March 06, 2022
en lt
Sanctions of the EU

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What are sanctions?

Restrictive measures or 'sanctions' are an essential tool of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). Sanctions seek to bring a change in the policy or conduct of those targeted, with a view to promoting the objectives of the CFSP.

What are the objectives when adopting sanctions?

Key objectives when adopting sanctions:

  • safeguarding EU's values, fundamental interests, and security
  • preserving peace
  • consolidating and supporting democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the principles of international law
  • preventing conflicts and strengthening international security

Whom do the sanctions target?

Sanctions can target:

  • governments of non-EU countries because of their policies
  • entities (companies) providing the means to conduct the targeted policies
  • groups or organisations such as terrorist groups
  • individuals supporting the targeted policies, involved in terrorist activities, etc.

What are examples of restrictions in trade in goods?

Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine was amended on 25 February, 2022 (Council Regulation (EU) 2022/328) by an export ban covering:

  • goods and technology suited for use in aviation and the space industry and 
  • prohibition to provide provision of insurance and reinsurance and
  • maintenance services in relation to those goods and technology. 
  • It also prohibits the provision of technical assistance and other related services as well as 
  • financing and financial assistance in relation to the goods and technology subject to this prohibition.

Council Regulation (EU) No 765/2006 of 18 May 2006 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus was amended on 2 March, 2022 (Council Regulation (EU) 2022/355) by further restrictions related to the trade of goods used for the production or manufacturing of:

  • tobacco products, 
  • mineral products, 
  • potassium chloride (“potash”) products, 
  • wood products,
  • cement products, 
  • iron and steel products and 
  • rubber products. 

Where to find more information?

Please refer for more information on EU sanctions here: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/sanctions/  

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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