Russia may introduce a new “technology fee” on certain categories of electronics starting in September 2026. Vedomosti reported that the relevant amendments to the Tax Code, prepared by the Finance Ministry, were submitted to the government on November 6. The Industry and Trade Ministry confirmed that the charge is first expected to apply to finished electronic equipment and later be extended to electronic components and modules.
According to Faridaily, citing three anonymous federal officials, the mechanism is expected to be rolled out in stages. At the first stage it would cover products containing microelectronic components, a definition that could include a broad range of goods, from industrial equipment to smartphones, laptops, televisions, and other household appliances.
Sources quoted by Vedomosti say the fee is intended to be selective, targeting only segments where the share of Russian manufacturers remains low. Formally, both importers and producers would have to pay it, but Russian companies would be reimbursed through state support programs.
The proceeds are expected to be used to develop Russia’s radio-electronics and microelectronics industries, including the production of microchips. The Industry and Trade Ministry would be responsible for administration, drafting the regulatory framework, and selecting an operator. The scheme has been compared to the vehicle recycling fee, although Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Vasily Osmakov has previously said the new payment would be a support measure rather than a compensatory one.
The final list of goods and the rates will be set by a separate government resolution. According to Vedomosti’s sources, the maximum fixed payment even for the most expensive goods is not expected to exceed 5,000 rubles. One Faridaily source described the future burden as “tolerable” and likened it to paying “a little at a time.”
At the same time, market participants and Faridaily’s sources expect the additional costs of the fee and labeling to be passed on to end prices for both individual and business customers. It also remains unclear whether the fee will apply to electronics brought into the country by individuals for personal use. The preliminary assumption is that such items will be exempt, but the matter will only be clarified after the full set of official documents is published.