UK sanctions relating to the Republic of Belarus
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-18)

This page provides guidance on the UK’s sanctions regime relating to the Republic of Belarus

The Republic of Belarus sanctions regime

Statutory Guidance on the Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/republic-of-belarus-sanctions-guidance)

The Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/600/introduction/made) came fully into force on 31 December 2020. They are intended to ensure that certain sanctions measures relating to the Republic of Belarus continue to operate effectively.

You should also review the following regulations to find out any amendments made to the Regulations:
- Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/590/contents/made)
- the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/951/contents/made)
- the Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/1146/contents/made)
- the Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/748/contents/made) and
- the Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/616/contents/made)
This sanctions regime is aimed at encouraging the Government of Belarus to:
- respect democratic principles and institutions and the separation of powers and the rule of law in Belarus
- refrain from actions, policies or activities which repress civil society in Belarus
- properly investigate and institute criminal proceedings against the persons responsible for the disappearances of Yury Zakharanka, Viktar Hanchar, Anatol Krasouski and Dzmitry Zavadski
- comply with international human rights law and respect human rights
- cease actions destabilising Ukraine or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty, or independence of Ukraine, including by supporting or facilitating Russia’s actions in respect of Ukraine; and
- refrain from any other action that undermines or threatens peace, security or stability in Europe.
These regulations have replaced, with substantially the same effect, relevant existing EU legislation and related UK regulations.

Those persons who are designated under this regime are included on the UK sanctions list (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-sanctions-list).

Find out more about other UK sanctions regimes (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-sanctions-regimes-under-the-sanctions-act).

Contact details

For timely notifications about all new and updated designations, sanctions announcements, and updates on sanctions guidance, sign up to get UK sanctions email alerts (https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKORGESO/subscriber/new).

For further information on financial sanctions: contact the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation on xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

For further information on export controls and trade sanctions relating to the export of goods and provision of ancillary services: contact the Export Joint Control Unit (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/export-control-joint-unit).

For further information on trade sanctions relating to the provision of professional and business services and other standalone services: contact the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) (https://submit.forms.service.gov.uk/form/3576/contact-otsi).

For further information on import controls: contact the Department for Business and Trade (DBT)’s Import Licensing Branch on xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

For further information on transport sanctions, contact the Department for Transport on xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

For general information on sanctions: contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s Sanctions Directorate on xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).