The embassy warned Russians against traveling to Germany due to cases of confiscation of cars

The Russian Embassy in Germany calls on Russians to refrain from traveling to Germany until the situation with the confiscation of cars of Russian citizens is clarified. Message about it published on the website of the diplomatic mission.

“Until the situation is clarified (corresponding steps have been taken by the embassy and consular offices), we strongly recommend that Russian citizens refrain from importing vehicles with Russian registration numbers into the territory of Germany,” the message says.

The Embassy confirmed several cases of seizure of cars registered in Russia by the German authorities. Berlin refers to Art. 3i of the EU Council Regulation of July 31, 2014, which prohibits the sale and import into the EU countries of a number of goods, including cars, if they are produced in Russia or exported from the country. The German authorities claim that Russians entering the country in private cars violate the German law “On Foreign Trade”.

The embassy noted that the German side ignores the arguments about private ownership, the use of the car for personal purposes and the temporary location of the car on the territory of Germany. Moreover, the Russians are threatened with possible criminal prosecution, the diplomatic mission added.

The day before, July 5, RBC with reference to the response of the German customs informedthat the German authorities consider entry into Germany from Russia in a private car grounds for the arrest of vehicles. “In this context, the expression “importation” actually covers any movement of goods or cargo. The embargo does not provide for exceptions to the ban for the circumstances you specify, ”the customs office explained to the publication.