EU measures following the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Frequently asked questions on customs related matters concerning sanctions adopted following Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine

From a customs perspective, several export restrictions will have an impact, namely:

Sell, supply, transfer or export:

• Expansion of the restrictive measures already in place since 2014 on the exports of dual-use goods and technology to all end-users, including non-military.
• military goods and technology which might contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement, or the development of the defence and security sector. Related technical or financial assistance and services are also prohibited.
• goods and technology suited for use in aviation or the space industry, as listed in Annex XI of Regulation (EU) 833/2014, to any person or entity in Russia or for use in Russia. It is also prohibited to provide any related insurance and reinsurance and certain related activities. Related technical or financial assistance and brokering or other services are also prohibited.
• luxury goods, as listed in Annex XVIII of Regulation (EU) 833/2014, to any person or entity in Russia or for use in Russia.
• maritime navigation goods and technology, as listed in Annex XVI of Regulation (EU) 833/2014, to any person or entity in Russia, for use in Russia or for the placing on board of a Russian-flagged vessel. Related technical or financial assistance and brokering or other services are also prohibited.
• goods and technology suited for use in oil refining, as listed in Annex X of regulation (EU) 833/2014, to any person or entity in Russia or for use in Russia. Related technical or financial assistance and brokering or other services are also prohibited.
• certain equipment listed in Annex II of Council Regulation 833/2014 shall be subject to prior authorisation by the competent authority of the exporting Member State.

Import, purchase or transfer:

• arms and related materials from Russia.
• iron and steel products, as listed in Annex XVII of Regulation (EU) 833/2014, from Russia. Related technical or financial assistance and brokering services are also prohibited.

List of measures were also addressed against Belarus, covering both exports and imports, namely:

Sell, supply, transfer or export:

• Expansion of the restrictive measures already in place on the exports of dual-use goods and technology to all end-users, including non-military.
• military goods and technology, which might contribute to Belarus's military and technological enhancement, or to the development of its defence and security sector, as listed in Annex Va of Regulation (EC) 765/2006, to Belarus. Related technical or financial assistance and brokering or other services are also prohibited.
• equipment which might be used for internal repression. Related technical or financial assistance and services are also prohibited. Derogations subject to specific conditions exist for (a) biathlon rifles, ammunition and sights, and (b) small-calibre sporting rifles, small-calibre sporting pistols and ammunition.
• machinery (ex: engines, furnaces, bulldozers, lift-trucks), as listed in Annex XIV of Regulation (EC) 765/2006, to any person or entity in Belarus or for use in Belarus. Related technical or financial assistance and brokering services are also prohibited.
• equipment, technology or software intended primarily for use in the monitoring or interception by the regime of Belarus of the internet and of telephone communications on mobile or fixed networks in Belarus as listed in Annex IV of Regulation (EC) 765/2006. It is also prohibited to provide telecommunication or internal monitoring or interception services and related financial and technical assistance.
• goods used for the production or manufacturing of tobacco products, as listed in Annex VI of Regulation (EC) 765/2006, in Belarus.

Import, purchase or transfer:

• cement products, as listed in Annex XI of Regulation (EC) 765/2006. Related technical or financial assistance and brokering services are also prohibited.
• iron and steel products, as listed in Annex XII of Regulation (EC) 765/2006. Related technical or financial assistance and brokering services are also prohibited.
• mineral products, as listed in Annex VII of Regulation (EC) 765/2006. Related technical or financial assistance and brokering services are also prohibited.
• potassium chloride (“potash”) products, as listed in Annex VIII of Regulation (EC) 765/2006.
• rubber products, as listed in Annex XIII of Regulation (EC) 765/2006. Related technical or financial assistance and brokering services are also prohibited.
• wood products, as listed in Annex X of Regulation (EC) 765/2006, from Belarus. Related technical or financial assistance and brokering services are also prohibited.

