Countries · BY
Belarus: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 283 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Belarus.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
Belarus is under extensive sector sanctions and export controls. Many goods are banned outright; even ordinary goods need a check against the sector restrictions, and parties are frequently listed.
Sources: EU Sanctions Map — Belarus (22 Apr 2026) · SECO — Sanktionsverordnungen (index of 28 Swiss regimes) (24 Oct 2026) · OFAC — Sanctions Programs and Country Information (active programs) (24 Oct 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026
By sanctions regime
The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.
| Regime | Indicator | What applies |
|---|---|---|
| UN | — | No UN sanctions regime. |
| EU | Heavy sanctions | Mirrors many Russia measures (amended Apr 2026). |
| Switzerland | Heavy sanctions | Swiss ordinance on Belarus in force. |
| UK | Heavy sanctions | UK Belarus regime in force. |
| US | Heavy sanctions | US Belarus programme and export controls. |
On the sanctions lists
283 entries on the official lists name Belarus — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 113 | 113 | — | — |
| Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List | 67 | 67 | — | — |
| EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF) | 65 | 65 | — | — |
| UK Sanctions List (FCDO) | 35 | 35 | — | — |
| US OFAC — Consolidated (Non-SDN) Lists | 3 | 3 | — | — |
Latest changes
- Switzerland (SECO) · Belarus: 6 new designations
· New listings
- Switzerland (SECO) · Situation in Ukraine: 45 new designations
· New listings
Related
Logistics profile
Belarus: logistics and trade
EU-Russia transit route / EAEU corridor
Belarus (ISO-Code: BY) is located in Eastern Europe and borders Latvia and Lithuania to the north, Russia to the east, Ukraine to the south, and Poland to the west. The country is a presidential republic with highly centralized political structures and close economic ties with Russia. The climate is characterized as continental, with cold winters, mild summers, and moderate precipitation, influencing agriculture and infrastructure. Economically, Belarus is based on industry, mechanical engineering, chemistry, electronics, and energy, supplemented by agriculture and services. Foreign trade focuses on exports of machinery, chemical products, and food, while the country heavily relies on imports of raw materials, energy, machinery, and consumer goods. Belarus serves a strategic transit function between Europe and Russia, particularly through road, rail, and inland waterway routes. The national currency is the Belarusian Ruble (BYN), which governs the national payment system. Logistic infrastructure includes well-developed roads, railway lines, and river ports that facilitate the movement of goods within the country and abroad. The geographical location and industrial capacities make Belarus an important hub for trade and transport in Eastern Europe.
- Capital
- Minsk
- Population
- 9,056,100
- Area
- 207,600 km²
- Currency
- Belarusian Ruble (BYN)
- Continent
- Europe
- Region
- Eastern Europe / CIS
- Economic area
- EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union)
- Religions
- Orthodox Christianity, Protestant Christianity, Catholics, None
- Access to the sea
- Landlocked
Transport modes Road · Rail
- Current situation
- 2025/2026: multiple closures of border crossings by Poland and Lithuania; EU trucks largely excluded. Transit operates on a restricted basis via Brest and Lithuania. As of June 2026.
- Seasonal conditions
- Continental climate: cold, snowy winters can delay road and rail transport; rivers occasionally frozen.
Main cargo airports
- Minsk National AirportMSQ
Road corridors
- M1/E30 Brest-Minsk-Russian border
- M8/E95 towards Ukraine
- M6 Minsk-Grodno
Rail corridors
- Corridor II Brest-Minsk-Orsha (gauge change 1435/1520 mm in Brest)
- China-Europe transit via Brest
Inland ports
- Mozyr (Pripyat)
- Gomel (Sozh)
- Bobruisk (Berezina)
Main trade lanes
- Belarus-Russia
- China-EU transit
- Belarus-China
Customs and import
Customs authority State Customs Committee of the Republic of BelarusOfficial website ↗
- Import customs system
- Import under the EAEU Customs Code; national electronic declaration with the State Customs Committee. Belarus forms a common customs area with Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.
- Export customs system
- Export via the State Customs Committee under the EAEU Customs Code; electronic customs declaration. No EU preferential agreements.
- Import VAT
- Standard rate 20 percent, reduced rate 10 percent (including food and medicines); levied by the Ministry of Taxes and Duties.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- Preferences mainly within the EAEU and the CIS free trade area (certificate of origin ST-1). No EU free trade agreement; EU general preferences have been suspended.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Nationally, licensing requirements also apply to weapons, precursors and certain agricultural and industrial products.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Consignment note (CMR/rail SMGS)
- Customs declaration
- Certificate of origin
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Customs declaration
- Certificate of origin ST-1
- Export licence, if applicable
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- High
- Customs delays
- High
- Port congestion
- Medium to high
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Low to medium
- E-commerce relevance
- Low
Trade
Top import goods
- Machinery
- Chemicals
- Mineral oils
- Electrical equipment
- Plastics
Top export goods
- Potassium fertilizers
- Rapeseed oil
- Sawn timber
- Poultry meat
- Agricultural machinery
Typical cargo
- Potassium fertilizers
- Machinery
- Wood
- Mineral oils
- Agricultural products
Logistics questions
Which customs system applies in Belarus?
The Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) applies, with national electronic declaration with the State Customs Committee. Belarus forms a common customs area with Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.
What is the import VAT rate?
The standard rate is 20 percent, the reduced rate 10 percent (including certain foods and medicines). It is levied by the Ministry of Taxes and Duties.
Does Belarus have seaports?
No. Belarus is a landlocked country without access to the sea. Goods traffic runs by road, rail, air freight and inland waterways; sea freight is handled via ports in neighboring countries.
What role does Belarus play in China-Europe transport?
Belarus is a central transit corridor for rail freight between China and the EU. In Brest, the gauge changes between the Russian broad gauge (1520 mm) and the European standard gauge (1435 mm).
What should be noted at the borders in 2025/2026?
Poland and Lithuania have closed or restricted several border crossings; EU trucks are largely excluded. Transit times and costs are rising. Check current opening hours of the crossings before transport.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 22 Jun 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.