Latvia bans import of more Russian and Belarusian industrial goods from September 1
As of September 1, 2026, Latvia has banned the import of several categories of industrial goods originating from Russia and Belarus, including books, clothing, footwear and toys. The ban follows a government regulation implementing amendments passed by parliament this summer.
Latvia has introduced a new national ban on importing certain industrial goods originating from the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus. The restriction took effect on September 1 this year under Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 509.
The regulation was issued based on amendments to the Law on Support for Ukrainian Civilians, which parliament (Saeima) adopted under urgency procedure on July 23. Those amendments had already established a general prohibition on importing certain Russian- and Belarusian-origin industrial goods, as well as a ban on importing such goods into Latvia from other third countries. The government's new regulation now specifies exactly which product categories the ban covers.
Which goods are covered
The ban applies to a wide range of goods classified under several chapters of the Combined Nomenclature: printed books, newspapers and other printing industry products; knitted and non-knitted clothing and accessories; other finished textile articles, including worn clothing and rags; footwear and similar items; headgear; and toys, games and sports equipment. The prohibition covers all product codes within these chapters.
The State Revenue Service (VID) explains that "importation" in this context means release of the goods under customs procedures such as release for free circulation, inward processing, or release for end use. An exception applies when goods are released for free circulation for onward delivery to a recipient in another EU member state under a value-added tax exemption.
Existing EU restrictions remain in force
VID notes that alongside the new national ban, broader European Union restrictions on importing goods from Russia and Belarus remain in effect. The agency says the goal of the new ban is to further curtail Latvia's economic ties with Russia as the perpetrator of aggression and with Belarus as its supporter.
The ban is currently set to remain in force until June 30, 2027. By May 1 next year, the Cabinet of Ministers must assess whether the import ban continues to serve public security and support for Ukrainian society, report its findings to parliament, and propose amendments if necessary.
