Estonia publishes statistics on sanctions imposed by the Tax and Customs Board

Since 14 October 2025, the Estonian Tax and Customs Board has begun publishing weekly reports on its activities, including the application of sanctions at various customs points with russia.

Based on these weekly reports, the detection of sanctions violations by customs officials leads to one of four outcomes: 1) import/export is prohibited without further action; 2) an investigation is initiated; 3) criminal proceedings are initiated for an administrative offence; or 4) a fine is imposed on the spot.

Based on weekly reports from mid-October, the following sanctions enforcement measures in categories 1-3 can be identified:

3 investigations initiated;

10 criminal proceedings initiated for administrative offences;

14 fines imposed on the spot, amounting to 120, 304, 600, 1600, 1600, 800, 80, 240, 800, 600, 800, 400, 800 and 2000 euros (a total of 10,744 euros).

These were mainly violations related to the transport of small consignments of luxury goods and euro banknotes.

In addition, on 18 August 2025, the Tax and Customs Board published a half-yearly report on the application of sanctions.

It provides the following statistics on the application of sanctions:

585,000 border crossings detected;

4,300 sanctions violations detected (according to the data, 1,000 fewer than in the previous year);

on-the-spot fines imposed amounting to approximately €93,000;

413 proceedings initiated for minor offences;

19 criminal proceedings initiated for more serious offences.

Source: European Sanctions Enforcement