Information for importers, exporters, customs clearance and other goods-related service providers
On 10 June 2025, the amendments to the Law on International Sanctions and National Sanctions of the Republic of Latvia enter into force. The amendments establish administrative penalties for violation of international or national sanctions by acquiring, selling goods subject to sanctions or transferring such goods across the state border of the Republic of Latvia, or providing brokerage services, technical assistance or other services related to such goods, or performing any other prohibited activities with such goods, where the value of the goods or services does not exceed EUR 10 000. Also, the amendments authorise the State Revenue Service to conduct administrative proceedings for such violations.
For the above offences, a natural person will face a fine of up to 2 000 fine units, whereas a legal person will face a fine of 2 000 to 6 000 fine units. According to Section 16(2) of the Law on Administrative Liability, one unit of fine is five euros.
Concurrent with the amendments to the Law on International and National Sanctions of the Republic of Latvia, the amendments to Article 84 of the Criminal Law and Section 231 of the Law On the Procedures for the Coming into Force and Application of the Criminal Law enter into force.
As from 10.10.2025, paragraph one of Section 84 of the Criminal Law imposes criminal liability for violation of sanctions imposed by the United Nations, the European Union, and other international organisations or sanctions imposed by the Republic of Latvia by acquiring, selling goods subject to sanctions or transferring such goods across the state border of the Republic of Latvia, or providing brokerage services, technical assistance or other services related to such goods, or performing any other prohibited activities with such goods, on a significant scale, or for violation of other sanctions imposed by the United Nations, the European Union, and other international organisations or sanctions imposed by the Republic of Latvia.
Paragraph two of the mentioned Section establishes criminal liability for violation of sanctions imposed by the United Nations, the European Union, and other international organisations or sanctions imposed by the Republic of Latvia by acquiring, selling goods of strategic importance, firearms, essential components of firearms, ammunition for firearms or goods or technologies intended for military purposes, or transferring such goods across the state border of the Republic, or providing brokerage services, technical assistance or other services related to such goods, or performing any other prohibited activities with such goods.
Pursuant to paragraph four of Section 231 of the Law on the Procedure for the Entry into Force and Application of the Criminal Law, liability for criminal offence provided for in Section 84 of the Criminal Law, committed on a significant scale, shall apply if the total value of the goods or services does not exceed EUR 10 000 or if the service is performed in respect of goods the value of which does not exceed EUR 10 000.
Liability for a criminal offence provided for in the Criminal Law, committed on a significant scale, shall apply if the total value of the property which was the object of the criminal offence was not less than the total of ten minimum monthly wages specified in the Republic of Latvia at that time. The value of the property shall be determined according to the market prices or prices equivalent thereto at the time when the offence was committed.
As of 10 June 2025, if the State Revenue Service discovers the elements of an administrative offence under the Law on International and National Sanctions of the Republic of Latvia in the actions of a person, the State Revenue Service shall initiate administrative proceedings thereof.