In accordance with explanations from the European Commission and the opinion provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of 18:00 pm (local time) of the 12th of September, vehicles bearing registration plates of the Russian Federation are not allowed to enter the European Union through Latvian-Russian and Latvian-Belarusian border checkpoints, as LETA was informed by the State Revenue Service (VID).
Until now there was only the ban for Russian freight carriers to cross the European border.
The ban does apply to Russian freight carriers that carry various types of cargo to from Russia Kaliningrad through Europe’s territory.
From now on vehicles registered in Russia are not allowed to enter the European Union through Latvian border checkpoints. Persons that travel using vehicles registered in Russia will not be able to use them to enter the European Union through the Latvian-Russian border. These people will have to return to either Russia or Belarus, depending on which country they came from.
If a person refuses to obey the State Border Guard, including return back to Russia or Belarus, authorities will have the right to implement confiscation of the vehicle in accordance with existing customs regulations.
Latvian legislation provides criminal liability for failure to comply with sanctions.
The entry ban will not apply to vehicles intended for diplomatic and consular representation, as well as delegations, embassies and missions.
At the same time, persons will be allowed to return from the EU to Russia using vehicles registered in Russia if they are not declared at the customs as goods and are used only for transportation purposes.
As reported, Lithuanian border checkpoints no longer let vehicles bearing Russian registration plates through, as BBC was told by Lithuanian Customs Department.
On the 8th of September the European Commission published explanations in regards to imports and carrying goods from Russia. It is mentioned that it is no longer allowed to import vehicles and personal items from this country. Later the European Commission announced the list is more advisory than mandatory and that EU member states will be able to decide on their own whether they want to follow restrictions or not.
Also read: Russia says EU ban on Russians bringing certain goods into EU is racist