Belarus extends ban on importing Skoda, Liqui Moly, Beiersdorf products for another year

MINSK. Dec 24 (Interfax) - The Belarusian government has extended a ban introduced in spring 2021 on importing Skoda, Liqui Moly and Beiersdorf products to the end of 2025.

Beiersdorf owns the Nivea trademark.

"The validity of points 2 and 4 of Belarusian government resolution no. 240 dated April 23, 2021, is to be extended to December 31, 2025 inclusive," a government resolution published on the country's National Legal Portal said.

Resolution no. 240, approved "to ensure protection of national interests in view of the unfriendly actions towards the Belarusian people," established a list of products made by Beiersdorf, Skoda Auto and Liqui Moly which are banned from being imported or sold in Belarus, as well as the cases where the ban does not apply. The ban does not cover products that are imported for personal use as well as vehicles registered in Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries or temporarily imported onto the EAEU's custom's territory.

The measures were initially introduced for six months and were then extended several times.

The new resolution will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Beiersdorf, Skoda and Liqui Moly previously refused to sponsor the world hockey championship in Belarus due to the political situation in the country following the 2020 presidential election. The championship was due to be held in Latvia and Belarus. The International Ice Hockey Federation later rescinded Minsk's right to hold the competition.