Finnish stores should stop selling unsanctioned goods to Russians - explanation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Finnish stores should stop selling unsanctioned goods to Russians - explanation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland explained that in accordance with the sanctions regime of the European Union, stores in the country are obliged to refuse to sell goods and products that are under restrictions to Russian tourists. This was reported by the Finnish Foreign Ministry at the request of Yle.

 

"The EU regulation on sectoral sanctions against Russia prohibits the sale, supply, transfer or export directly or through intermediaries of separately listed luxury goods to individuals or entities, organizations or structures located in Russia, or for use in Russia," explained Mikael Ruotsi, Finnish Foreign Ministry legislative secretary.

 

He added that the ban applies to everyone: the definition does not prohibit the sale of goods just because the buyer is Russian. We are talking about cases when the goods subject to the sanction can get to Russia.

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland admits that in practice it can be difficult to determine whether goods are sent to Russia or remain in Finland. Therefore, in each case, stores have to make a decision individually.

 

If there are any attempts to smuggle any subsanctioned products into Russia, they must be confiscated by customs officers. As reported earlier, during July Finnish Customs seized about a hundred of dual-use goods and luxury items from Russian tourists.





The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland explained that in accordance with the sanctions regime of the European Union, stores in the country are obliged to refuse to sell goods and products that are under restrictions to Russian tourists. This was reported by the Finnish Foreign Ministry at the request of Yle.

 

"The EU regulation on sectoral sanctions against Russia prohibits the sale, supply, transfer or export directly or through intermediaries of separately listed luxury goods to individuals or entities, organizations or structures located in Russia, or for use in Russia," explained Mikael Ruotsi, Finnish Foreign Ministry legislative secretary.

 

He added that the ban applies to everyone: the definition does not prohibit the sale of goods just because the buyer is Russian. We are talking about cases when the goods subject to the sanction can get to Russia.

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland admits that in practice it can be difficult to determine whether goods are sent to Russia or remain in Finland. Therefore, in each case, stores have to make a decision individually.

 

If there are any attempts to smuggle any subsanctioned products into Russia, they must be confiscated by customs officers. As reported earlier, during July Finnish Customs seized about a hundred of dual-use goods and luxury items from Russian tourists.