Russian analysts report narrower choice of Dell, HP and Apple laptops

The range of Dell, HP and Apple laptops available in Russia has fallen by about 10%, according to Mobile Research Group analyst Eldar Murtazin. Market participants interviewed by Izvestia link the reduced choice to the cost of certifying smaller import shipments.

Sources interviewed by the newspaper said procedures for obtaining conformity documents for imported laptops, headphones and chargers changed in August. They said importers now have to arrange certification for each shipment, whereas previously they could use a document obtained by a manufacturer or large distributor for the same product.

Market participants said the additional cost weighs particularly heavily on smaller shipments. Many models from brands that have left Russia arrive in such quantities, making certification of less common configurations potentially uneconomical.

RATEK industry association representative Anton Guskov said manufacturers that had withdrawn from Russia were not handling certification for devices imported into the country. Laptops remain in paid customs storage while documents are arranged, he said, increasing costs and delivery times. New models consequently arrive in smaller numbers and at higher prices.

Murtazin estimated that certification changes had contributed to a 3–4% price increase. National Technology Initiative expert Ilya Ilyinsky cited ITResearch figures showing laptop sales in August were 35% lower than a year earlier. He also said certification of small batches of particular configurations was becoming uneconomical, with accessories potentially facing a similar problem.

Wildberries & Russ computer equipment category head Dmitry Nechaev cautioned against attributing prices solely to certification. Component costs, exchange rates, logistics and regulation also matter. VVP Group representative Andrey Petrenko estimated that DRAM and SSD prices had risen by more than 60% over the year.

Petrenko expects recertification to take two to three months, potentially limiting the choice of some models until the end of the year. He forecast a partial recovery in supply after distributors adjust.