MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Germany’s customs authorities are confiscating all New Year’s gifts coming from Russia, including even mittens and socks, which are not included in the list of sanctioned goods, the Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Isolation of Russian Germans and Russian-Speaking Fellow Citizens in Germany (VADAR) said in a statement made available to TASS.
The rights watchdog pointed out that the sanctions regulations adopted by European Union countries "ban the import of a number of goods from Russia, particularly in the form of gifts." "These include paper and paper products (including books), wood and wood products, gemstones and precious metals (gold), cigarettes, plastics and chemicals, including ready-to-use chemical products such as cosmetics, that is, everything that is included in the extensive Annex 21 to the regulation on sanctions," the statement reads. "However, [German customs] officials will not clear even Christmas and New Year’s gifts to which the sanctions do not apply. Woolen mittens, downy shawls and [warm] socks from Siberia intended for a German granny are [now] also subject to confiscation. Customs officers are either unwilling to look into the fine print of the [sanctions] legislation or are in the grip of [fanatical] bureaucratic overzealousness," VADAR elaborated.
VADAR stressed in this regard that the move to ban the import of the personal items of Russian nationals, "including those who have long been living in Germany, not only goes beyond common sense but also contravenes human rights." "Thanks to the persistent and consistent steps taken by VADAR, the European Parliament decided to reconsider bans on the personal belongings of Russians, saying that such excessive compliance discredits the goal and tools of sanctions. However, the recommendation is not legally binding, which is why EU governments aren’t observing it," the organization concluded.
The European Commission issued an explanatory document on September 8, banning the import of goods from Russia, which are listed in Annex 21 to EU Regulation No 833/2014, regardless of their intended purpose or use and the period of stay in the EU, including automobiles with less than ten seats. The list prohibits the import of a wide range of goods, from mobile telephones and audio and video recording devices to suitcases and clothing items, and makes even toothpaste, shampoo and other personal hygiene items subject to confiscation.