“The broader aim of sanctions is to protect international peace. The Tax and Customs Board, as the implementer of sanctions, has a major role here, because every day attempts are made to transport resources needed for war to Russia or from Russia to the European Union, and from now on, customs officials have more precise tools to prevent it,” said Raigo Uukkivi, the Director General of the ETCB.
While previously the violations of sanctions could only be processed in criminal proceedings, from now on, the legislator also provides the possibility of misdemeanour proceedings, and this applies to violations with a value of less than 10 000 euros. The punishment for misdemeanour is a fine of up to 2400 euros or detention for private persons, and a fine of up to 400 000 euros for legal persons. In addition, the ETCB will have the right to confiscate goods under expedited procedure. However, repeated misdemeanour is treated as a criminal offence.
For criminal offences of transport of goods and cash subject to sanctions, the penalty for private persons is up to 6 years of imprisonment and for legal persons, a fine of up to 40 000 000 euros. While previously sanctions violations were punishable only if committed intentionally, as of 27 April, violations made of negligence or recklessness are also punishable.
Misdemeanour proceedings will be conducted by the ETCB’s Customs Control Department and committed crimes will be processed by the ETCB’s Investigation Department.
The ETCB recalls examining prohibitions and restrictions in force carefully before crossing the border to avoid bringing prohibited goods. For more information, check the ETCB’s website or call the customs information line.
Due to operational changes, please allow extra time for border crossing.
