U.S. FAQs on imports and exports of alcohol, tobacco (Russia and Belarus)
TTB updated a set of FAQs regarding imports and exports of alcohol beverages and tobacco products
Russia and Belarus
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) updated a set of “frequently asked questions” (FAQs) regarding imports and exports of alcohol beverages and tobacco products to reflect the president’s executive order [PDF 1.2 MB] (March 11, 2022) prohibiting the importation of alcohol beverages of Russian origin.
Text of the FAQs is provided below.
The executive order also bans the exportation of certain alcohol beverages and tobacco products to Russia or Belarus, or to Russian or Belarusian individuals on the Office of Foreign of Assets Control’s (OFAC) specially designated nationals and blocked persons list (SDN list). Read TradeNewsFlash
Text of alcohol FAQs
G12: Can I import alcohol beverages of Russian Federation origin into the United States?
The importation of alcohol beverages of Russian Federation Origin into the United States is prohibited. On March 11, 2022, the President issued an Executive Order (EO) prohibiting the importation of alcohol beverages of Russian Federation origin. The EO is effective immediately. However, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Russia-related General License (GL) 17 to authorize the import of certain items pursuant to pre-existing written contracts or written agreements through March 25, 2022 (see OFAC FAQ 1024 for additional information on GL 17 and OFAC FAQ 1027 defining the terms in the EO). See OFAC's Ukraine/Russia-related Sanctions for additional information, or you may contact OFAC.
Last reviewed/updated 03/16/2022
G13: Can I export alcohol beverages to Russia and Belarus?
The exportation of certain alcohol beverages to Russia or Belarus, or to Russian or Belarusian individuals on the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s (OFAC) list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), wherever located, is prohibited effective March 11, 2022. See the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) Final Rule “Imposition of Sanctions on ‘Luxury Goods’ Destined for Russia and Belarus and for Russian and Belarusian Oligarchs and Malign Actors Under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR),” (March 16, 2022). You also may contact the BIS Office of National Security and Technology Transfer Controls (NSTTC) for additional information.
Last reviewed/updated 03/16/2022
Text of tobacco FAQ
T27: Can I export tobacco products to Russia and Belarus?
The exportation of certain tobacco products to Russia or Belarus, or to Russian or Belarusian individuals on the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s (OFAC) list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), wherever located, is prohibited effective March 11, 2022. See the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) Final Rule “Imposition of Sanctions on ‘Luxury Goods’ Destined for Russia and Belarus and for Russian and Belarusian Oligarchs and Malign Actors Under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR),” (March 16, 2022). You also may contact the BIS Office of National Security and Technology Transfer Controls (NSTTC) for additional information.
Last reviewed/updated: 03/16/2022
For more information, contact a professional with KPMG’s Trade & Customs services:
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Andy Siciliano |
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Luis (Lou) Abad |
Irina Vaysfeld |
Amie Ahanchian |
Christopher Young |
Gisele Belotto |
George Zaharatos |
Andy Doornaert |
Jessica Libby Principal T: 612-305-5533 E: jlibby@kpmg.com |
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