The Russian federal government has expanded the list of beauty products imported from countries designated as hostile, which will now be subject to new customs duties of 35%. The updated list includes perfumes, hair products, lipsticks, makeup items, and skin care products.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the measure aims to protect and support Russia’s growing domestic production of cosmetics and perfumes. The decision was formally adopted by government decree.
However, some exceptions apply: products imported from Italy and France will face a reduced tariff of 20%, while those from Hungary, Slovakia, and South Korea will be fully exempt from the new duties.
Similar measures were introduced back in December 2022. According to the ministry, partly due to rising prices of imported goods, the domestic cosmetics and fragrance market grew by 22% in 2024. Currently, over 600 companies are active in this sector in Russia.
Andrey Samoylov, Executive Director of the “National Council for Perfumery, Cosmetics and Household Chemicals,” explained that reduced tariffs for certain countries and products are intended to give Russian producers time to substitute imports. He added that these import conditions could be revised again once reliable domestic alternatives become available.
Anna Dycheva-Smirnova, a board member of the Russian Perfumery and Cosmetics Association, emphasized that the changes will significantly impact the market, especially in the categories of skin care and lip cosmetics. She noted that “skin care” covers a broad range of consumer products.
The expert also highlighted the strategic exclusion of South Korean products from the tariffs. South Korea’s beauty industry is currently facing pressure from trade wars and tariffs initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump. In this context, easing trade with Russia may offer an opportunity for Korean companies.
Finally, the restructuring of tariffs opens competitive space for producers from so-called “friendly” countries, such as China and Turkey.
