RUSSIA
Since July 2016, entry into force in July 2018
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Mandatory disclosure of business trade secrets such as algorithms or source code
Federal Law No. 374-FZ on Amendments to the Federal Law on Countering Terrorism and certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation in terms of establishing additional measures to counter terrorism and ensure public security (Федеральный закон от 06.07.2016 г. № 374-ФЗ О внесении изменений в Федеральный закон «О противодействии терроризму» и отдельные законодательные акты Российской Федерации в части установления дополнительных мер противодействия терроризму и обеспечения общественной безопасности)
Federal Law No. 374 allows Russian security services to request that internet companies hand over their encryption keys. Firms who do not comply with these orders risk having their services blocked in the country, as happened to the messaging app Telegram, which remained blocked in Russia for approximately 2 years. Other messaging apps, such as Zello, BlackBerry Messenger, Imo, Line, and Vchat, were blocked for the same reason.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230922224736/http://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_201078/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20221225222240/https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2016-07-18/russia-new-electronic-surveillance-rules/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231218171205/https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/2019_National_Trade_Estimate_Report.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230908091725/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43752337
- https://freedomhouse.org/country/russia/freedom-net/2024#B
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231205100001/https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/18/21295535/russia-telegram-ban-lifted-security
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231211183539/https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/04/24/russias-internet-war-and-its-collateral-damage
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RUSSIA
Since September 2016
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Government Resolution No. 925 "On the priority of goods of Russian origin, work, services performed by Russian persons in relation to goods originating from a foreign state, work, services performed by foreign persons" (Постановление Правительства Российской Федерации от 16 сентября 2016 г. N 925 г. Москва "О приоритете товаров российского происхождения, работ, услуг, выполняемых, оказываемых российскими лицами, по отношению к товарам, происходящим из иностранного государства, работам, услугам, выполняемым, оказываемым иностранными лицами")
Government Resolution No. 925, adopted on 16 September 2016, applies broadly to all goods, works, and services, introducing a 15% price preference for domestically produced products. Alternatively, it imposes a 15% price reduction on foreign products during tendering procedures. Additionally, paragraph 8 of Resolution No. 925 stipulates that priority must be determined in compliance with the provisions of GATT 1994 and the EAEU Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal
RUSSIA
N/A
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Signatory of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) with coverage of the most relevant services sectors (CPC 752, 754, 84)
Lack of participation in the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA)
Russia is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). However, the country has been an observer of the WTO GPA since 2013.
Coverage Horizontal
RUSSIA
Since April 2008, as amended in January 2015, last amended in April 2023
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Federal Law No. 57-FZ "On Procedures for Foreign Investments in Companies Having Strategic Importance for National Security and Defence" (Федеральный закон от 29 апреля 2008 г. N 57-ФЗ "О порядке осуществления иностранных инвестиций в хозяйственные общества, имеющие стратегическое значение для обеспечения обороны страны и безопасности государства")
Under Art. 2 of Federal Law No. 57, foreign states, international organisations, and entities under their control — including those established in Russia — are prohibited from entering into transactions that would grant them a majority interest in business entities deemed strategically important for national defence and state security. Consequently, foreign state-controlled investors are restricted from acquiring more than 50% of shares or majority voting rights in such companies.
According to Art. 6 of the law business strategically important for national defence and state security include those involved in the development and production of encryption tools, maintenance of cryptographic systems, and provision of encryption services, as well as activities such as detecting covert information-gathering devices.
According to Art. 6 of the law business strategically important for national defence and state security include those involved in the development and production of encryption tools, maintenance of cryptographic systems, and provision of encryption services, as well as activities such as detecting covert information-gathering devices.
Coverage Business entities of strategic importance in digital field
RUSSIA
Since December 1991, as amended in January 2016, last amended in 2025
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Law No. 2124-1 of 27 December 1991 on Mass Media (Закон РФ от 27 декабря 1991 г. N 2124-I "О средствах массовой информации")
Art. 19.1 of the Law on Mass Media stipulates that, unless otherwise provided by an international treaty of the Russian Federation, a foreign state, an international organisation, or an organisation under their control; a foreign legal entity; a Russian legal entity in which foreign participation in the authorised capital exceeds 20%; a foreign national; a stateless person; or a citizen of the Russian Federation who also holds the citizenship of another state, whether acting individually or jointly, shall not be entitled to exercise ownership, managerial influence, or control, whether directly or indirectly (including through controlled persons or by the collective holding of more than 20% of shares or participation interests), over more than 20% of the shares or participation interests in the authorised (share) capital of a legal entity that is a participant (member or shareholder) of the founder of a mass media outlet, the editorial office of a mass media outlet, or an organisation (legal entity) engaged in broadcasting.
