The EC has relaxed the ban on the import of personal belongings of Russians to EU countries – Kommersant

The European Commission has revised its recommendations to EU member states on how they should apply the ban on the import of certain goods subject to sanctions from Russia. In an EC clarification dated September 8, personal goods, including clothing and hygiene products, were subject to a complete ban on imports into EU countries.

In the updated version of Appendix XXI to Art. 3i of sanctions regulation No. 833/2014 (.pdf) states that national customs authorities should continue to enforce the ban on personal goods in a “proportionate and reasonable manner.” The EC document does not explain in any way whether smartphones, laptops and cameras, also found in Annex XXI, remain prohibited.

The import of passenger cars if they are exported from Russia remains prohibited. The EC classifies them as goods that can be used to circumvent sanctions. The document does not specify how exactly passenger cars can be used in this direction.

On September 8, the EC published a document according to which Russians cannot enter the EU territory in cars with Russian license plates. In the document, the EC referred to Annex XXI to Art. 3i of the sanctions regulations prohibiting the import of a range of items into the EU. These include: mobile phones, laptops, suitcases, cosmetics, leather and fur products, semi-precious stones, toilet paper, shampoos, toothpastes, cameras. If there are sufficient reasons, EU customs authorities may not allow them to pass.

At the end of June, when entering Germany, Russians’ personal cars began to be seized. The German customs office explained that entering the country by car from Russia is regarded by the authorities as a case of violation of European sanctions against Russia and is grounds for arresting the car.

Polina Motyzlevskaya