Customs has removed restrictions on the import of refrigerators and air conditioners.

“To resolve the situation related to the ambiguous position of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation, which allows a double interpretation of the procedure for importing equipment into the country, <...> “The Federal Customs Service of Russia decided to recognize as not subject to application the letter by which the position of the Ministry of Natural Resources was communicated to the customs authorities,” the service reported in a statement.

The day before, Kommersant wrote that from November 12, the Federal Customs Service began to require licenses from the Ministry of Industry and Trade from suppliers of air conditioners, refrigerators and other equipment with R-410 freon. Experts interviewed by the newspaper noted that obtaining a permit takes at least 45 days, and the delay in deliveries itself could cause a shortage of air conditioners in Russia, since “they are not manufactured in the country.”

The Ministry of Natural Resources indicated that no new restrictions were introduced. The ministry explained that the list of substances whose import is prohibited was approved in 2016, and the regulation procedure is determined by the government decree “On measures of state regulation of consumption and circulation of substances that deplete the ozone layer” of 2022 .

Later, Citylink’s press service informed RB.RU that this retail chain has sufficient stock of refrigerators and air conditioners to meet demand amid the imposed restrictions, so no shortage of such devices is expected.