RBC: German authorities allow confiscation of goods from Russian citizens

Germany will not make exceptions from EU sanctions for Russians. About it reported RBC with reference to the response from German customs.

On September 8, the European Commission (EC) published an explanation on the import of Russian vehicles into the EU. Russian transport, regardless of whether it is used for private or commercial purposes, may be seized. In addition to vehicles, Russian citizens are prohibited from temporarily bringing with them things the import of which from Russia is prohibited to EU countries. The list of restrictions includes laptops, smartphones, cosmetics, etc.

As stated in Germany, Russians entering the country in private cars violate the German Foreign Trade Law. In September, the Russian Embassy in Germany stated that it continued to record isolated cases of German customs officers confiscating cars from Russians.

12 September Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Jovita Neliupsiene statedthat the republican authorities can confiscate cars registered in Russia. In addition, this was confirmed by the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs – according to the Minister of Internal Affairs of the republic, Agne Bilotaite, the cars should be confiscated, since this is the “function” of the country’s customs authorities.

At the same time, the head of the sanctions department of the Finnish Foreign Ministry, Pia Sarivaara reportedthat Finland did not implement the EU recommendation.