The USA bans exports of smartphones worth more than $300 to Russia and Belarus

The U.S. Department of Commerce has expanded export restrictions on Russia and Belarus. The new sanctions will affect more than 270 commodity codes.

Here's What We Know

The United States announced increased sanctions on the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The restrictions affect air conditioners and refrigerators priced at $750 and above, printers and smartphones priced at $300, hoovers and electronic scales priced at $100 and above, as well as coffee machines, fans, microwave ovens, toasters, dishwashers and audio recording/playback equipment.

The company will require a special licence to obtain an export/re-export permit, which will be approved on a case-by-case basis. The sanctions will take effect on 27 February 2023.

US authorities first banned exports of luxury goods to Russia in March 2022. At that time the restrictions affected alcohol, tobacco products, perfumes, clothes worth more than $1,000 (wholesale price per unit), electric cars, motorbikes, jewellery and engines for ships.

Source: Federal Register