Methodology and data sources

Which sources we use

The basis is the consolidated EU regulation versions published on EUR-Lex. A consolidated version merges the original act with all later amendments into one text, so it reflects the legal state in force on a given date.

• Regulation 833/2014 (Russia)Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 on restrictive measures toward Russia. We draw the CN codes from its annexes. Consolidated text on EUR-Lex.
• Regulation 765/2006 (Belarus)Council Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 on restrictive measures toward Belarus. We draw the CN codes from its annexes. Consolidated text on EUR-Lex.
• TARIC as a supplementWe use the EU integrated customs tariff (TARIC) as an auxiliary source, to confirm the scope and correctness of CN codes. The regulations themselves remain the binding source for the scope of sanctions. TARIC.

How we build the database

We extract CN codes from the regulation annexes and then normalize them to a uniform form stored in the cn_code_norm field (no spaces or separators). The search matches in an exact mode and by prefix, because the acts list not only 8-digit codes but also 4-digit positions covering whole groups of goods.

We assign each position a set of fields:

• status, that is whether and how the code is restricted,
• regime (Russia 833/2014 or Belarus 765/2006),
• the annex where the position appears,
• the article that is the legal basis,
• exemptions and derogations (for example art. 3k),
• the source version date.

Data quality

Each regime has an assigned data quality level (the data_quality field) shown next to the results. We display it openly so it is clear how far a position has been checked against the EUR-Lex text.

• Russia 833/2014: verifieddata_quality = "verified". 1118 positions verified against the EUR-Lex text. This is the core of the database with the highest confidence level.
• Belarus 765/2006: to reviewdata_quality = "to_review". 654 positions under verification. Treat them as indicative and confirm the status in the regulation text on EUR-Lex.
• To reviewThe "TO REVIEW" badge on a single result means a match by a shortened code (for example a 4-digit position) or a position that is still under verification. Always confirm such a result on EUR-Lex.

Data updates

The source version date is visible on every result, currently 2026-04-24. EU sanctions packages are released every few weeks and each can add or change CN codes and articles. After changes to the regulations we update the database and raise the version date, so you always know which legal state you are looking at.

What the tool does not do

• It is not legal or customs advice.
• It does not replace EUR-Lex, it refers you to the binding regulation text.
• It does not cover screening of sanctioned persons and entities. That is a separate mechanism run independently.

Frequently asked questions