The State Duma Committee approved additional duties on Apple equipment in Russia

The initiative proposes establishing fines or higher customs duties for equipment that does not comply with the law on pre-installation of Russian software. “This will be a kind of financial disincentive for the company. [Apple]which, even if it is through third countries, is present invisibly in our large and exclusive market,” explained the head of the Duma committee, Vladimir Gutenev.

According to him, due to the additional fees, Apple products will become more expensive and therefore less competitive. “The money raised can be used to support Russian developers, for example, to subsidize loan rates,” the deputy added.

The bill, according to the authors, will ensure the stable provision of Internet services, public and private services to Russians, and will not require additional costs. The government and the President’s State Legal Department supported the document on the condition that it be finalized.

The initiative could be considered in first reading in November, said Anton Gorelkin, deputy chairman of the State Duma’s IT Committee. The review will then begin and possibly a working group will be created. The approval of the amendments will take several months, the deputy noted.

In July 2024, the government approved a list of 19 programs that must be preinstalled on devices sold in Russia. It includes the payment service “Mir”, “Gosuslugi” and the Russian app store Rustore.