Russian regulators are considering mandatory registration of IMEI numbers for smartphones brought into the country without proper customs clearance or purchased abroad. Under the proposed scheme, owners would have two weeks to complete registration through the Gosuslugi portal. Devices not registered in time would lose access to Russian mobile networks.
The initiative is being developed by the Ministry of Digital Development (MinTsifry). According to sources cited by RBC, the project is still under discussion, so exact deadlines and procedures may change. Citizens are not required to register their phones immediately.
IMEI serves as the unique identifier used to control which devices can connect to operator networks. Smartphones already active in Russia before April 2027 would receive an exemption and continue operating without restrictions. Officially imported devices would be added to the central registry automatically.
The primary impact is expected to fall on unofficial importers and gray-market sellers. Expert assessments suggest that up to 70 percent of such participants could exit the market, potentially leading to price increases of as much as 40 percent for certain models. Buyers would need to weigh any initial savings against the new registration requirements.
