In June 2022, the EU imposed a ban on imports of russian flat glass due to russia’s attack on Ukraine. However, according to Glass for Europe, the trade association for the European flat glass sector, there are cases of glass entering from russia.
Float glass from belarus is allowed to be legally imported into the EU. Belarusian glass producer Gomelsteklo has historically exported a small portion of its products to the European market. However, following the sanctions against russia, belarusian float glass imports to the EU increased by 54% in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. This means that more than half of belarus’ production capacity is exported to the EU.
In mid-2022, the State Customs Service of Ukraine informed a glass manufacturer, a member of Glass for Europe, that it had intercepted four trucks of counterfeit glass at the Polish-Ukrainian border. It identified the shipments as float glass coming from a plant in Poland but originating in Lithuania. This was contrary to the regular export routes and aroused suspicion. Further discrepancies, including branding, packaging variations, unfamiliar numbering systems, etc., confirmed the fraudulent nature of the goods.
Also, since the beginning of 2023, there has been a noticeable increase in the supply of russian-made sheet glass to the Montenegrin seaport, in particular from Saratovstroysteklo. These goods are mainly purchased and distributed by a Serbian company. Technically, these transactions do not circumvent EU sanctions, as the products are not unloaded within EU borders. However, this trade flow is a cause for concern. Some of this russian glass may be re-exported to neighbouring EU countries.
Glass for Europe thinks that belarus, Montenegro and Serbia are transit points for russian glass imports.
The association proposes to
- Strengthen customs control over the import of sheet glass to the EU market.
- Introduce stricter measures and sanctions for entities involved in circumventing the import ban.
- Impose a ban on glass imports from Belarus due to its economic and geopolitical ties with Russia and its role in facilitating circumvention practices.
Illustration photo by Christian Ladewig on Unsplash
Belarus helps to circumvent the European ban on russian glass imports
ID no: 22782
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