For the purposes of the Law, Art. 2 defines a mass media outlet as a periodical printed publication, an online publication, a television channel, a radio channel, a television programme, a radio programme, a video programme, a newsreel programme, or any other form of periodic dissemination of mass information issued under a permanent title (name).
For the purposes of the Law, Art. 2 defines a mass media outlet as a periodical printed publication, an online publication, a television channel, a radio channel, a television programme, a radio programme, a video programme, a newsreel programme, or any other form of periodic dissemination of mass information issued under a permanent title (name).
Coverage Mass media outlets
RUSSIA
ITA signatory?
I
II
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Effective tariff rate on ICT goods (applied weighted average)
Effective tariff rate to ICT goods (applied weighted average)
1.94%
Coverage rate of zero-tariffs on ICT goods (%)
52.84%
Coverage: ICT goods
Sources
- http://wits.worldbank.org/WITS/
- https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/tariff_profiles20_e.pdf
- https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/brief_ita_e.htm#:~:text=ITA%20participants%3A%20Australia%3B%20Bahrain%3B,%3B%20Jordan%3B%20Korea%2C%20Rep.
- https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/ita20years_2017_full_e.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220120054410/https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2016/april/tradoc_154430.pdf
- https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/inftec_e/itscheds_e.htm
RUSSIA
N/A
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Participation in the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and 2015 expansion (ITA II)
Lack of participation in Information Technology Agreement Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
Russia is a signatory of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of 1996 but is not a signatory of its 2015 expansion (ITA II).
Coverage ICT goods
Sources
- https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/brief_ita_e.htm#:~:text=ITA%20participants%3A%20Australia%3B%20Bahrain%3B,%3B%20Jordan%3B%20Korea%2C%20Rep.
- https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/ita20years_2017_full_e.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220120054410/https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2016/april/tradoc_154430.pdf
- https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/inftec_e/itscheds_e.htm
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RUSSIA
Since October 2020, until June 2026
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Antidumping, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures on ICT goods
Reported anti-dumping measure
It is reported that the Eurasian Economic Union, which includes the Russian Federation, imposed definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of aluminium strip (HS code subheadings 7606.11.91.00, 7606.12.20.09 and 7606.12.92.09) originating in Azerbaijan and China on 24 October 2020. The duty rate applicable to imports from Azerbaijan was set at 16.18%, while the corresponding rate for imports from China was established at 13.14%. On 17 October 2025, the Eurasian Economic Union published a notice extending the application of these definitive duties until 29 June 2026. These products are used to manufacture components of ICT goods, such as heat sinks, printed circuit boards (PCBs), charging cables, HDMI cables, and displays.
Coverage Product: aluminium strip (HS code subheadings 7606.11.91.00, 7606.12.20.09 and 7606.12.92.09)
Countries: Azerbaijan, China
Countries: Azerbaijan, China
RUSSIA
Since April 2013
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Exclusion from public procurement
Federal Law No. 44-Z "On Public Procurement" (Федеральный закон N 44-ФЗ "О контрактной системе в сфере закупок")
According to Art. 14.3 of the Federal Law No. 44-FZ, the Government can establish a ban on the admission of goods, works and services originating from foreign states and impose restrictions on the admission of these goods, works, and services, including the minimum mandatory share of purchases of Russian goods in order to protect the foundations of the constitutional system, ensure the country's defence and state security, protect the internal market of the Russian Federation, develop the national economy, and support Russian producers.
Coverage Horizontal
RUSSIA
Since January 2016, as amended in August 2020, last amended in December 2023
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Exclusion from public procurement
Government Decree No. 968 "On restrictions and conditions for the admission of certain types of radio-electronic products originating from foreign countries for the purpose of making purchases to meet state and municipal needs" (Постановление Правительства РФ от 26 сентября 2016 г. N 968 "Об ограничениях и условиях допуска отдельных видов радиоэлектронной продукции, происходящих из иностранных государств, для целей осуществления закупок для обеспечения государственных и муниципальных нужд")
In January 2016, through Government Decree No. 968, Russia implemented a ban on procuring 113 types of foreign-made radio-electronic products and components for state and municipal needs, provided there are at least two bids for similar items manufactured in Russia or a member state of the Eurasian Economic Union. This list was significantly reduced in August 2020, when Government Resolution No. 878 limited the restrictions to 13 types of foreign-made radio-electronic products and components. The most recent amendments to this list were introduced in December 2023 through the Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 2094, "On Amendments to Certain Acts of the Government of the Russian Federation."
