The German authorities must from the point of view of Economics Minister Robert Habeck take stricter action against companies in this country that do business with Russia via third countries and thus circumvent EU sanctions. The topic must be tackled much more forcefully and decisively, he told the Funke media group. “We owe that not least to the people of Ukraine.”

Since the start of the Russian war against the neighboring country a good 13 months ago the EU ten packages of sanctions against Russia launched, which provide for trade restrictions and other measures. With a better fight against the illegal circumvention of these sanctions, Germany could learn from Denmark, for examplesaid Habeck. The local customs analyze trade flows and customs data very precisely for anomalies. “If such things appear, for example a large quantity of certain goods that previously went to Russia are now suddenly to be delivered to another third country in pretty much the same quantity, that’s a reason to take a look.” Danish customs then asked companies to comment. “German foreign trade law also recognizes this request for information and these auditing powers. If this is used in a targeted manner, we can strengthen the joint clout of our authorities,” said Habeck.

At the end of February, his house proposed concrete steps to better combat the circumvention of sanctions. “We are currently discussing this in the federal government and with our EU partners”, he said. The Federal Ministry of Finance referred to the responsibility of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. “The tasks rightly mentioned by Mr. Habeck are not with customs, but with the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control in its own area of responsibility,” said a spokesman.

The Ministry of Economics, on the other hand, explained that customs is also responsible under the Foreign Trade Act. If customs data shows anomalies in companies, then customs can carry out an examination according to paragraph 23 and, for example, require the submission of business documents. This instrument must be used “more and more precisely”. According to analyses, there are noticeable changes and “circumventions” in general flows of goods such as electronic devices, cars, engines, machine components and so on. “Customs are responsible for the general flow of goods,” said Habeck’s ministry.