Export Ban

Zimbabwe Brings Forward Ban on Raw Lithium and Other Mineral Exports

Zimbabwe has accelerated its ban on the export of raw lithium and other unprocessed minerals, effective immediately as of February 2026. Downstream manufacturers must prepare for supply chain disruptions and shift procurement strategies toward locally processed concentrates as Zimbabwe enforces domestic value-addition requirements.

5 Apr 2026, 04:52france24.comZimbabwe

US BIS Renews Temporary Denial of Export Privileges for Aviastar-TU

The US Bureau of Industry and Security has renewed the temporary denial of export privileges for Russian cargo airline Aviastar-TU for an additional year, effective March 31, 2026. Companies must maintain strict screening protocols to ensure no EAR-controlled items are provided to the denied entity, as violations carry significant enforcement and reputational risks.

2 Apr 2026, 09:33govinfo.govUnited StatesRussia

Vietnam Draft Foreign Trade Decree Adds E‑Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products to Prohibited Import and Export List

Vietnam is proposing to ban the import and export of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, with a WTO comment deadline of April 15, 2026. This measure signals a total market closure for these nicotine delivery systems, requiring immediate supply chain and market access reassessment for affected manufacturers.

1 Apr 2026, 18:25members.wto.orgVietnam

France: National Assembly Adopts Bill to Ban Added Sugars in Infant and Young Child Foods

The French National Assembly has adopted a bill to ban added sugars in foods for infants and young children, effective January 1, 2028. Manufacturers must initiate product reformulations and monitor forthcoming ministerial orders that will define specific exemptions and permissible sugar levels.

1 Apr 2026, 14:42assemblee-nationale.frFrance

Romania Issues Joint Order on Prior Approval for Diesel and Crude Oil Export and Intra-Community Supply

Romania has implemented a mandatory prior-approval procedure for diesel and crude oil exports and EU supplies, effective immediately under Joint Order 481/1430/2026. This introduces significant administrative hurdles and potential supply chain disruptions for energy companies, signaling a shift toward national resource protectionism during energy crises.

1 Apr 2026, 14:32energie.gov.roRomania

Norway Implements EU 19th Sanctions Package Against Russia

Norway has implemented the EU’s 19th sanctions package, imposing immediate and phased restrictions on Russian LNG, chemicals, electronics, and industrial goods. Impacted firms must urgently audit supply chains and update compliance screening to address expanded export bans and new prohibitions on energy-related services.

29 Mar 2026, 06:01regjeringen.noNorwayEuropean Union

UK Updates Statutory Guidance On Iran Nuclear Sanctions Regime

The UK government updated statutory guidance for the Iran nuclear sanctions regime in March 2026, clarifying prohibitions on trade, finance, and technical services. Businesses must ensure rigorous supply chain screening for restricted materials, including graphite and uranium, to mitigate criminal liability and civil enforcement risks.

27 Mar 2026, 08:08gov.ukUnited Kingdom

UK ECJU Issues Guidance on Export Licence Applications Under Defence Export Controls Agreement Articles 1–3

The UK has issued operational guidance for exporters to utilize the Agreement on Defence Export Controls (ADEC), streamlining licensing for collaborative projects with France, Germany, and Spain. Businesses should update internal compliance procedures to include specific application flagging and documentation requirements to benefit from reduced administrative friction and expedited approvals within these signatory markets.

21 Mar 2026, 19:09gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Germany Adopts First Act Amending High Seas Dumping Act on Marine Geo-Engineering and CO₂ Export

Germany has enacted amendments to the High Seas Dumping Act to regulate marine geo-engineering and enable the export of CO2 for offshore storage. This aligns national law with international protocols, creating a legal pathway for cross-border carbon capture and storage (CCS) while imposing strict research-only limits on marine carbon removal technologies.

20 Mar 2026, 15:53recht.bund.deGermany

EU Adopts Delegated Regulation 2026/55 Updating Mercury-Added Product Bans Under Regulation (EU) 2017/852

The EU has prohibited the manufacture, import, and export of specific mercury-containing monitoring and control instruments, effective from 31 December 2025. Impacted businesses must ensure high-precision measurement bridges and RF switches are mercury-free to maintain market access and align with international Minamata Convention requirements.

