EU-Russia: Stop exporting machine tools

The European Union launched its twelfth sanctions package against Russia. Regulation (EU) 2023/2878 – which came into force on 19 December 2023 – brought significant changes to Annex XXIII of Basic Regulation 833/2014, raising export barriers for equipment considered key in the development of Russian industry.

Especially affected by the new sanctions are machine tools for processing wood, cork, bone, hardened rubber, hard plastics and similar materials. Customs item 8465, which covers precisely these types of machines, is now under “lockdown”, with a ban on exports to Russia.

The only exception to the regulation is for equipment  whose contracts were concluded before 19 December 2023: these will be exportable until 20 June 2024.