1. Extension/adjustment of the scope of existing measures affecting import and exports of goods from and to Russia
   • Extends the list of items which might contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement or the development of its defence and security sector, banned from export,
   • Extends the export ban ongoods and technology suited for use in oil refining to goods and technology for the liquefaction of natural gas,
   • Extends the export ban ongoods and technology suited for use in aviation or the space industry to jet fuel and fuel additives,
   • Extends the list of luxury goods, banned from export,
   • Reduces the derogations possibilitieson the export bans on dual-use items and items which might contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement; 
   • Introduces an import ban on goods generating revenue for Russia (fertilisers, cement, wood, glass products...). Derogations are possible until 10 July in case of prior contractual commitment,
   • Introduces an import ban on coal and other solid fossil fuels. Derogations are possible until 10 August in case of prior contractual commitment,
   • Introduces an exportban on goods, which could contribute to the enhancement of Russian industrial capacities (chemicals, wood, textiles, construction material, metals, machinery...). Derogations are possible for diplomatic reasons, or until 10 July in case of prior contractual commitment. Export can be authorised for humanitarian reason.
   • Extends the prohibition to sell, supply, transfer or export to Russia Euro banknotes to banknotes denominated in all Member States official currencies,
   • Introduces  a derogation from the prohibition to transfer or export luxury goods to Russia. For cultural goods which are on loan in the context of formal cultural cooperation with Russia, competent authorities may authorise their transfer or export to Russia. Commission must be informed of this authorisation within two weeks. 
2. New measures not included in previous sanctions packages 
   • a prohibition to provide access, after 16 April 2022, to EU ports to vessels registered under the flag of Russia. Certain limited derogations are granted for specific goods (e.g. agricultural and food products, humanitarian aid, and energy) or specific use of the vessel;
   • a ban on any Russian and Belarusian road transport undertaking preventing them from transporting goods by road within the EU, including in transit. Certain limited derogations are granted for: undertakings transporting mail as a universal service; goods in transit though the Union between the Kaliningrad Oblast and Russia, provided that the transport of such goods is not otherwise prohibited under this Regulation; until 16 April 2022 for transport of goods that started before 9 April 2022. In addition, competent authorities of a Member State may authorise derogations for the transport of certain goods (e.g. goods natural gas and oil, including refined petroleum products, titanium, aluminium, copper, nickel, palladium and iron, etc.)       

The new package comprises both updates/extension of the scope coverage of existing measures as well as completely new restrictive measures. Key points of relevance for customs:

• imposes further restrictive measures prohibiting the sale to Belarus of transferable securities denominated in any official currency of a Member State, and prohibiting the sale, supply, transfer or export to Belarus of banknotes denominated in any official currency of a Member State;
• further restrictive measures prohibiting road transport undertakings established in Belarus from transporting goods by road within the territory of the European Union.

Similar derogations are envisaged for Belarus as for Russia.

Oil import restrictions

• The customs authorities of the European Union’s Member States have been advised to take all necessary measures and to exercise particular diligence in order to mitigate the risk of circumvention of the Russian import sanctions on crude oil through the blending with oil originating in third countries. In particular, they will request documentary or other appropriate evidence that the oil shipments do not contain oil of Russian origin.
• In 2021, the EU imported €48 billion worth of crude oil and €23 billion of refined oil products from Russia. Based on a joint proposal from the High Representative (of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) and the Commission, Member States have today decided to impose an embargo on the imports of these products. These sanctions will come into force with immediate effect, and will phase out Russian oil imports in an orderly fashion. For seaborne crude oil, spot market transactions and execution of existing contracts will be permitted for six months after entry into force, while for petroleum products, these will be permitted for eight months after entry into force. Member States who have a particular pipeline dependency on Russia can benefit from a temporary exemption and continue to receive crude oil delivered by pipeline, until the Council decides otherwise. However, Member States benefiting from this exemption will not be able to resell such crude oil and petroleum products to other Member States or third countries.
• Due to its specific geographical exposure, a special temporary derogation until the end of 2024 has been agreed for Bulgaria which will be able to continue to import crude oil and petroleum products via maritime transport. In addition, Croatia will be able to authorise until the end of 2023 the import of Russian vacuum gas oil which is needed for the functioning of its refinery.
• On 3 August, a notice to operators was published which clarified that imports of Russian crude oil or petroleum products into the Union transported together with oil of other origin in mixed form is subject to the prohibition, unless the exact share of the product which does not originate in Russia can be clearly demonstrated to the national authorities of the Member State. In such a case, the exact portion of oil not originating in Russia can be allowed into the Union.

