The ban includes all Russian vehicles with nine or fewer seats, however, buses and small passenger vans can cross into Norway from Russia. The ban includes all Russian vehicles with nine or fewer seats, however, buses and small passenger vans can cross into Norway from Russia.
Additionally, Finland, Estonia, Poland and Latvia have a ban on Russian-registered cars following updated regulations set out by the EU Commission. This ban includes everyday items made in Russia, like soap, clothing, and items that can be used as military equipment, such as generators and tires. However, an exception is made if the products are for personal use by EU nationals.
Although Norway is not a member of the EU, it supports and is aiming to follow through with the sanctions imposed by the EU Commission in response to the war against Ukraine. According to the EU Common Foreign Security Policy these sanctions are part a larger crackdown on Russia throughout the war, including more than 40 sanctions and regimes. The EU wants its member states, including the US, to fully comply with sanctions and accept that penalties will apply if they do not. Russian Foreign Secretary Ministry Maria Zakharova called the EU Commission’s ban on Russian items and cars “pure racism and segregation which goes beyond the sanctions.”
Norway has not taken a final position on the updated sanction as recommended by the EU Commission yet but aims to start the ban as soon as possible.