EU Sanctions Against Russia: Updated Import & Export Restrictions
- Arne Mielken
- Oct 14, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 19, 2023
Understand what can and cannot be exported to Russia from the EU and what cannot be imported to the EU from Russia. Date of last update 19.12.2023
As part of the economic sanctions, the EU has imposed several import and export restrictions on Russia. This means that European entities cannot sell certain products to Russia (export restrictions) and that Russian entities are not allowed to sell certain products to the EU (import restrictions). The list of sanctioned products includes:
What goods cannot be exported to Russia from the EU?
dual-use and advanced technological and industrial goods, including chemicals, thermostats, DC motors and servomotors for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), machine tools and machinery parts.
certain EU industrial goods including machinery and parts, construction-related goods, processed steel, copper and aluminium goods, lasers, and batteries.
cutting-edge technology (e.g. quantum computers and advanced semiconductors, electronic components and software)
certain types of machinery and transportation equipment
specific goods and technology needed for oil refining
energy industry equipment, technology and services
aviation and space industry goods and technology (e.g. aircraft, aircraft engines, spare parts or any kind of equipment for planes and helicopters, jet fuel)
maritime navigation goods and radio communication technology
a number of dual-use goods (goods that could be used for both civil and military purposes), such as drones and software for drones or encryption devices
luxury goods (e.g. luxury cars, watches, jewellery)
civilian firearms, their parts and other army materials
chemicals, lithium batteries and thermostats
other goods which could enhance Russian industrial capacities
What goods cannot be imported from Russia to the EU?
The list of sanctioned products includes:
raw materials for steel production, processed aluminium products and other metal goods
crude oil (from December 2022) and refined petroleum products (from February 2023), with limited exceptions
coal and other solid fossil fuels
steel, steel products and iron
gold and diamonds including jewellery
cement, asphalt, wood, paper, synthetic rubber and plastics
seafood and liquor (e.g. caviar, vodka)
cigarettes and cosmetics
Focus on the Diamond ban against Russia (December 2023)
Regarding diamonds, the prohibition applies to:
diamonds originating in Russia
diamonds exported from Russia
diamonds transiting Russia
Russian diamonds processed in third countries
The import restrictions on non-industrial diamonds, mined, processed, or produced, in Russia were added in December 2023. These proposed sanctions are part of an internationally coordinated G7 diamond ban, aiming to deprive Russia of this important revenue stream estimated at €4 billion per year.
All G7 members will implement a direct ban on diamonds exported from Russia at the latest by 1 January 2024.
As of 1 March 2024, a ban on Russian diamonds polished in a third country will take effect and, as of 1 September 2024, the ban will be expanded to include lab-grown diamonds, jewellery, and watches containing diamonds. To further the effectiveness of these measures, a robust traceability-based verification and certification mechanism for rough diamonds will be established within the G7.
Where do I find the exact list of products?
The sanctions regime laying down these economic sanctions consists of Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP and Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine:
The economic sanctions regime includes the following measures...
prohibition on trade in arms (not covered on this website) prohibition on public financing or financial assistance for trade with, or investment in Russia prohibition on investment and contribution to projects co-financed by the Russian Direct Investment Fund prohibition on exports of dual-use goods as well as advanced technology items that can contribute to Russia’s defence and security capabilities prohibition on exports of quantum computing, advanced semiconductors, sensitive machinery, transportation and chemicals prohibition on the broadcast in the EU of certain Russian state-owned media outlets prohibition on exports of goods for use in the oil industry prohibition on new investments in the energy sector prohibition on certain operations in the aviation sector prohibition on Russian freight operators prohibition to access EU ports and locks prohibition on exports of maritime navigation goods prohibition on exports of luxury goods prohibition on imports of coal prohibition on imports of iron and steel prohibition on imports of cement, rubber products, wood, spirits, liquor, high-end seafood prohibition on imports of seaborne crude oil and on providing oil transport services prohibition on imports of gold prohibition on exports of goods contributing to the enhancement of Russian industrial capacities prohibition on the financing of the Russian government and Central Bank as well as banning all those transactions related to the management of the Central Bank’s reserves and assets prohibitions on a range of financial interactions, financial rating services and transactions with Russia, as well as prohibitions on the provision of banknotes and sale of securities decoupling of certain Russian banks from the SWIFT messaging system prohibition on providing high-value crypto services and trust services full exclusion of Russia from public contracts and European money prohibition on providing trusts prohibition on accepting deposits
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