Oil transport services

• After a wind down period of 6 months, EU operators will be prohibited from insuring and financing the transport, in particular through maritime routes, of oil to third countries.

Export restrictions

• The Sixth Package includes further export restrictions. The list of advanced technology items banned from export to Russia has been expanded to include additional chemicals that could be used in the process of manufacture of chemical weapons, already controlled since 2013 for other destinations such as Syria. Moreover, today's package further expands the list of natural, legal persons or entities associated with Russia's military-industrial complex. These natural, legal persons or entities are involved in various sectors, such as electronics, communications, weapons, shipyards, engineering and scientific research. This update brings the EU in alignment with United States measures, while other partners are expected to align in the near future.
• The package adds the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea to the Annex of partner countries that have adopted substantially equivalent export restrictions.
• The list of Belarusian entities subject to restrictions has been significantly widened (from 1 entity to 25). This is related to authorisations for the sale, supply, transfer or export of dual-use goods and technology, as well as goods and technology which might contribute to Belarus's military and technological enhancement, or to the development of its defence and security sector.

Import, purchase or transfer

The package introduces a new prohibition to purchase, import, or transfer, (directly or indirectly):

• gold, if it originates in Russia and it has been exported from Russia into the EU or to any third country after.
• jewellery, if it originates in Russia and it has been exported from Russia into the EU or to any third country after. Exception for personal use).

The ban is subject to certain transition periods.

Export, list of controlled items

The list consists of items which may contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement or the development of its defence and security sector.

Expansion of list of advanced technology items (50 additional items), including:

• including special materials and related equipment (i.a., special fibres, used in aircraft, or the equipment used to produce them),
• manufacturing equipment (i.a., machine tools that can be used to produce industrial components or weapons),
• other items, such as those used for law enforcement, such as helmets and batons, or chemicals used in riot control,
• limited number of vaccines refers only to vaccines against pathogens included in the dual-use list (under 1C351, included in Regulation (EU) 833/2014, Annex VII – e.g. variola virus, yellow fever, MERS-corona, etc.

Additional listings

Additional individuals and entities have been sanctioned (54 people and 9 entities).

Other relevant new provisions:

• the Council decided to strengthen reporting requirements, putting the burden of declaring assets onto sanctioned people, in order to facilitate the freezing of their assets in the EU.
• Extension of prohibition to access to locks by ships. The extension of the port access ban to locks aims to stop possible circumvention of the sanctions through canals.
• Extended exemptions. New exemptions from the prohibition to engage in transactions with certain state-owned entities as regards transactions for agricultural products and the transport of oil to third countries.

Import restrictions

Additional import restrictions have been agreed. It includes:

• a ban on the import of Russian finished and semi-finished steel products (subject to a transition period for some semi-finished),
• machinery and appliances,
• plastics,
• vehicles,
• textiles,
• footwear,
• leather,
• ceramics,
• certain chemical products,
• non-gold jewellery.

Export restrictions

Additional export restrictions have been introduced. This includes:

• the banning of the export of coal including coking coal (which is used in Russian industrial plants),
• specific electronic components (found in Russian weapons),
• technical items used in the aviation sector,
• certain chemicals.
• a prohibition on exporting small arms and other goods under the anti-torture Regulation has been added.

Additional listings

Additional individuals and entities have been sanctioned. It also includes individuals and entities working in the defence sector, such as high-ranking and military officials, as well as companies supporting the Russian armed forces.

The package bans all transactions with the Russian Maritime Register, adding it to the list of state-owned enterprises which are subject to a transaction ban.  

