EU Issues Sanctions Guidance on Personal Goods, Cars From Russia

The EU added a FAQ to its Russia sanctions guidance covering the "import, purchase & transfer of listed goods." The questions ask if a Russian national can temporarily bring personal goods and vehicles into the EU for tourism reasons. The bloc said no, clarifying that its regulations bar the "purchase, import, or transfer, directly or indirectly, of goods as listed in Annex XXI to the Regulation if they originate in Russia or are exported from Russia." This ban includes cars under CN code 8703.

An exemption exists for cars bought in Russia for the personal use of EU nationals and their immediate family members, the FAQ clarified.

"It is not relevant whether the use of the vehicles is private or commercial as long as the vehicles are falling under a CN code listed in Annex XXI (e.g. CN code 8703) and are originating in or are being exported from Russia," the FAQ said. "This is most likely the case for vehicles having a Russian license plate and are registered in Russia." The length of stay in the EU "is also not relevant."