European Union: Export Controls & Trade & Investment Sanctions

RAM prices have surged over 500% since October 2025, driven by AI data centres consuming global memory chip supplies. This analysis examines the contractual implications for enterprises with multi-year hardware agreements, exploring price adjustment mechanisms, specification flexibility, and termination rights when market conditions shift dramatically.

The Bureau for Investment Screening has released its 2025 annual report, revealing a continued rise in investment notifications amid heightened geopolitical tensions and global competition for critical technologies. With 91 investigations conducted and new enforcement actions taken, including the first administrative fine for non-compliance, the report highlights the evolving landscape of Dutch economic security measures and the expanding scope of the Vifo Act.

Latvia's Customs Service has released enforcement statistics revealing hundreds of sanctions violations detected in the first quarter of 2026, including stopped shipments to Russia and Belarus, prevented cash exports, and initiated criminal prosecutions. The data provides insight into the scale and nature of sanctions evasion attempts being intercepted at Latvia's borders.

A shadow fleet tanker seized in French waters has been released after its owner admitted falsifying the vessel's flag registration and paid a fine in a Marseilles court. The case highlights ongoing enforcement actions against vessels attempting to circumvent international sanctions through deceptive maritime practices.

A Paris court has delivered its verdict in the landmark Lafarge prosecution, convicting the French cement company and eight former executives of terrorist financing and sanctions violations related to operations in Syria. The case resulted in substantial fines for the company and prison sentences ranging from 18 months to seven years for the convicted executives, with several defendants already signaling their intent to appeal.

Poland’s National Tax Administration has fined a company based in Małopolska and run by Belarusian citizens PLN 20,000,000 – or approximately €4,726,000.

It is being reported that the Spanish authorities are bringing a criminal prosecution for suspected exports of military aircraft engines to Russia in breach of the EU's sanctions.

On Thursday the Swedish authorities seized the oil tanker the Sea Owl I, in Swedish water.

It is being reported (originally here behind a paywall, and here) that Portugal’s Tax and Customs Authority currently has ongoing investigations into possible breaches and/or circumvention of the EU’s Russian sanctions.