The prohibition on importing certain agricultural products for release into free circulation from Russia and Belarus enters into force
According to the amendments to the legislation of the Republic of Latvia, as of March 8, 2024, it is prohibited to import fruits, vegetables, grains, and animal feed products from Russia and Belarus into Latvia, subjecting them to specific customs procedures. The ban also applies to the import of corresponding goods of Russian and Belarusian origin from other third countries.
Importation (import) into Latvia, according to the Law on Agriculture and Rural Development, refers to the release of agricultural and animal feed products in the following customs procedures:
Release for free circulation, except for release for free circulation for the purpose of supplying products to a recipient in another member state with exemption from value-added tax;
Import for processing, except for import for processing with the aim of destroying products;
Import for final consumption.
The ban does not apply to other customs procedures such as transit, storage in free zones, or customs warehouses.
The import ban applies to both companies importing specified cargo and private individuals - travelers and cargo truck drivers who transport goods in personal baggage for personal consumption, as well as individuals receiving postal or courier shipments.
According to Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 158 of March 5, 2024, "Regulations on the importation of prohibited agricultural and animal feed products into Latvia," the ban applies to the following agricultural and animal feed products:
- Fresh or chilled vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, onions, cauliflower, cucumbers, carrots, peas, beans, mushrooms, etc.); frozen vegetables; temporarily preserved vegetables for transportation or storage prior to use; dried vegetables; dried legumes;
- Nuts, fresh or dried; fresh or dried fruits (bananas, dates, citrus fruits, grapes, apples, pears, cherries, plums, strawberries, etc.); frozen fruits and nuts; dried fruits;
- Grain products (wheat, barley, oats, maize, rice, buckwheat, etc.); screenings, husks, and other residues obtained by processing cereal grains or legumes; residues of flour production; beet pulp; oilcakes; ready-made pet food (with exceptions). All HS commodity codes subject to the ban are specified in the aforementioned Cabinet of Ministers regulations.
If customs procedures - release for free circulation, import for processing, and import for final consumption - are applied to the specified agricultural and animal feed products from Russia and Belarus or goods of corresponding origin from these countries, customs will not accept the release of these goods under these procedures. The processing of the specified customs procedures will also be denied if these goods were imported into Latvia before March 8, 2024, and were in temporary storage or if goods were subject to any customs procedure (e.g., transit, storage in a customs warehouse, or free zone).
State Revenue Service reminds that these restrictive measures are additional norms established in addition to the sanctions imposed by the European Union. Companies and individuals involved in international trade must ensure compliance with both EU-imposed sanctions and additional restrictions established by the legislation of the Republic of Latvia.
State Revenue Service information
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