Articles

According to customs data, since the introduction of sanctions, Latvian customs performed 184,972 cargo document controls and 6,027 cargo physical controls. In 8,396 cases, customs prevented … the movement of goods subject to sanctions. In 2022, 114 criminal proceedings have been initiated for the circumvention of sanctions, and in 2023, – 87 criminal proceedings. Considering the above, economic operators who move goods from or to Russia and Belarus or countries that could be used to circumvent sanctions should consider the consequences mentioned in this article.

Where do we draw the line between non-tariff measures that help governments achieve important goals (e.g. sustainability) and non-tariff barriers that unnecessarily restrict trade? How can SMEs … ensure compliance in an increasingly complex regulatory environment (international sanctions, export controls, SPS, CBAM, REACH, forced labour, etc.)? As a distributor, how do you control the supply chain with multiple points of sale and resale, especially in relation to export control? These and other related questions were addressed at the 18th Authors' Meeting in an exchange of views between experts from different countries - the EU, the UK, the US, Brazil and Pakistan.

This article discusses the challenges faced by the Bulgarian automotive industry in the context of EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus. A national customs risk profile has been introduced, … triggered by the export of certain automotive parts of HS Chapters 84 and 85 to Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan and others. The documents and information required from the consignee of the goods in the third country and the end user of the goods (if different) in order for these goods to be exported are problematic, as it is often very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain this data.

According to UNCTAD, 90 % of global trade is subject to non-tariff measures (NTMs). NTMs can increase trade costs three times as much as tariffs. NTMs often lack transparency. This increases … uncertainty and unpredictability in global trade. At the same time, NTMs can be beneficial for international trade, as they guarantee quality through certification, provide information about products through labelling, reflect a commitment to socially important issues through labelling and environmental standards, etc. This article briefly describes what non-tariff measures are, what purpose they fulfil and what impact they have.

In the manufacturing industry, there are often complex supply chains where chemical substances cross borders between the UK and the EU several times. In this article we provide an overview of … how REACH works in the EU (including the current revision) and in the UK, the implications for businesses and also address the Windsor Framework for Northern Ireland. Most companies use chemicals, sometimes even without realising it, therefore you need to check your obligations if you handle any chemicals in your industrial or professional activity. You might have some responsibilities under EU REACH or UK REACH or both.

Recently, the European Commission (EC) terminated the examination procedure concerning obstacles to trade applied by Mexico (see Commission implementing decision (EU) 2022/161, 3.2.2022). This … was because the dispute regarding Tequila export licenses was resolved in favour of EU exports by domestic courts in Mexico. The example reveals that exporters can cope with trade barriers in several ways: in courts, and through complaints to the EC.

As you know, the European Union has adopted several packages of restrictive measures against the Russian Federation in the wake of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and restrictive … measures against the Republic of Belarus in the light of the situation in Belarus. All these measures must be effectively implemented by the competent authorities and the EU economic operators. Let us discuss one of the measures - directly and indirectly sanctioned persons and how to identify them so that they do not appear among customers or suppliers.

Due to the war in Ukraine, the Kaliningrad Oblast is getting increased attention. We receive questions about the ‘Kaliningrad transit‘: whether there are any simplifications for the transportation … of goods from Russia to Kaliningrad and vice versa or exemptions from sanctions? The exemptions have been introduced in the fifth EU sanctions package against Russia. But let’s start with an overview of some historical events.

Due to the non-transparent import licensing requirements in many countries, such as Turkey, India, Malaysia, Brazil, and Argentina, to mention a few, exporters are denied trade opportunities, … which these days are especially important for those who lost their export markets after Russia invaded Ukraine. The article introduces basic information on automatic and non-automatic licensing and provides practical examples of some non-transparent licensing regimes worldwide that must be considered when choosing new export markets.

Sanctions are applied to restrict the movement of money, goods, and services to/from the sanctioned country; travel bans may apply to certain persons. Current developments and the new regulatory … framework are increasingly affecting businesses in the international trade and logistics sectors. Let's take a look at what is significant for businesses to pay attention to.

On 9 September 2021, the revised EU rules on exports of dual-use items set out in Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (“Recast Regulation”) came into force. While the Recast Regulation does not fundamentally … change the EU rules underpinning dual-use exports, it brings new elements in the EU regime, aiming to make it apt to respond to modern challenges. This short article provides an overview of the most important changes and their impact on exporters.

We often do not even think that the wood packaging material (WPM) used in trade to support, strengthen, and transport any production can pose any threat. However, there is a huge threat. Pests … can spread with WPM. These harmful organisms do not choose - parks, private gardens, private yards with cultivated vegetation, or forest. Once in the country and under the right conditions, pests spread very quickly, and it is extremely difficult to eradicate them. The fight against already existing pests causes severe economic, emotional damage by cutting down and destroying all trees that are infected, regardless of where they grow and the value they have.

Editorial word. We keep hearing stories of products, such as massage chairs, plush toys, 'stuck' in customs and not allowed into the EU market due to incorrect or non-existent CE marking. What … should be known to EU importers to prevent such situations? Mr. Arvydas Naina, Head of the Market Surveillance Planning and Risk Assessment Division, State Consumer Rights Protection Authority (SCRPA), Lithuania, kindly agreed to answer related questions.

Editorial word. The website of the State Consumer Rights Protection Authority (SCRPA), Lithuania contains numerous reports of prohibited products to be placed on the market, for example, due … to the risk of injury, it is prohibited to place a scooter from China on the market (see picture below). Therefore, importers seeking the smooth release of goods for free circulation need to be certain of the product's compliance with EU safety requirements. Mr. Arvydas Naina, Head of the Market Surveillance Planning and Risk Assessment Division, SCRPA, kindly agreed to answer questions on the topic.