18th EU sanctions package expands list of prohibited export items by 180 commodity codes
The latest EU package of sanctions against Russia imposes ever stricter restrictions on goods, as the list of prohibited export items is expanded by more than 180 commodity codes. The list includes items that can be deemed as serving Russia’s industrial capability. Moreover, the EU prohibits imports from third countries of oil products extracted from Russian crude oil. Sanctions against Belarus are also tightened.
The list of goods banned from export expands by more than 180 commodity codes. The list now includes more goods that may serve Russia’s industrial capability. Items banned from export will now include for example various goods manufactured from metal, and a variety of tools and measuring devices.
The ban on transit will include diesel-run semi-trailer tractors, as well as trailers and semi-trailers meant for transporting goods. Furthermore, the transit ban is extended to include certain goods already banned from export, such as machine tools operated by electric discharge and water jet. The 18th sanctions package also introduces stricter export controls aimed at preventing circumventions of sanctions.
In enforcing sanctions, Finnish Customs has observed more than 30 000 anomalies in goods traffic and conducted over 4 000 targeted controls. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Customs has started more than 900 investigations into regulation offences related to violations of sanctions. Around 130 of these cases are being investigated as aggravated regulation offences. Prior to Russia’s war of attack against Ukraine, Customs investigated an average of two to ten regulation offences annually. Almost without exception, sanctions-related criminal investigation requires extensive international cooperation.
– Customs has addressed phenomena related to sanctions actively. Based on our enforcement operations, we have observed attempts at sanctions circumventions for example through countries outside the EU. We have countered this phenomenon with various enforcement measures. We also conduct close cooperation with for example Europol, our cooperating law enforcement agency, and OLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Office, in order to ensure uniform and efficient implementation of sanctions throughout the EU, says Mr Petri Lounatmaa, Director of Enforcement.
EU prohibits imports from third countries of oil products extracted from Russian crude oil
Imports from third countries of oil products extracted from Russian crude oil are banned. However, importers are not required to present certificates on the origin of crude oil as regards the separately determined partnering countries of Canada, Norway, the United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
Sanctions against Belarus to be aligned with sanctions against Russia
The EU is tightening sanctions against Belarus by aligning them with sanctions against Russia. Lists on export-banned goods and transit goods are expanded, and export controls are tightened.
More information
On 30 June 2025, the Council of the European Union decided to extend the validity of sectoral measures against Russia (Regulation (EU) 833/2014) until 31 January 2026.
The new sanctions were published in the Official Journal of the European Union on Saturday 19 July 2024. The sanctions packages will take effect at midnight on Sunday 20 July 2025.
Press release by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (19 July 2025): EU adopts extensive 18th sanctions package