Russian Antimonopoly service: iPad evades customs duty

28 Apr, 2012 11:22 / Updated 12 years ago

Two of Russia’s most powerful institutions are at loggerheads over the Apple iPad.

The Federal Customs Service says the tablet computer can be imported into the country without customs duty. But the Federal Antimonopoly Service is saying hold on a minute, what about the other tablet makers. Brands other than Apple face a 5% duty because of their in-built GPS module. The antimonopoly watchdog suspects the customs service of violating competition law and establishing preferential conditions for iPad computers.The antimonopoly watchdog also reported the customs service rejected a proposal to extend the zero customs duties for all tablet computer manufacturers.