Trade sanctions

Overview

Restrictive measures, also referred to as sanctions, are legally binding measures that can be taken against individuals, entities or countries. Sanctions are adopted by the United Nations Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, and through decisions taken at European Union level.

Restrictive measures (sanctions)

UN sanctions

Sanctions measures adopted by the UN are binding on all UN Member States. They are typically implemented in the EU through EU measures (such as Council Decisions and Council Regulations), in order to ensure their consistent implementation in all EU Member States.

UN consolidated sanctions

UN Security Council sanctions list

EU sanctions

In addition to implementing UN sanctions, the EU adopts autonomous sanctions of its own, under its Common Foreign and Security Policy (Article 215 TFEU), as well as in relation to preventing and combating terrorism and related activities (Article 75 TFEU).

EU sanctions are instruments used by the EU to bring about a change in the policies or activities of other countries. They can be used to tackle violations of international law or human rights, and to promote peace, democracy, and the rule of law. Sanctions will generally include trade measures such as restrictions or embargoes on exports of certain items to specific countries or end-users. For example, the export of military equipment or equipment that could be used for internal repression may be prohibited.

The EU has over 50 different sanctions regimes in place.

EU sanctions support the objectives of the EU’s common foreign and security policy, such as conflict resolution, the fight against terrorism, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and the promotion of democracy, rule of law and human rights. EU sanctions create legal obligations for all EU citizens, operators and any business conducted within the EU.

If you are aware of possible violations of any EU sanctions, you can bring this to the Commission’s attention by voluntarily providing information on EU Sanctions Whistleblower Tool.

The EU Sanctions Map is an interactive map which shows the countries currently subject to EU sanctions and provides information on the individual regimes.

Regulation

For each EU sanctions regime, the relevant regulation requires Member States to designate National Competent Authorities (NCAs).

There are 3 National Competent Authorities for Ireland, The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Central Bank of Ireland.

The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has responsibility (policy, administration and enforcement) as a National Competent Authority for certain elements of trade sanctions, primarily dual use and military goods. The Authorised Officers in the department’s Trade Compliance and Enforcement team monitor compliance with EU sanctions, along with promoting compliance through outreach programmes for exporters and other stakeholders.

The legal basis for EU sanctions is provided by EU regulations, however, Member States are required to establish penalties under national law for breaches of the regulations.

Recent updates to regimes

EU restrictive measures in response to the situation in Ukraine

An extraordinary meeting of the Council of the EU on 3 March 2014 condemned the clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity by Russia. An overview of the decisions taken by the European Union regarding restrictive measures since this meeting may be found in a timeline on the department’s website. The department also provides a guidance note on current restrictive measures in response to the situation in Ukraine.

Information on the EU non-recognition policy for Crimea and Sevastopol may be found in a factsheet produced by the European Union External Action Service.

Financial sanctions

The department does not administer financial sanctions. Financial sanctions and related asset freezing restrictions are a matter for the Department of Finance and, at an operational level, are handled by the Central Bank. Contact details are as follows:

Website: International Financial Sanctions - Central Bank of Ireland

Email: sanctions@centralbank.ie

SMEs

SMEs are required to carry out due diligence and ensure that they are in compliance with EU sanctions and legislation.

The European Commission has set up an EU Sanctions Helpdesk to provide assistance to SMEs in complying with EU restrictive measures (sanctions). SMEs can access a range of useful EU resources and register their sanctions enquiries through this online portal. The helpdesk service also offers personalised support and guidance to assist SMEs in carrying out due diligence, which will give them greater confidence that their business activities are in compliance with EU sanctions.

The onus is on exporters to know their clients, and to adhere to the 'No re-export to Russia' clause: FAQs on the No re-export to Russia clause (PDF, 211KB)

The EU has laid out a 'Best Practices Guideline' for the implementation of restrictive measures: EU Best Practices for the effective implementation of restrictive measures (PDF, 571KB)

The EU has created a list of all products that have importation restrictions from Russia and Belarus, accessible from Access2Markets.

Export guidance and useful links

To help businesses with exporting goods and products, we have collected some useful information to assist you in ensuring you meet all the requirements.

The Guide for export of goods - Access2Markets helps you obtain information you need when you trade with third countries, such as on tariffs, taxes, procedures, formalities and requirements, rules of origin, export measures, statistics, trade barriers and much more. It also allows you to access key information needed for trade in services as well as for investment and procurement in third countries.

The EU Sanctions Map is an interactive map which shows the countries currently subject to EU sanctions and provides information on the individual regimes.

Entities - EU sanctions tracker allows you to check if an entity is sanctioned in the EU.

Individuals - EU sanctions tracker allows you to check if an individual is sanctioned in the EU.

Check if goods or services are sanctioned:

Check if an entity or person is sanctioned in the USA on Sanctions Programs and Country Information.

Check if an entity or person in sanctioned in the UK on FCDO - UK Sanctions List Search.

Introduction to trade sanctions