March 06, 2022
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International sanctions

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What are international sanctions?

International sanctions are non-military measures aimed at ensuring international peace and security, and respect for human rights. They may include the partial termination of economic relations, restrictions on communications and diplomatic relations, and other measures.

What is the legal basis of international sanctions?

The possibility of international sanctions, a legitimate instrument of international policy, is enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Charter, which is the founding international agreement of the UN. The UN is an international organization founded in 1945 to be the one place on Earth where all the world’s nations can gather together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity. Currently it has 193 Member States. 

Whom do the sanctions target?

Sanctions imposed by the United Nations and its Member States such as the US, Canada, the EU, the UK target states, natural or legal persons, and other entities whose actions, decisions or policies violate human rights, contribute to ethnic, territorial or religious conflicts, support terrorism or otherwise violate the most important norms and principles recognized by the international community.

What about the war in Ukraine?

UN Council’s permanent members are China, France, Russia, the UK and the US. On 24 February, 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine. The next day Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have demanded that Moscow immediately stop its attack on Ukraine.

What are examples of UN sanctions?

For example, it is set out in resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia: 

  • Arms embargo. All UN Member States are required to implement the arms embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Somalia.
  • Charcoal ban. All UN Member States are required to take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect import of charcoal from Somalia, whether or not such charcoal originated in Somalia. 
  • Assets Freeze. All Member States are required to ensure that any funds, financial assets or economic resources are prevented from being made available by their nationals or by any individuals or entities within their territories, to or for the benefit of individuals or entities designated by the Committee.

What are examples of sanctions imposed by UN Member States?

For example, on 3 March, 2022 Canada cut Russia and Belarus from Most-Favoured-Nation Tariff treatment after Russia invaded Ukraine. It results in the application of the General Tariff for goods imported into Canada that originate from Russia or Belarus. Under the General Tariff, a tariff rate of 35 per cent will now be applicable on virtually all of these imports. Russia and Belarus join North Korea as the only countries whose imports are subject to the General Tariff.

This measure is in addition to the many punitive actions that Canada and its allies have already taken against Russia and Belarus as a result of the illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, including other trade restrictions under the Special Economic Measures Act.

Where to find more information?

UN Charter: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/full-text
UN sanctions: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/information

Comments ()

en, lt
What to expect if you transport goods to (or from) Russia and Belarus via Latvia?
06-12-2023

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.

Alisa Leskovica

restrictions, trade barriers
en, lt
What to expect if you transport goods to (or from) Russia and Belarus via Latvia?
06-12-2023

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.

Alisa Leskovica

restrictions, trade barriers
en, lt
CBAM: History, objectives, scope, and its compatibility with international law (I)
30-11-2023

Note from the CCRM editors: This first part of the article provides an overview of the history, objectives and scope of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) introduced by the EU. It also examines the issue of whether the Paris Agreement on climate change foresees border adjustment measures by countries with high climate ambitions, and poses the following question: Is the CBAM fair towards developing countries? In the second part, the author will provide an overview of the provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) which could justify the CBAM, his assessment of the CBAM Regulation, and share a practical list of questions that companies can use in order to find out whether they are affected, and if so, how they can prepare to meet the CBAM requirements, in particular for the transitional period.

Michael Lux

restrictions, trade barriers
en, lt
CBAM: History, objectives, scope, and its compatibility with international law (I)
30-11-2023

Note from the CCRM editors: This first part of the article provides an overview of the history, objectives and scope of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) introduced by the EU. It also examines the issue of whether the Paris Agreement on climate change foresees border adjustment measures by countries with high climate ambitions, and poses the following question: Is the CBAM fair towards developing countries? In the second part, the author will provide an overview of the provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) which could justify the CBAM, his assessment of the CBAM Regulation, and share a practical list of questions that companies can use in order to find out whether they are affected, and if so, how they can prepare to meet the CBAM requirements, in particular for the transitional period.

Michael Lux

restrictions, trade barriers
en
Non-tariff measures: the biggest challenges in 2023
19-11-2023

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.

restrictions, trade barriers
en
Non-tariff measures: the biggest challenges in 2023
19-11-2023

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.

restrictions, trade barriers
en, lt
EU sanctions against RU and BY: non-tariff measures or non-tariff barriers?
19-11-2023

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.

Boryana Peycheva

restrictions, trade barriers
en, lt
EU sanctions against RU and BY: non-tariff measures or non-tariff barriers?
19-11-2023

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.

Boryana Peycheva

restrictions, trade barriers
en, lt
Non-tariff measures: their purpose and effect on trade
05-11-2023

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.

Rizwan Mahmood

restrictions, trade barriers
en, lt
Non-tariff measures: their purpose and effect on trade
05-11-2023

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.

Rizwan Mahmood

restrictions, trade barriers
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