Latvia bans imports of books, clothing, and toys made in Russia and Belarus
A Latvian ban on imports of a range of goods made in Russia and Belarus took effect on September 1, covering not only direct imports but also goods routed through third countries.
The banned list includes books, newspapers, and other printed materials, along with clothing, footwear, headwear, toys, games, and sporting goods.
The Latvian news outlet Delfi reports that Latvia’s restrictions don’t extend to other European Union countries: goods made in Russia or Belarus can still enter Latvia via Lithuania, and Russian and Belarusian goods may still transit through Latvia en route to other EU states.
The Saeima, Latvia’s parliament, passed the underlying amendments in late July.
Latvian officials have said the ban is meant to protect the country’s security interests, limit Russia and Belarus’s ability to profit from exports, and curb the flow of Russian propaganda materials into Latvia.
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