Russia's zero import duty on petroleum products will be in effect until mid-2026, other measures adopted to saturate market

MOSCOW. Oct 16 (Interfax) - The Russian government has adopted a number of measures to saturate the domestic market with petroleum products, Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev said during a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and members of the government.

Tsivilev listed a number of measures, in particular the extension of the ban on gasoline exports by all market participants until the end of the year, and the introduction of a ban on diesel fuel exports for non-producers also until the end of the year.

"Economic conditions for importing motor gasoline have been created by reducing the import duty to zero until mid-2026, and a decision has been made to ensure damper payments for imported fuel. Work with partners to supply gasoline to the Russian market has been ensured," Tsivilev said.

"The potential of previously accumulated fuel reserves at refineries and oil depots has been utilized, and scheduled repairs at refineries have been postponed to later dates," he said.

"Conditions have been created for maintaining the damper payment [to oil companies]. Conditions have been created for increasing the supply of winter diesel fuel during the autumn-winter period of 2025-2026. Currently, the following additional measures are being implemented: adjusting the rules for exchange trading to prevent speculative price increases for fuel in the wholesale segment; coordinating logistics and accelerating fuel deliveries to all regions, as well as for the needs of agricultural producers," he said.

Simultaneously with the implemented measures, comprehensive work is underway to enhance the protection of fuel and energy sector facilities, he said.