What’s new with the EU sanctions against Belarus?
This latest extension includes new controls on:
- Dual-use goods and technologies
- Luxury items, including diamonds and gold, which originate in Belarus – as well as the services associated with them.
- Goods and technologies needed for oil refining.
- The supply of accounting, auditing, tax consultancy, and other selected services to the Belarusian government and to companies in its ownership.
- Goods relating to arms or aerospace technologies and production.
The previous harmonisation of the sanctions against Belarus with those against Russia was in August 2023. Since then, there have been three more rounds of sanctions against Russia from the EU:
- The 12th EU sanctions package against Russia
- The 13th EU sanctions package against Russia
- The 14th EU sanctions package against Russia
The current sanctions list consists of 233 individuals and 37 entities in Belarus.
Aren’t the EU’s sanctions against Russia also against Belarus because of the union state?
Although Russia and Belarus form a union state and share a customs territory as part of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), they are still separate countries with different international relations.
Therefore, sanctions against Russia do not automatically apply to Belarus, nor to the other EAEU countries: Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
In fact, Belarus is the only EAEU country which has been greatly sanctioned alongside Russia following the escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian war in February 2022. Trade relations between the EU and Armenia, and between the EU and Kazakhstan, have strengthened in the last year.
In relation to Ukraine, the extension of sanctions against Belarus is due to the initial use of their border with Ukraine to launch Russian military operations, ongoing military activity within the country, and risk of circumnavigation.
How was Belarus previously sanctioned by the EU?
The EU first imposed sanctions against Belarus in 2004, targeting specific individuals reportedly involved in the disappearance of political figures. These included asset freezes and restriction on trading dual-use goods, and were extended following the presidential elections in 2006 and 2011.
However, many measures were suspended and then removed in 2015, following the release of political prisoners and with talks between the EU and Belarus for improving relations.
Then, measures were reinstated and expanded in August 2020 following reports of a fraudulent election, as well as a crackdown on peaceful protesting, political opposition, and journalism by officials. The list of those sanctioned included both private and governmental entities.
In May 2021, Belarusian aircraft illegally forced a Ryanair flight to divert to Minsk in order to seize a passenger, moving the EU to ban Belarusian aircraft from EU airspace and expand the sanctions with more trade and financial restriction.
Since the escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian war in February 2022, Belarus-originating goods have attracted additional import duty for many of their goods.
However, the sanctions against Belarus have not consistently grown with those against Russia, meaning that there was a risk for circumnavigation through the Union State. The latest extension of the EU’s sanctions against Belarus covers this exposure.
Belarusian vehicles are also affected
The EU sanctions against Belarus also prohibit the import, whether for commercial, personal, or temporary use, of truck trailers and passenger cars with Belarusian plates.
There are very few exceptions to this rule, and there are reports of many vehicles being seized.
Need help with navigating the EU’s sanctions against Belarus and Russia?
Customs Support Group is here for you. Whether you are importing or exporting, our team help to keep your supply chain safe and compliant. Contact us for more information.
