U.S. Imposes Import Ban on Russian Metals

Trade Update • April 17, 2024

he U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced a prohibition on the import of certain metals from Russia, specifically aluminum (Harmonized Tariff Schedule Chapter 76), copper (Chapter 74), and nickel (Chapter 75), effective April 13, 2024. This ban extends to imports for U.S. Foreign Trade Zones unless authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Exceptions apply to metals produced before this date with proof of the production documentation.

Import Documentation Requirements

The CBP mandates importers provide date of production documentation like Certificates of Analysis and Certificates of Origin to verify admissibility prior to cargo release. OFAC has cautioned importers to ensure documentation authenticity due to concerns over potential falsification.

Export Restrictions

For exports, effective April 13, 2024, OFAC prohibited the export, reexport, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the U.S., or by a U.S. person, wherever located, of any of the Covered Metals Acquisition Services to any person located in Russia, unless licensed or otherwise authorized by OFAC.

Compliance and Clarifications

This update follows previous sanctions under Executive Order 14067, which also targeted Russian-origin seafood and diamonds but exempted transformed foreign-made products. OFAC issued five new, Russia-related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs 1168 – 1172) and amended two others (FAQs 1019 and 1128).

Contact Information

For more details or guidance, stakeholders can contact the Office of Trade, Interagency Collaboration Division at CBP via email at CTAC@cbp.dhs.gov.

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