Which products are covered by the sanctions against Russia?
There are currently extensive European sanctions in place against Russia. This can affect your business if you export products to, or import products from Russia or Ukraine. Do you need to supply products or services to Russia? Learn more about what is allowed and what you must do.
The impact of sanctions on Russian imports and exports
Always check if your products fall under the sanctions before you export products or services to Russia, or if you import products from Russia. To find out if you can import or export a certain product from or to Russia, consult the EU article on the sanctions. This provides a summary of all sanctions packages plus links to the relevant regulations. The lists of products that you cannot export to or import from Russia are published in the annexes to the EU regulations.
Learn more about how the Netherlands implements the sanctions against Russia and Belarus on Government.nl.
Information provided by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)
RVO maintains a database of products on the sanction lists, as well as sector-specific information. This information is available only in Dutch. However, links to the EU regulations in English are often available. You can also search in the annexes for specific commodity codes (HS codes).
Exemptions to the ban
Exemptions to the export and import ban can only be provided under certain circumstances. Does your product appear on any of the sanction lists, but you think it meets the criteria for an exception? You must apply for an exemption permit from the Central Import and Export Office (CDIU). Download the application form (in Dutch).
Possible exemptions include products with one of these purposes:
Humanitarian aid and emergency response
Medical or pharmaceutical use
Personal goods carried by travellers (not for sale)
Cybersecurity services (excluding the Russian government and entities it controls)
Other specific exemptions exist, for example, in relation to civilian cooperation, diplomatic use, or international space programmes. Always consult the official EU sanctions regulations for the full, up-to-date list of exemptions.
Military end-users and dual-use goods
You cannot get an exemption permit if your product will be exported to a military end-user in Russia. Check the full list of entities that automatically count as military end-users.
If you intend to export dual-use goods, you need a valid export licence.
Contact the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)
You can also contact RVO for advice about sanctions and exemptions. This page is in Dutch, but you can ask your question in English. For direct answers about the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, call 088 042 43 40.