Berlin.
The Economics Minister is planning stricter customs controls. You owe that to the people of Ukraine. The FDP has now reacted.
- Federal Minister of Economics Habeck wants to enforce the sanctions against Russia with stricter customs controls
- You owe that to the people of Ukraine
- The FDP reacts to the advance
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck wants to enforce the sanctions against Russia with stricter customs controls. “It is unacceptable when sanctions are circumvented,” he said Green politician our editorial team. “We therefore have to tackle the issue much more vigorously and decisively. Last but not least, we owe that to the people of Ukraine.”
Habeck named Denmark as a role model, which uses the existing customs data from companies to determine evasion of sanctions uses. “Danish customs analyzes trade flows and customs data very precisely for anomalies. When they show up – for example, a large amount of certain goods that used to go to Russia are now suddenly to be delivered to another third country in much the same amount – that’s a reason to look,” he said. Customs then ask companies for a statement.
According to the foreign trade law, customs can carry out an audit of companies
German foreign trade law also recognizes this request for information and these auditing powers, said Habeck, referring to the foreign trade audit instrument. “If this is used in a targeted manner, we can strengthen the joint clout of our authorities.”
The FDP reacted with skepticism to Habeck’s demands for stricter regulations customs controls. “It is correct if the Economics Minister fights the evasion of sanctions,” said Christian Dürr, FDP parliamentary group leader, to this editorial office. “However, we should avoid companies having to produce even more paper in economically challenging times. New documentation requirements for our companies do little harm to the regime in Russia.”
Customs is under the umbrella of the FDP-led Federal Ministry of Finance. Dürr emphasized that Habeck should first check to what extent the authorities under his own ministry could help to better monitor the sanctions.
According to Section 23 of the Foreign Trade Act, customs can carry out an inspection of companies and have business documents shown to them if an analysis of the customs data reveals any anomalies. Companies are audited that are directly and indirectly foreign trade participate with third countries, i.e. deliver goods to non-EU countries.
Turkey or the Emirates were considered third countries to circumvent sanctions
As third countries to circumvent Russia sanctions apply, for example, to Turkey or the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Example: A company from an EU country exports goods that were previously exported to Russia to Turkey or the UAE. From there they are then delivered to Russia. Turkey and UAE do not participate in Western sanctions against Russia. However, according to various media reports, the government in Ankara is now said to be blocking transit deliveries to Russia.
It should not be tolerated when sanctions are “undermined by trickery,” stressed Habeck. “These sanctions have a reason: Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine, which is destroying our peaceful order.”
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