Estonia introduces full customs controls at the EU's eastern external border with Russia
Estonia will introduce full customs control at its eastern EU border with Russia from August 8th. The government of the Baltic EU and NATO country decided this in Tallinn. According to the decision, the controls at the road and rail border crossings in Narva, Koidula, and Luhamaa will be gradually introduced and replace the risk-based passenger and vehicle checks currently in place. The aim, according to Prime Minister Kristen Michal, is to prevent the transit and transport of goods subject to EU sanctions through Estonia and to strengthen the country's security.
"Unfortunately, attempts to circumvent sanctions and continue transporting banned goods across our borders persist, as does the brutal war that Russia has started against Ukraine and its people," Michal said. "By introducing comprehensive goods controls, we can make it harder to evade sanctions and make it more difficult for Russia to supply its war machine."
The Estonian Tax and Customs Board announced that full control would take more time and could halve the number of border crossings to Russia. It stated that every person and their luggage, as well as all vehicles and their cargo, would be inspected at the border. The relevant local governments and transport and bus companies have reportedly been informed about this.
The full customs control at Estonia's eastern border with Russia, effective from August 8th, aims to significantly hinder the transportation of EU-sanctioned goods. Despite the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, attempts to circumvent these sanctions continue at Estonia's borders.