Extension of restrictions to the oblasts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia

The geographical scope of the restrictive measures in response to the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine and the ordering of Russian armed forces into those areas has been extended to cover all the non-government controlled areas of Ukraine in the oblasts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

Implementing the G7 oil price cap

The package marks the beginning of the implementation within the EU of the G7 agreement on Russian oil exports. While the EU's ban on importing Russian seaborne crude oil fully remains, the price cap, once implemented, would allow European operators to undertake and support the transport of Russian oil to third countries, provided its price remains under a pre-set “cap”.

It would take effect after 5 December 2022 for crude and 5 February 2023 for refined petroleum products, after a further decision by the Council.

Deterring sanctions circumvention

The EU has introduced a new listing criterion, which will allow it to sanction persons who facilitate the infringements of the prohibition against circumvention of sanctions.

Export restrictions

New export restrictions have been introduced on sensitive dual-use goods and advanced technologies that contribute to Russia's military capabilities and technological enhancement. This includes, among others:

• drone engines,
• camouflage gear,
• chemical and biological equipment,
• riot control agents,
• electronic components (e.g., found in Russian military systems on the battlefield),
• generators and generator devices,
• toy drones and hobby drones,
• laptops,
• hard drives,
• IT components,
• printed circuits,
• night-vision,
• radio-navigation equipment and systems,
• radio remote control apparatus,
• cameras and lenses,
• goods and technology suited for use in aviation and the space industry e.g. aircraft engines and parts of engines, with a derogation to allow assistance related to aviation or the space security. 

Specific export ban to a third country

The direct exports of drone engines to Russia and the export to any third countries, such as Iran, where there is a suspicion that they will be used in Russia is now restricted.

Specific derogation from the import and export restrictions

The ninth package introduces a temporary and limited derogation from the import and export prohibitions, in order to facilitate an expeditious exit from the Russian market. This may assist EU companies withdrawing their activities and goods from Russia. 

Additional listings

The EU has added 168 individuals and entities to the list of persons subject to a freezing of their assets. This includes the Russian armed forces, as well as individual officers and defence industrial companies, members of the State Duma and Federation Council, ministers, Russian proxy authorities in occupied areas of Ukraine and political parties, among others. 

The package extends the list of state-owned enterprises which are subject to a transaction ban.

This brings the total number of entities sanctioned to 410.

Export restrictions

New export restrictions have been introduced on sensitive dual-use and advanced technologies. This includes:

• additional electronic components used in Russian weapons systems (drones, missiles, helicopters, other vehicles),
• specific rare earths and thermal cameras with military applications,
• goods that can be easily redirected to be used to support the Russian war effort including:
  • Vehicles: heavy trucks not yet banned (and their spare parts), semi-trailers, and special vehicles such as snowmobiles;
  • Goods easily directed to the Russian military: including electric generators, binoculars, radars, compass, etc.;
  • Construction goods such as bridges, structures for buildings tower-like, fork-lifts trucks, cranes, etc.;
  • Goods that are critical for the functioning and enhancement of Russian industrial capacity (electronics, machine parts, pumps, machinery for working metals, etc.);
  • Complete industrial plants: this category has been added to avoid loopholes;
  • Goods used in the aviation industry (turbojets).

Imports restrictions

• Bitumen and related materials like asphalt,
• Synthetic rubber and carbon blacks.

Enforcement and anti-circumvention measures

• Private flights between the EU and Russia, directly or via third countries, should be notified in advance.
• Prohibition to transit dual use goods and firearms via the territory of Russia to third countries.

Important legislative amendment

• Definition of the term “import” to avoid goods being “stranded” in long customs procedures.

Additional listings

• The EU has added about 120 individuals and entities to the sanction list and in addition 96 entities associated to Russia's military-industrial complex
• Measures are also taken against individuals in Iran.
• members and supporters of Russia's Wagner mercenary group and its activities in other countries, such as Mali or Central African Republic.
• A third country shipping company, suspected of helping Russia circumvent sanctions on oil exports.

