Up until now, the machinery for the cigarettes production, as well as vape devices, Iqos and the corresponding raw materials had to be registered in the state register.
From April 1, 2024, the new law will enter into force requiring a license for the production, storage and supply of these products.
TKM International Consulting highlights the new article 14.67, to the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses, which sanctions officials involved in the production and distribution of cigarettes, vapes and similar products without a proper license with a penalty of up to 300K Rubles (3K Euro), while organizations face a fine of up to 1M Rubles (10K Euro), along with a potential suspension of activities for up to 3 months.
Moreover, production, supply, purchase (including import to the territory of Russia and export from the country), as well as storage of tobacco and nicotine containing products in large quantities without a license are punishable under the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. In case the value of end product or raw materials exceeds 100K Rubles (1K Euro), the new part of Article 171.3 of the Criminal Code imposes a fine of up to 1M Rubles (10K Euro) or an amount equal to the total income of the convicted person earned during the period of up to 3 years. The offenders may also be sentenced to imprisonment for up to 3 years.
The amendments are aimed at regulatory tightening of the tobacco market and, as a result, more effective suppression of counterfeiting within the industry. Nevertheless, the experts of TKM International Consulting emphasize that the practices based on the new regulation need to be developed and prove their effectiveness. Currently, TKM International Consulting provides protection to a number of foreign tobacco, electronic cigarettes and vapes manufacturers, ensuring the prevention of the distribution of low-quality and dangerous goods, as well as effectively suppressing the illegal use of trademarks by claiming damages from the infringers.
Source: https://www.pnp.ru/economics/nelegalnykh-proizvoditeley-sigaret-i-veypov-posadyat-v-tyurmu.html