When the UK Government announced on 15th March that it intended to ban exports of luxury goods to Russia and Belarus in response to the war in Ukraine, Walpole members moved quickly to comply – in fact many had already ceased operations in and trading relations with Russia, whilst working hard to support both Russian and Ukrainian employees through an unimaginably challenging time.
Shortly after that announcement and following several weeks of ambiguity around precisely how the sanctions would be enacted, Walpole’s Chief Executive, Helen Brocklebank, wrote to Mike Freer, Minister for Exports, to ask for greater clarity and detail on which product categories would be impacted by sanctions and we are pleased to be able to provide an update on that today:
Read an overview of the sanctions here and, for full product categories, visit this page and scroll to 'SCHEDULE 3A Luxury Goods'.
Additionally, businesses with enquiries relating to Ukraine/Russia can also contact the Department for International Trade’s Export Support Service helpline on (+44) 0300 303 8955.
With around 80 per cent of British luxury products being destined for export markets, the sector is frequently subject to punitive tariff actions and responding to Helen’s letter, the Secretary of State for International Trade, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, acknowledged “the significant contribution the luxury industry makes to the UK economy; and the important role of Walpole in promoting and developing British luxury brands”.
Looking on with shock and sadness as the conflict in Ukraine continues to unfold, Walpole and its members continue to be fully supportive of the global pressure applied to the Russian regime via these sanctions by the UK Government.
If you have any questions, please contact Charlotte Keesing at [email protected]
