Export of ammunition intended for civilian use to become subject to authorisation

The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a draft government proposal for an act on export authorisation for cartridge components and on acts amending the Firearms Act and chapter 46, section 1 of the Criminal Code. The aim is to prevent the export of cartridge components to Russia in particular. The draft proposal is being circulated for comments until 28 November 2024.

The sale, supply, transfer or export of arms and related materiel to Russia has been prohibited by a decision of the Council of the European Union since 2014. In June 2023, the Council adopted an amendment to a regulation to introduce new measures to prevent circumvention of the sanctions imposed on Russia.

According to the amendment to the regulation, the export of ammunition may only be prohibited if the components in question are subject to authorisation in the Member State. The legislative project has prepared legal provisions to make the export of cartridge components subject to authorisation. In addition, the Criminal Code would lay down provisions on a punishment for unauthorised export of cartridge components.

The aim is to complement the existing sanctions regimes and thus to ensure their full functioning.  
Inquiries:
Marja-Leena Härkönen, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 163 457, [email protected]