Latvia stopped allowing cars with Russian registration

Latvia, following Lithuania, stopped allowing cars with Russian registration into the country after clarifications from the European Commission regarding the imposed sanctions.

The State Revenue Service reported that after clarifications from the European Commission regarding previously imposed sanctions and the conclusion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Latvia is stopping allowing cars with Russian registration into the country across the borders of Russia and Belarus.

The decision came into force at 18:00 on Tuesday 12 September.

In case of malicious disobedience to customs officers and refusal to turn around at the border, the car may be confiscated.

Car owners were also warned against repeated attempts to enter through other checkpoints.

Travel from the EU to Russia in passenger cars with Russian registration remains permitted if they are not declared as goods.

Let us recall that on September 8, the European Commission published clarifications regarding long-standing restrictions on the import and export of goods to or from Russia. They clarified that the ban includes cars and some goods, regardless of whether they are personal belongings of travelers. At the same time, the European Commission clarified that the final decision remains with the member countries.

Lithuania subsequently warned that it would stop allowing cars with Russian registration, except for those traveling in transit to the Kaliningrad region.