Commerce Adds New Sanctions Page to Website on Russia, Belarus

Trade Update • MARCH 14, 2021

The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security has added a new page to its website that provides U.S. exporters with updated information on the new export controls and sanctions related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

BIS says it has taken “swift and severe action to impose stringent export controls on Russia,” which have also been applied to Belarus in response to its substantial enabling of Russia’s invasion.

The recent actions taken by the administration, “build on existing restrictions in place on Russia since its occupation of Crimea in 2014 and for other purposes.” As such, some of these restrictions remain in effect, while others have been expanded in scope as a result of measures taken in response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

In particular, BIS notes that it has imposed controls on a range of items subject to the Export Administration Regulations that did not previously require export licenses when destined for Russia or Belarus.  Now both countries have been made subject to broad in-country transfer controls.

The webpage includes extensive links to recent news releases, fact sheets and presentations, guidance documents, FAQs, enforcement resources and legal resources.

BIS says the page will be expanded and updated as events warrant.