EU's 20th Sanctions Package: What's Changed for Parcels to Russia

What's New in April 2026

Several more categories of goods have been completely banned from export to Russia. Those that affect ordinary parcels include: new series of server processors, an expanded list of GPUs, professional cameras and microphones for streaming, and a range of audio interfaces. Consumer electronics like smartphones and laptops were banned back in 2022; now, more specific professional items have been added to the list.

The list of dual-use goods under EU regulation 2021/821 has been expanded. The new version has stricter interpretations of "components for optics and navigation" – for example, some models of binoculars and thermal imagers for hunting, which previously fell under the civilian category.

Anti-Circumvention via Kyrgyzstan

The package specifically mentions a mechanism against sanctions being circumvented via third countries. Kyrgyzstan is in the spotlight, as the EU estimates that re-exports of machine tools and telecom equipment to Russia were going through it. The export of these categories to KG is now restricted for European companies.

This doesn't change anything for our UK→KZ and EU→KZ routes yet. But the trend is clear: Kazakhstan is also being watched. If restrictions on KZ destinations for personal parcels appear in future packages, we'll let you know separately.

What Was Already Under Sanctions From Previous Packages

Just to be clear. By the time of the twentieth package, we were already unable to ship the following to Russia:

- Smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop PCs – since 2022 - Drones of any level and components – since the 12th package - Used electronics – formally falls under dual-use refurbished - Luxury goods costing more than €300 each: watches, jewellery, designer clothing, paintings - Military paraphernalia and military-style clothing - Products of animal origin from the EU (Rosselkhoznadzor since 2025-01-20)

What This Means for Your Parcel

If you're sending personal items, gifts, documents, books, ordinary cosmetics or clothing up to €300 each – 99% of the time, everything will be fine. It's not clothing in general that's sanctioned, but clothing from luxury categories and military styles.

If your parcel contains electronics, photographic equipment, optics, or professional equipment, it's best to check with our support team. Sometimes the same model was fine one year, but added in the next sanctions package. The list changes.

The complete, up-to-date list with explanations is on our [Customs](/ru/customs#sanctions) page. We check it weekly against eur-lex.