On 16 July, the Russian government adopted Resolution No. 896, the fifth amendment since 2022 to the rules governing international road transport restrictions, Linava reports. The document was officially published on 17 July, with most of the changes taking effect the following day. The revised list of permitted goods came into force 30 days later, on 16 August.
Russia first restricted the ability of hauliers from the EU, the United Kingdom, Norway and Ukraine to enter its territory through Resolution No. 1728, adopted in 2022. However, that measure included exemptions for certain types of goods and transport arrangements. The latest amendments have narrowed those exemptions further.
Four major food categories removed
The most significant change for hauliers is the reduction in the list of goods exempt from the general ban. According to Linava, only 22 product lines remain in the latest version.
Four broad categories of commonly transported food products have been removed: Chapter 07, covering vegetables and certain edible roots and tubers; Chapter 08, covering edible fruit and nuts, as well as citrus fruit and melon peel; Chapter 19, covering preparations made from cereals, flour, starch or milk, including pastry and confectionery; and Chapter 21, covering miscellaneous edible preparations.
Hauliers from the EU and other countries subject to the restrictions can no longer rely on the previous exemptions when carrying goods falling within these categories.
The revised list approved by the Russian government still permits, among other things, live animals, meat and meat products, fish and seafood, dairy products, eggs, honey, selected plant-based goods, certain chemical-industry products, ceramics, glass, clocks and watches, and musical instruments.
For the road transport sector, the removal of food categories commonly shipped in large volumes is particularly significant. It could reduce not only the number of direct journeys into Russia but also the volume of transit traffic crossing the country.
Estonian hauliers face separate changes
The July amendments also introduced new conditions for Estonian carriers. Estonia was added to a provision that had previously applied to Moldova, bringing Estonian hauliers under the corresponding restrictions. This change took effect on 19 July, before the revised goods list came into force.
The decision marks another stage in the gradual tightening of Russia’s road transport rules since 2022. The original framework has now been amended five times.
Fuel limit remains unchanged
Although the list of permitted goods has been reduced, the fuel limit for foreign trucks leaving Russia remains unchanged.
A foreign carrier’s truck may leave the country with no more than 200 litres of fuel in the manufacturer-installed tanks that are technically connected to the engine’s fuel system.
This rule affects route planning, refuelling stops and the total cost of a trip. Because the limit applies when the vehicle leaves Russia, operators must calculate in advance how much fuel will be needed for the remainder of the journey outside the country.
Trailer changes and transloading rules remain unchanged
The latest resolution does not alter the list of approved locations for trailer changes and cargo transloading. In practice, logistics procedures at the border and at designated transfer points remain broadly unchanged.
The scope for transport operations is nevertheless becoming more limited. As fewer goods qualify for exemptions, EU hauliers have fewer opportunities to carry cargo farther into Russia or through the country in transit.
Before accepting new orders, transport companies should check not only the cargo description but also its precise classification code. Russia’s resolution defines the exemptions using the Eurasian Economic Union’s Foreign Economic Activity Commodity Nomenclature, meaning that similar products may be subject to different rules depending on how they are classified.
The changes that took effect in August mean that companies arranging transport to Russia or through its territory must reassess their routes, contractual commitments and cargo eligibility. This is particularly relevant for operators whose business has relied heavily on transporting fruit, vegetables and processed food products.
