Knowledge base

How to check whether goods are subject to EU sanctions, step by step

Updated: 26 June 2026

To establish whether goods are subject to EU sanctions, determine their CN code, check that code against the annexes to Regulation 833/2014 (Russia) and 765/2006 (Belarus), confirm the result in the consolidated version of the act on EUR-Lex and cross-reference it with TARIC data, then record the date and version on which you based your decision.

Step 1. Establish the correct CN code of the goods

EU goods sanctions are built around CN codes, that is the Combined Nomenclature. These are the same 8-digit codes you use in the customs declaration and on the invoice. The annexes to the regulations list specific codes or whole headings (for example 4-digit ones), so the starting point is always the correct tariff classification of the goods.

If you are unsure about the code, check it in Binding Tariff Information (BTI) or in the TARIC browser. An incorrect CN code is the most common cause of a wrong sanctions assessment, because a one-digit mistake can move goods from a prohibited heading to a free one, and the other way round.

Step 2. Check the code in the tool and in the annexes

Enter the CN code or the name of the goods in the search box. The tool will show whether the code appears in the database of restricted items, under which regime (Russia 833/2014, Belarus 765/2006), in which annex and on the basis of which article, and whether any exemptions or derogations exist.

Remember the prefix rule. The acts often list 4-digit headings that cover all detailed codes beginning with those digits. So entering 7304 will also find 7304 11 00, and entering the full code will hit the parent heading. Check both the full code and its parent heading.

Step 3. Confirm the result in EUR-Lex and TARIC

Treat the result from any tool as guidance, not as a binding decision. What is binding is the wording of the regulation. Open the consolidated version of the act on EUR-Lex and check whether your code actually appears in the cited annex and what the current consolidation date is.

TARIC, the integrated EU tariff, shows the measures attached to a code at the operational level, including restrictions arising from sanctions. Comparing the TARIC result with the wording of the regulation gives a fuller picture than either source on its own.

Step 4. Watch out for the "no match" status

A "no match" in the search box does not mean that trade is allowed. It may mean that the code is not covered by a goods ban, but it may also mean that it has not yet been entered into the database, that the parent heading is covered, or that the restriction stems from a different mechanism, for example sanctions against a specific recipient.

Always check the parent heading of the code as well, the status of the recipient and the country of destination. Only the combination of these elements lets you assess the transaction responsibly.

Step 5. Document the check

The key to due diligence is proof that the check took place. Record the CN code, the date of the check, the regime, the annex and the article, the consolidated version of the act and a link to the source. A PDF report with this data is a simple way to archive the check for every shipment.

Such an audit trail matters during a KAS inspection and in any dispute. It shows the legal state and the version of the act on which you based your decision at the time of the transaction.

Example: checking stainless steel tubes 7304 11 00

Suppose you export stainless steel tubes with CN code 7304 11 00. First you verify the classification, because heading 7304 covers tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, seamless, of iron or steel. You enter the full code in the search box and at the same time check the parent heading 7304, in line with the prefix rule.

Steel products, including many items from Chapter 72 (iron and steel, e.g. 7207) and Chapter 73 (articles of iron or steel, e.g. 7304, 7306), appear in Annex XVII linked to Article 3g of Regulation 833/2014, that is the ban on importing Russian steel products and related services. After matching the code you open the consolidated version of the act in EUR-Lex, check the exact wording of Article 3g, the cut-off date and any exemptions, and record the result in a report with the version date.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I start, with the CN code or the name of the goods?

The CN code is the most reliable, because it is the language of the regulations. The name of the goods helps you find candidate codes, but the final assessment always rests on a correctly established CN code and its parent heading.

Is checking the CN code alone enough?

No. The CN code is the starting point. You still have to check the recipient, the country of destination and any exemptions. Sanctions cover both goods identified by CN code and specific persons and entities.

Where do I find the binding wording of the provision?

In the consolidated version of the regulation on the EUR-Lex portal. That is the binding source. Every tool, including this one, is informational and refers you to EUR-Lex.

What does a "no match" result mean?

That no entry was found in the database for that code. This is not confirmation that trade is allowed. Check the parent heading of the code, the recipient and the country of destination.

How often do sanctions lists change?

Lists of goods and entities are updated with each new sanctions package, sometimes several times a year. That is why you should always record the date and version of the act on which you base your decision.

Check a CN code Russia regime (833/2014) Example: CN code 7304 11 00 CN code and sanctions Exemptions and derogations

More in the knowledge base

Informational content based on EU regulations (833/2014, 765/2006) and the act of 13 April 2022 (Journal of Laws 2022 item 835). It does not constitute legal or customs advice. The binding source is the text of the act in EUR-Lex and the decision of the customs authorities. In case of doubt, consult an adviser.