Other

• Prohibition on Russian nationals and entities to book gas storage capacity in the Union (LNG excluded).
• Measures to facilitate the divestment from Russia by EU operators.

Export restrictions

• The new anti-circumvention tool will allow the EU to restrict the sale, supply, transfer or export of specified sanctioned goods and technology to certain third countries whose jurisdictions are considered to be at continued and particularly high risk of circumvention.

This new “anti-circumvention” tool will be an exceptional and last resort measure when other individual measures and outreach by the EU to concerned third countries have been insufficient to prevent circumvention.

• Extension of the ban on export of luxury cars to all new and second-hand cars above a certain engine size (> 1900 cm3), and all electric and hybrid vehicles.
• A full ban on certain types of machinery components.
• Insertions of strict and very targeted derogations to the existing export bans to enable the maintenance of the CPC (Caspian Pipeline Consortium) pipeline which transports Kazakh oil to the EU through Russia.
• Extension of the exception to the oil price cap for Sakhalin oil for Japan (until 31 March 2024).

Imports restrictions

• Tightening restrictions on imports of iron and steel goods by requiring importers of sanctioned iron and steel goods that have been processed in a third country to prove that the inputs used do not come from Russia.
• End of the possibility to import Russian oil by pipeline for Germany and Poland.

Enforcement and anti-circumvention measures

• Extension of the transit prohibition for certain sensitive goods (e.g. advanced technology, aviation-related materials) exported from the EU to third countries, via Russia.
• Restriction on the exports of further 15 technological items found on the battlefield in Ukraine or equipment needed to produce such items.

Transport measures

• A full ban on trucks with Russian trailers and semi-trailers from transporting goods to the EU. This will clamp down on the circumvention of the prohibition for Russian freight road operator to carry goods in the EU.
• Prohibition to access EU ports for vessels that engage in ship-to-ship transfers suspected to be in breach of the Russian oil import ban or G7 Coalition price cap.
• Prohibition to access EU ports for vessels if a vessel does not notify the competent authority at least 48 hours in advance about a ship-to-ship transfer occurring within the Exclusive Economic Zone of a Member State or within 12 nautical miles from the baseline of that Member State’s coast.

Important legislative amendment

• Insertion of certain clarifications in the provision on information sharing between competent authorities and regarding the respect of the confidentiality of the communications between lawyers and their clients in the context of reporting obligations.
• Additional provisions on information exchange and reporting.
• Simplifying the structure of the industrial goods annex, by listing products subject to restrictions in one single section and with broader product definitions, to better identify goods subject to export bans and reduce circumvention of sanctions by misclassification

Additional listings

• Revision of the listing criterion for individuals/entities engaged in circumventing EU sanctions, including those significantly frustrating EU sanctions.
• Addition of a new listing criterion to allow the designation of persons and entities operating in the Russian IT sector with a license from Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) or the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade.
• Over 100 additional individuals and entities subject to asset freezes.
• Addition of 87 new entities to the list of those directly supporting Russia’s military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine.
• In addition to the Russian and Iranian entities already listed, this now also covers entities registered in China, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Syria and Armenia.

Other

• Prohibition to sell, license, transfer or refer intellectual property rights and trade secrets used in connection with restricted goods to prevent the sanctioned goods from simply being manufactured outside the  EU.

IMPORTANT:

In parallel to the 11^th package, two lists of goods which are subject to the EU restrictive measures and need a special attention have been published:

List of economically critical goods

List of high priority battlefield items

Trade measures and additional listings:

• Import ban on Russian diamonds
• Import ban on raw materials for steel production, processed aluminium products and other metal goods
• Extending the list of dual-use goods and advanced technologies subject to export restrictions (Annex VII of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014) to include now chemicals, lithium batteries, DC motors and servomotors for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), etc.
• Extending the list of industrial goods that could contribute in particular to the enhancement of Russian industrial capacities as listed in Annex XXIII and thus subject to export restrictions,
• Addition of 29 Russian and third country entities to the list of entities associated to Russia's military-industrial complex (including entities registered in Uzbekistan and Singapore)
• Prohibition to provide enterprise and design-related software to the Russian government or Russian companies. The aim is to further hamper Russia's capacities in its industrial sector.
• New import ban on liquified petroleum gas (LPG)
• Additional listings: over 140 additional individuals and entities subject to asset freezes (actors in the Russian military and defence, actors from the IT sector, as well as other important economic actors etc).

