Canada disrupts attempt to export banned materials to Russia

Border officers in Montreal seized a shipment that violated Canadian sanctions on Russia.

Canada has disrupted an attempt to send materials to Russia in violation of sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine, an official said Tuesday.

Border officers in Montreal seized the shipment, described as “dual-use goods” banned from export to Russia under Canada’s sanctions regime.

The shipment was one of more than a dozen with “suspected links to Russian entities” that the Canada Border Services Agency said had resulted in action.

But it appears to be Canada’s first seizure of goods heading for Russia since sanctions were put in place earlier this year in response to the Ukraine war.

CBSA spokesperson Judith Gadbois-St-Cyr said the shipment was detected last month and seized for lacking the proper export permits.

“The agency can confirm it has seized one prohibited shipment destined to Russia as a result of risk assessment and referral by CBSA counter-proliferation officials,” she said.

“The shipment was detained and the CBSA consulted with Global Affairs Canada experts who confirmed that the export of a component in the shipment was prohibited.”

The item was on Canada’s Restricted Goods and Technologies List, which sets out materials banned from export to Russia.