A ban on buying, importing, and transporting Russian oil products, including gasoline stored in cans, has come into effect in Estonia, according to Piret Tinkus, head of prohibitions and restrictions at the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. The new rules specify that Russian fuel cannot be moved across the border for personal use unless it is part of a vehicle’s own fuel supply and intended for use in that vehicle.
Estonian authorities estimate that nearly eight out of ten passenger cars now arrive at the border carrying a ten-litre jerry can in addition to a full tank of fuel. This change marks a significant tightening of enforcement around fuel purchases and cross-border transport with implications for travelers and freight operators alike.
Under the updated framework, residents of the European Union are generally restricted to purchasing fuel in Russia only when it is essential to complete a journey and return to EU territory. Only fuel contained within a vehicle’s fuel tank and designated for use in that vehicle may be imported into the EU. The practice of dumping fuel after crossing the border, whether for a fee or free of charge, is treated as a violation. Fuel can be drained only in the context of vehicle repair, and the fuel must be transferred back into the same vehicle in that situation.
International sanction violations carry penalties that may include a fine or imprisonment of up to five years, the ministry indicated in its announcement. The policy aims to curb the cross-border flow of Russian oil products and to reinforce compliance with EU-wide restrictions.
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Note: The information reflects the regulations currently in force in Estonia and related EU rules.