18 Mar 2026, 18:53eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Adds 16 Persons And 3 Entities To Iran Human-Rights Sanctions List

The EU expanded its Iran human-rights sanctions list on March 16, 2026, adding 16 individuals and three entities subject to asset freezes and travel bans. Compliance teams must immediately update screening controls and verify that no equipment capable of internal repression is being exported to the region.

18 Mar 2026, 16:06eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Bulgaria Proposes Temporary Export Ban On Certain Medicinal Products (TRIS 2026/0122/BG)

Bulgaria has notified a draft order to temporarily ban the export of critical medicinal products, including insulins and SGLT-2 inhibitors, from March to May 2026. Manufacturers and distributors should anticipate localized supply chain restrictions as EU member states increasingly use emergency trade measures to address domestic medicine shortages.

17 Mar 2026, 19:54technical-regulation-information-system.ec.europa.euEuropean UnionBulgaria

EU Exchange & Capacity-Building Group on Battery Materials (ECaBaM) Workshop Report Outlines Phase 2 SoC Study and Black-Mass Export Ban Signal

ECHA has confirmed the timeline for its Phase 2 study on substances of concern in batteries, with a final report due in September 2026 to inform upcoming EU restrictions. Businesses should anticipate stricter data reporting requirements and a potential late-2026 export ban on waste lithium-ion batteries and black mass.

16 Mar 2026, 15:52reach-metals.euEuropean Union

Estonian Health Board Reminds PIC Chemical Exporters And Importers To Submit Article 10 Reports By 31 March

Estonian authorities have reminded companies of the annual March 31 deadline to report export and import volumes for hazardous chemicals under the EU PIC Regulation. Firms must maintain precise internal tracking of substances in mixtures and articles to fulfill mandatory reporting obligations and mitigate risks to international trade operations.

14 Mar 2026, 14:04terviseamet.eeEuropean UnionEstonia

European Parliament DROI Hearing on Exports of EU-Banned Pesticides to South Africa

The European Parliament is intensifying scrutiny of EU-based pesticide exports to South Africa through a high-level human rights hearing on March 18, 2026. This signals growing political momentum for a formal EU export ban on hazardous substances prohibited for domestic use, increasing long-term regulatory and reputational risks for chemical manufacturers.

14 Mar 2026, 08:37europarl.europa.euSouth AfricaEuropean Union

European Commission Reviews Vision For Agriculture And Food, Highlighting Upcoming Pesticide MRL And Import Control Measures

The European Commission has confirmed a 2026 timeline to reduce residue limits (MRLs) for carbendazim, benomyl, and thiophanate-methyl to technical zero, effectively banning imports containing these substances. This marks a significant move toward regulatory reciprocity, requiring global supply chains to align with EU pesticide bans to maintain market access and prepare for stricter import-control audits.

14 Mar 2026, 07:47data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Pakistan Faces International Pressure to Enforce Mercury Bans on Toxic Skin-Whitening Creams

Global pressure is mounting on Pakistan to enforce mercury bans in cosmetics following widespread testing failures and high-profile consumer alerts in the US and EU. Manufacturers and retailers face intensified supply chain scrutiny and potential market access restrictions as regulators tighten enforcement of Minamata Convention standards.

13 Mar 2026, 07:34personalcareinsights.comPakistanUnited StatesPhilippinesEuropean UnionGlobal

EU Extends Arms Embargo on Zimbabwe Until February 2027

The EU has extended its arms embargo and restrictions on equipment for internal repression against Zimbabwe until February 20, 2027. Exporters must maintain rigorous compliance and due diligence for any equipment or technical services destined for the region to mitigate sanctions and human rights risks.

12 Mar 2026, 11:21eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Switzerland Updates Iran Measures Ordinance Annex 3 on UAV and Missile-Related Goods

Switzerland updated its Iran sanctions regime on March 10, 2026, expanding the list of prohibited goods and technologies related to UAVs and missiles. Businesses must immediately audit supply chains for listed chemicals, nanomaterials, and aerospace components to ensure compliance with new export restrictions and authorization mandates.

12 Mar 2026, 09:27fedlex.admin.chSwitzerland

UK Parliament Written Answer on Enforcement of Russia Dual-Use Export Sanctions

The UK Government is intensifying enforcement of trade sanctions on dual-use goods, utilizing the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) and HMRC to target evasion through third-country routes. Companies should anticipate heightened scrutiny of supply chain due diligence and export controls as authorities increase resources for investigating and prosecuting indirect sanctions breaches.

10 Mar 2026, 17:37questions-statements.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom