Latvijas Finieris Welcomes EU’s Crackdown on Illegal Imports of Russian Wood Products
15.05.2024
Latvijas Finieris supports extra tariffs imposed by the EU on shipments via Kazakhstan and Türkiye to address evasion of existing duties on Russian birch plywood. Published on 13 May in the Official Journal of the EU, Regulation 2024/ 1287 extends anti-dumping duties to birch plywood imports from Kazakhstan and Türkiye. It will have an immediate and retroactive effect following an urgent EU investigation confirming significant bypassing of EU measures on these products through the two countries. Duties are set at 15,8% of import value from both countries. The duty will be implemented for imports registered from the start of the investigation in August 2023.
Latvijas Finieris, as member of Woodstock, worked with EU industry leaders and associations to present compelling evidence of circumvention, prompting the investigation in August 2023. The outcome is today’s regulation against the first two countries investigated. Neither was previously known as a significant exporter of this type of plywood.
The swift imposition of these measures sends a strong signal that the EU is united not only in upholding fair trade but also in preventing illegal circumvention on now sanctioned conflict timber.
“I’m sure that the findings will trigger collaborative enforcement initiatives involving national authorities and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) to shine a spotlight on potential customs fraud, non-compliance with the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), and wholesale evasion of sanctions. Implicated operators, including importers, traders, and some end-users in the EU may face additional penalties as a result of these additional investigations and checks. Serious consequences and liabilities, enforceable under distinct legal frameworks – including criminal statutes in multiple EU countries, are set to apply to those engaged in such activities. We, as a company, will keep monitoring the market to spot any new evasions or circumventions of EU regulations.”
Mārtiņš Lācis, Board member of Latvijas Finieris.
Implementing Regulation 2024/ 1287 of 13 May 2024 extending the definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1930 on imports of birch plywood originating in Russia to imports of birch plywood consigned from Türkiye and Kazakhstan, whether declared as originating in Türkiye and Kazakhstan or not available here.
