Latvia approves import ban on books from Russia and Belarus

Latvia’s parliament approved a national ban on imports of certain goods originating in Russia and Belarus, with books, newspapers, and video games among the product categories named in the legislation.

The Saeima adopted the urgent amendments to the Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians in their final reading on July 23, 2026. The restrictions are intended to further reduce Latvia’s economic ties with Russia and Belarus while continuing the country’s support for Ukraine.

The amendments also cover sporting goods, toys, clothing, and footwear. The restrictions will apply both to products imported directly from Russia or Belarus and to goods brought into Latvia through third countries when their country of origin is Russia or Belarus.

The Latvian Cabinet of Ministers must publish the precise list of products subject to the ban. The new regulations also cover certain categories of goods that may be used to disseminate propaganda and disinformation.

The amendments will enter into force the day after their promulgation, while the import restrictions will remain in effect until July 1, 2027. The Cabinet will also be required to assess the ban’s effect on Latvia’s public security and public interests annually and submit its findings to the Saeima by March 1.

“These amendments are the latest tool to systematically reduce economic ties with Russia and Belarus while maintaining our unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight for freedom and independence,” Raimonds Bergmanis, chair of the Saeima Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee, said.

According to the Lithuanian news agency ELTA, citing Euronews, Latvian imports of the newly restricted product categories from Russia and Belarus totaled 12.5 million euros in 2025. This represented 6.5% of Latvia’s remaining imports from the two countries and 0.05% of the country’s total imports

On Jan. 1, 2026, Latvia increased the value-added tax on books and newspapers in Russian from the reduced rate of 5% to the standard rate of 21%. The reduced rate remained in place for printed and electronic publications in Latvian, Latgalian, Livonian, and the languages of European Union and OECD member states.

As reported earlier, Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry proposed expanding national sanctions against Russian and Belarusian citizens, including entry restrictions for cultural, educational, scientific, sports, arts, and entertainment figures who support Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Main image: pexels