RBC reports, citing documents from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia. The proposal includes a payment of 250 rubles ($3.5) for smartphones and 500 rubles ($7) for laptops.

According to documents presented at an industry meeting, the levy could also affect other devices: for cordless phones, the rate is being discussed at 100 rubles ($1.4), and for other telephone devices - 25 rubles ($0.35).

It is expected that the obligation to pay will fall on manufacturers and suppliers of the equipment - both legal entities and individual entrepreneurs. The payment will be collected before the products enter the market: after registering the goods in the system, the amount of the levy will be automatically calculated within three days, and payment must be made within 10 working days. Only then will the sale of the devices be allowed.

The new mechanism is expected to come into effect on September 1, 2026. The ministry noted that the parameters of the initiative are being developed in consultation with businesses and industry associations, including RATEK (Russian Association of Trading Companies and Goods Producers) and AKIT (Association of Companies of the Internet Trade). The final levy rates will be set by a separate government decree.