Further to the introduction of autonomous trade preferences for Ukraine, as reported in our blog post of 26 April, HM Revenue & Customs, the UK Customs Authority, has published an Information Paper to assist those involved in importing goods into the EU from Ukraine. The Information Paper provides useful guidance on compliance with the origin rules in order to benefit from the preferential arrangements, documentary requirements for claims for preference, interaction of the trade preferences…
Ambassadors of the 28 EU Member States have today reached a preliminary agreement to designate 15 persons in connection with the crisis in Ukraine and in light of Russia’s perceived failure to comply with the terms agreed in Geneva on 17 April 2014. According to the press, these persons will be individuals as opposed to entities. The list of these persons is expected to be published tomorrow in the EU’s Official Journal; their designations may…
Meeting in South Korea, leaders of the G7 (i.e., US, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Japan and Canada) have: Agreed to move swiftly to impose additional sanctions on Russia in order “to increase the costs of Russia’s actions”. Accused Russia of not taking any concrete actions in support of the Geneva accord. Condemned Russia’s illegal attempt to annex Crimea and Sevastopol, which the G7 does not recognize. Decided to “follow through on the full legal and…
On 22 April 2014, the European Union issued a regulation (the “Regulation”) reducing or eliminating customs duties on goods originating in Ukraine (the “trade preferences”). This follows a similar announcement made by the European Commission on 11 March. The trade preferences entered into force on 23 April 2014. The Regulation has been adopted in view of the unprecedented political and economic challenges facing Ukraine and in order to support its economy. According to the European…