Stronger anti-circumvention measures

• For goods exported to third countries broadening of the scope of the transit prohibition through Russia also to certain goods from Art. 3k (mainly goods which are in the list of economicallycritical goods
• Obligation for operators to contractually prohibit the re-export of certain categories of sensitive goods to Russia, including goods related to aviation, jet fuel, firearms and goods on the common high priority list (Art. 12g).

Additional listings of 194 individual designations, including 106 individuals and 88 entities. EU exceeds the threshold of 2000 listing. In particular:

• Targeting Russia's military and defence sector: the new listings include more than 140 companies and individuals from the Russian military-industrial complex, which among other things manufacture missiles, drones, anti-aircraft missile system, military vehicles, high-tech components for weapons, and other military equipment
• Sending a strong signal against Russia's war effort partners: the new listings target 10 Russian companies and individuals involved in the shipping of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) armaments to Russia
• Fighting circumvention: the new listings include a Russian logistics company and its director involved in parallel imports of prohibited goods to Russia, and a third Russian actor involved in another procurement scheme

Trade Measures

This package adds 27 Russian and third country companies to the list of entities associated to Russia's military-industrial complex (Annex IV of Regulation 833/2014). The EU imposes export restrictions towards these companies regarding dual-use goods and technology, as well as goods and technology which might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia's defence and security sector. The package adds:

• 17 Russian companies which are involved in the development, production and supply of electronic components, particularly used in connection with drone production
• Four companies registered in China and one each registered in Kazakhstan, India, Serbia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Türkiye, also trading in the area of electronic components, including of EU-origin

In addition, the package expands the list of advanced technology items that may contribute to Russia's military and technological enhancement or to the development of its defence and security sector. It adds components used for the development and production of drones, such as electric transformers, static converters and inductors found inter alia in drones, as well as aluminium capacitors, which have military applications, such as in missiles and drones and in communication systems for aircrafts and vessels. This will further weaken Russia's military capabilities.

Measures to foster international cooperation:

• The new package adds the United Kingdom to the list of partner countries for the iron and steel imports

Energy-related measures

• Prohibition on providing goods, technology or services to LNG projects under construction in Russia 
• Prohibition on the transshipment of Russian LNG through EU ports: 
• Prohibition on the import of Russian LNG into specific terminals which are not connected to the EU gas pipeline network 
• Listings of vessels supporting the Russian warfare

Anti-circumvention measures 

• Best efforts obligation concerning foreign subsidiaries: EU companies will have to undertake their best efforts to ensure that their subsidiaries in third countries do not take part in any activities undermining EU sanctions 
• “No Russia” clause for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) transfers, to ensure that industrial know-how transferred outside the Union is not used to manufacture Common High Priority (CHP) goods intended for Russia  
• Due diligence requirements for CHP goods 

Additional listings  

• A total of 116 additional listings of 69 individuals and 47 entities subject to asset freezes, and – in the case of individuals – also to travel bans 

Trade-related measures

Exports

• Extension of the export restrictions on dual use/advanced technology items (e.g., “quadbikes”, microwave and aerial amplifiers and digital flight data recorders)
• Reinforcement of the current export bans on industrial goods focusing on four sectors which are key to Russia’s war economy: chemicals, plastics, vehicles parts and machinery, worth EUR 5 billion of annual exports prior to the invasion (2021) 

 Imports

• Import ban on helium
• Finetuning of the import ban on Russian diamonds 
• Addition of 61 Russian and third-country entities to the list of entities associated to Russia's military-industrial complex (including 33 entities registered in third countries: 19 in China/Hong Kong, 9 in Türkiye, 2 in Kyrgyzstan, 1 in India, 1 in Kazakhstan, 1 in UAE). 
• Extension of the Common High Priority (CHP) list 

