Trade in EU Goods with Russia: What do company owners need to know?
As part of the economic sanctions, the EU has imposed a number of import and export restrictions for trade in goods on Russia. Explore what you can and cannot do
The restrictions mean 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 banned products is designed to maximise the negative impact of the sanctions for the Russian economy while limiting the consequences for EU businesses and citizens. The export and import restrictions exclude products primarily intended for consumption and products related to health, pharma, food and agriculture, in order not to harm the Russian population.
The bans are implemented by the EU’s customs authorities.
Moreover, the EU, in collaboration with other like-minded partners, has adopted a statement reserving the right to stop treating Russia as a most-favoured-nation within the WTO framework. The EU has decided to act on this not through an increase in import tariffs, but through a set of restrictive measures that include bans on the import or export of certain goods. The EU and its partners have also suspended any work related to the accession of Belarus to the WTO.
What goods cannot be exported to Russia from the EU?
It is prohibited to sell, supply, transfer or export, directly or indirectly, the following sanctioned goods and technology to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Russia, for use in Russia, or for the placing on board of a Russian-flagged vessel:
cutting-edge technology (e.g. quantum computers and advanced semiconductors, high-end electronics 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, 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)
What goods cannot be imported from Russia to the EU?
The list of sanctioned products includes among others:
coal and other solid fossil fuels (as there is a wind-down period for existing contracts, this sanction will apply as from August 2022)
steel and iron
wood, cement and certain fertilisers
seafood and liquor (e.g. caviar, vodka)