Import ban on natural gas and liquified natural gas of Russian origin to the European Union

The European Parliament and Council have approved a regulation intended to end the import of natural gas and liquified natural gas originating in Russia to the European Union. The regulation complements the existing sanctions by permanently banning the import of natural gas to the European Union, and by expanding the import ban on liquified natural gas.

Country of production to be verified in advance with Customs

In order to prevent circumventions of the import ban, the authority in the country of import must be presented with documents proving that the country of production of natural gas or liquified gas is not Russia. However, it is not necessary to provide documentation when the gas is delivered from Norway, the United States, Great Britain or Northern Ireland, Algeria, Qatar or Nigeria.

Documentation must be provided at least five working days prior to the gas arriving in the customs territory of the EU. In Finland, Customs decides on approving import.

Import ban to take effect on 17 March 2026

The import ban on natural gas and liquified natural gas takes effect on 17 March 2026. It is possible to import gas originating in Russia to the European Union according to the transition periods laid down in the regulation in cases where gas delivery contracts were made before 17 June 2025. Customs must be informed of any such contracts at least one month prior to import.

If you are importing gas from a location other than Russia, be sure to submit the documentation verifying the country of production to Customs no later than 10 March 2026 to enable import after 17 March.

We will release more information when we receive further instructions from the European Commission on specifying countries of gas production, and on customs declarations regarding the required documentation.

More information

• Regulation (EU) 2026/261 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 January 2026 on phasing out Russian natural gas imports and preparing the phase-out of Russian oil imports, improving monitoring of potential energy dependencies and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1938
• Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/335 of 9 February 2026 establishing the list of third countries exempted from prior authorisation for gas imports into the Union pursuant to Article 5(4) of Regulation (EU) 2026/261 of the European Parliament and of the Council
• Commission guidance on the implementation of the import ban