Taiwanese manufacturer Acer supplies computer equipment to Russia

This is evidenced by customs data reviewed by Reuters.

The publication notes that although Acer's actions are not illegal, they differ from those of its main Western competitors, such as Dell and HP, which stopped deliveries in February and April last year after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Commercial trade data show that Acer equipment was shipped to Russia both through Acer's Swiss-registered subsidiary and through a number of delivery services commissioned by that subsidiary.

Because the sales were made outside of Taiwan, the transactions did not violate Taipei's sanctions against Russia, nor did they involve goods whose exports are restricted by Swiss anti-Russian sanctions, which mirror those of the European Union.

At the same time, on April 8 last year, the company said: “Due to recent events, Acer has decided to suspend its business in Russia.”

Answering the question about continuing exports to Russia through the Swiss subsidiary Acer Sales International SA, the company's head office in Taiwan noted that Acer strictly adheres to the established international regulations and trade requirements for exports to Russia.

The Swiss subsidiary has not supplied any laptops or desktops to Russia since April 8 last year, but it has supplied a limited number of displays and accessories to the Russian market for domestic civilian use in compliance with international sanctions.

It is noted that Acer did not say why it continues to deliver its goods to Russia, despite statements about the suspension of business there.

A Reuters source familiar with the details of the shipments said on condition of anonymity that Acer products, including PC monitors and laptops, continued to be shipped to Russia after April 2022.

At the same time, the agency noted that they were unable to establish the origin of some Acer products that can still be found on sale in Russia and when they arrived in the country.

Swiss sanctions, which are in line with the EU, allowed the export of portable computers and computer components to Russia until December 16, 2022. After that date, Acer did not ship any prohibited goods to Russia from Switzerland.

The company told Reuters that importers in Russia may have been purchasing Acer products from third countries, and Acer's Russian unit responded that nothing has changed since the April 2022 statement.

In addition, according to consulting company IDC Russia, Acer accounted for 18.5% of all PCs sold in Russia in the fourth quarter of 2021, while HP and Dell accounted for 20.8%.

• On April 20, Bloomberg wrote that some of Ukraine's key allies, including the United States, are considering a near-total ban on exports to Russia.

• In response, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that if the G7 countries completely ban exports to Russia, Moscow will take countermeasures.

• On May 9, it was reported that the Dutch technology company Philips continues to supply hospital equipment to Russia despite the war with Ukraine.