Switzerland has reportedly banned the sale and import of Russia-origin aluminium in unwrought form, effective Thursday, May 15. The measure also extends to Belarusian aluminium, alongside new restrictions imposed on certain exports.
This move by Switzerland is in line with the European Union's 16th sanctions package, introduced in February 2025, targeting imports of aluminium, military equipment, and all those vessels transporting Russian oil. The goal of the EU's sanctions was to undermine Russia's revenue streams and limit its ability to finance the war with Ukraine.
Switzerland had implemented similar sanctions at the onset of the conflict three years ago. However, authorities observed Russian aluminium continued to enter the country indirectly, often routed through intermediaries like Turkey.
Historically, Switzerland used to import a substantial volume of aluminium (including aluminium semis) from Russia. According to the Internal Trade Administration, imports totalled 14,753 tonnes in 2015, before dropping to around 3,000 tonnes in the following two years. The volume rebounded in 2018 and 2019, reaching approximately 9,000 tonnes, but then declined again to 1,746 tonnes in 2022 and even lower in 2023.
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