Russia requires mandatory registration of foreign smartphones on government portal

The Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation is preparing for the mandatory registration of IMEI numbers for smartphones imported into the country without proper customs clearance. The initiative aims to combat gray market imports and protect consumers from counterfeit mobile devices. Owners who bought phones abroad will be required to register their gadgets within a specific timeframe.

• Mandatory IMEI registration on the government services portal for devices imported from abroad
• A strict two-week window to register the gadget after bringing it into the country
• Disconnection from mobile network services if the registration procedure is ignored
• Automatic database entry for officially imported and customs-cleared smartphones

How the new IMEI registration system will work

The proposed system relies on tracking unique 15-digit IMEI numbers assigned to every mobile device during manufacturing. According to RBC sources, individuals who purchase phones abroad and import them independently will need to submit data through the government portal within two weeks. If they fail to do so, local telecom operators will stop providing cellular services to those devices.

Devices that were already active in Russian networks before April 2027 will be exempt from this registration requirement. Official importers and buyers of legally cleared hardware will also remain unaffected, as their products will be added to the registry automatically. Ministry representatives noted that the project is still under government review and subject to adjustments.

Market implications and price impact

Industry experts predict significant shifts in the mobile device market once the rules take effect. Up to 70 percent of gray-market importers could leave the market entirely due to the impossibility of selling unregistered hardware. Furthermore, retail prices for certain smartphone models are projected to surge by as much as 40 percent.

The implementation period gives telecom operators and state agencies time to build robust infrastructure and a user-friendly interface on the portal. While the transition aims to smooth out the process, consumers will face tighter controls when acquiring electronics outside official retail channels.

What this means for users and businesses

For everyday users, purchasing smartphones from overseas online stores or during travels will require strict adherence to local regulatory procedures. Businesses relying on parallel imports must adjust their supply chains to ensure full customs compliance to prevent service blockages for end-users.