Transport measures

• Aviation: prohibition on non-scheduled flights if a Russian person decides the origin or destination (regardless of ownership and control over the aircraft); introduction of uniform obligation to provide information about non-scheduled flights upon request of national authorities regarding aircraft ownership, passengers etc., also to avoid circumvention of the flight ban 
• Road: tightening the existing prohibition to transport goods by road in the EU 
• Maritime: prohibition on port access and services for listed vessels. In the 14th package, 27 vessels are placed on this list, for their contribution to the Russian warfare in various sectors such as the transport of military equipment for Russia and the transport of stolen Ukrainian grain, participation in the dark fleet transporting Russian oil while conducting deceptive shipping practices, and support in the development of Russia’s energy sector, for instance through the transport of LNG infrastructure components or LNG transshipments

Additional measures

• Import ban on stolen Ukrainian cultural items: for cultural heritage products stolen from Ukraine

To prevent the circumvention of these measures, the Commission has published notices informing importers and exporters that they should take due diligence measures to avoid that the goods they export and which are subject to sanctions end up in Russia or Belarus, or that the goods they import from other countries, e.g. members of the Eurasian Economic Union, are not actually originating in Russia or Belarus and thus subject to sanctions. These measures include, for instance, the introduction in import and export contracts of provisions destined to ensure that any imported or exported goods are not covered by the restrictions.

Links to Notices:

• Notice 1 (2022/C 87 I/01)
• Notice 2 (2022/C 93 I/01)
• Notice 3 (2022/C 145 I/01)
• Notice (2022/C 458/02)

Imports of goods originating in the Donetsk and Lugansk oblasts

First, the Commission prepared a list of measures in reply to the Russian attempt to illegally annex the two Ukrainian regions Luhansk and Donetsk, which included a ban on imports from these two occupied territories as well as some export restrictions (on dual use goods) to the same territories. A notice to importers was published and updated recently Notice (2022/C 458/02) warning importers about the risk of circumvention of the import ban via Russia and Belarus and indicating that customs may request conclusive evidence from importers that imports from Russia and Belarus, in particular of coal and steel, are not from the regions for which the ban applies.

The regulations ban the direct or indirect import or export of the concerned goods, and prohibit the participation, knowingly and intentionally, in activities to circumvent these prohibitions. Any infringement of the regulations is subject to sanctions to be applied by Member States. Therefore, importers and exporters must also take adequate due diligence measures in order to limit a risk of circumvention of sanctioned goods from to/from the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus.

Transit of Goods

On 13 July 2022, the Commission published further guidance to Member States on the transit of goods from Russia. The guidance specifies the applicable rules and recalls that Member States are obliged to prevent all possible forms of circumvention of EU restrictive measures. In that light, the Commission underlines the importance of monitoring the two-way trade flows between Russia and Kaliningrad Oblast to ensure that sanctions are not circumvented.

• Council Regulation concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine 05.02.2023. consolidated basic legal act - (EU) No 833/2014
• Council Decision concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine 07.10.2022 consolidated basic legal act - 2014/512/CFSP

• Council Regulation concerning restrictive measures in respect of Belarus 20.07.2022 consolidated basic legal act - (EC) No 765/2006
• Council Decision concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus 20.07.2022 consolidated basic legal act - 2012/642/CFSP

• Council Regulation concerning restrictive measures in response to the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine and the ordering of Russian armed forces into those areas 14.04.2022 consolidated basic legal act - (EU) 2022/263
• Council Decision concerning restrictive measures in response to the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine and the ordering of Russian armed forces into those areas 07.10.2022 consolidated basic legal act - (CFSP) 2022/266
• Council Regulation concerning restrictive measures in response to the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine and the ordering of Russian armed forces into those areas 06.10.2022 - amendments not yet included in the consolidated basic legal act - (EU) 2022/1903