Coverage Radio-electronic equipment
RUSSIA
Since January 2020
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Exclusion from public procurement
Government Decree No. 1746, "On establishing a prohibition on the admission of certain types of goods originating from foreign countries, and amending certain acts of the government of the Russian Federation" (Постановление Правительства РФ от 21 декабря 2019 г. № 1746 “Об установлении запрета на допуск отдельных видов товаров, происходящих из иностранных государств, и внесении изменений в некоторые акты Правительства Российской Федерации")
Government Decree No. 1746 of December 2019, "On establishing a prohibition on the admission of certain types of goods originating from foreign countries, and amending certain acts of the government of the Russian Federation", puts in place a two-year prohibition on the procurement of almost all types of memory storage devices from foreign states for governmental and municipal needs, except for data storage systems included in the unified state register of Russian radio-electronic devices.
Coverage Data storage devices
RUSSIA
Since January 2016
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Exclusion from public procurement
Resolution No. 1236 "On Prohibition of Admission of Software originated in Foreign Countries for the Purposes of Procurement for State and Municipal Needs" (ПОСТАНОВЛЕНИЕ от 16 ноября 2015 г. № 1236 "Об установлении запрета на допуск программного обеспечения, происходящего из иностранных государств, для целей осуществления закупок для обеспечения государственных и муниципальных нужд")
Decree No. 1236 restricts the procurement of foreign software, mandating that only Russian software may be used for state and municipal orders. Exceptions to this rule are permitted only when Russian software is unavailable or fails to meet specific criteria, allowing organisations to procure software from foreign providers in such cases.
Coverage Software
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20211027171205/http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?docbody=&nd=102382688
- https://web.archive.org/web/20211025230839/https://www.globaltradealert.org/state-act/10400
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220223093745/http://www.oecd.org/daf/inv/investment-policy/12th-G20-Report.pdf
- Show more...
RUSSIA
Reported in 2022
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Preferences for SMEs in tenders
It is reported that, effective January 2022, procuring entities in Russia are mandated to allocate no less than 25% of their total annual procurement volume to small businesses and socially oriented non-commercial organisations. These preferential allocations are detailed in procurement notices and documentation, although this information is not accessible online. Despite this lack of transparency, the prioritisation of locally produced technologies, digital goods, and services has been a consistent focus of Russian policy. Since 2015, sector-specific regulations have reinforced this approach. These include the Resolution No. 1442 of 24 December 2015 "On procurement of innovative products, high-tech products certain types of legal entities and amending certain Acts of the Russian Federation" (Постановление Правительства РФ от 25 декабря 2015 г. N 1442 "О закупках инновационной продукции, высокотехнологичной продукции отдельными видами юридических лиц и внесении изменений в отдельные акты Правительства Российской Федерации"), which establishes procedures for determining the annual volume of purchases by State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) of innovative and high-tech products, including minimum purchasing requirements from SMEs. Furthermore, Resolution No. 717 of 2016 identified 135 SOEs subject to these minimum SME purchasing mandates.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230331005121/https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:/WT/TPR/S416R1.pdf&Open=True
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230402033248/https://base.garant.ru/71296076/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220523102040/https://docs.cntd.ru/document/563906262
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220623212035/https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:/G/TRIMSQ/RUS10.pdf&Open=True
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230704221024/https://ru-ikt.ru/
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RUSSIA
Since December 2015
Since June 2018
Since June 2018
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Decision No. 155 of the Ministry of Economic Development "On the conditions for admission of goods originating from foreign countries for the purposes of purchasing goods, works, services for provision of state and municipal needs" (Приказ Министерства экономического развития РФ от 25 марта 2014 г. № 155 “Об условиях допуска товаров, происходящих из иностранных государств, для целей осуществления закупок товаров, работ, услуг для обеспечения государственных и муниципальных нужд")
Decision No. 126 of the Ministry of Finance "On the conditions for the admission of goods originating from a foreign state or a group of foreign states for the purpose of purchasing goods to meet state and municipal needs (Приказ Минфина России от 4 июня 2018 г. № 126н "Об условиях допуска товаров")
Decision No. 126 of the Ministry of Finance "On the conditions for the admission of goods originating from a foreign state or a group of foreign states for the purpose of purchasing goods to meet state and municipal needs (Приказ Минфина России от 4 июня 2018 г. № 126н "Об условиях допуска товаров")
Ministry of Economic Development's Decision No. 155 grants preferences of 15% (30% in case of radio-electronic equipment) in relation to the contract price in public procurement auctions and tenders to participants who propose to supply goods originating from Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries. The Decision was later replaced by Decision No. 126 of the Ministry of Finance in June 2018, which contains a similar provision with regard to price preference to EAEU countries.
Coverage Horizontal
LIBYA
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Lack of signature of the UN Convention of Electronic Communications
Libya has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.
Coverage Horizontal
