Business, Forwarding, Freight News, Logistics


Russian sanctions-busters – look for the warning signs

[ November 4, 2025   //   ]

Freight forwarders, hauliers and parcel carriers are urged to look for warning signs of shippers trying to evade sanctions on Russia in new government guidance for the sector published on 3 November.

As well as obvious measures, such as ensuring that the consignment does not contain sanctioned goods, especially those with military or dual-use applications, it urges freight operators to check for goods classified with HS codes or descriptions similar or adjacent to those used to classify higher-risk goods. Goods may be misclassified to conceal shipments subject to sanctions and export controls, especially if the items are of a similar size and weight when packed. 

Other warning signs are products that do not fit the consignee’s line of business – for example, an order of sophisticated computers shipped to a small bakery – products shipped in unusual or unexpected quantities, vague or dubious descriptions of the goods, unusual requests for packaging, labelling, or removing documentation or other steps to disguise the contents.

They should also look out for  consignment dimensions or weight do not align with those normally expected for the product, or if the language used on package labels is not consistent with the stated destination, for example, the consignment is destined for Turkey, but package labels are written in the Cyrillic alphabet. 

Another tell-tale sign are shippers that refuse or hinder attempts to check the contents of the consignment.

It is also essential to stay up to date with any amendments to The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, and to consider how any additions and changes affect compliance obligations. The UK Sanctions List should also be regularly reviewed. 

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