On 19 May 2026, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) issued two new general trade licences under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the Russia Regulations), both of which came into force on 20 May 2026. The licences sit alongside the latest amendments to the regime, which introduced new prohibitions on the import of processed oil products derived from Russian crude and on the maritime transportation of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) — measures that

The Department for Business and Trade has introduced new Sanctions End-Use Controls (SEUC), marking a significant escalation in the UK’s efforts to prevent the circumvention of trade sanctions. Published on 22 April 2026, the guidance clarifies how exporters must respond where there is a credible risk that goods routed through third countries could ultimately reach sanctioned jurisdictions or individuals. At its core, SEUC creates a targeted licensing mechanism. Unlike tradit

The Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) has announced a significant expansion of its licensing remit, marking a structural shift in the UK’s export sanctions framework. From 27 April 2026, OTSI will assume responsibility for licensing sanctioned goods and associated ancillary services exported to sanctioned destinations, building on its existing role overseeing standalone services such as professional and business services. This change clarifies the division of re

The Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) has released new guidance aimed at helping businesses in the freight and shipping sector identify and counter Russian sanctions evasion. The publication provides practical tools for companies to strengthen compliance frameworks and safeguard supply chains against exploitation by sanctions evaders. The guidance outlines goods at heightened risk of diversion to Russia, red flag indicators of circumvention, and best practice re

Economic sanctions are the sharp edge of modern diplomacy. In a world marked by geopolitical fracture and strategic competition, they function as tools of coercion and containment, targeting adversaries without the deployment of armed force. But not all sanctions are created or enforced equally. In the UK, financial sanctions and trade sanctions operate within distinct legal and institutional frameworks. Financial sanctions, enforced by the Office of Financial Sanctions Imple