Belarus bans EU-registered trucking companies from transporting oversized cargo

MINSK. May 6 (Interfax) - The Belarusian government has banned European Union-registered trucking companies from transporting oversized cargo via its territory in addition to the previously adopted restrictions on EU-registered trucking companies, the government's press service said in a statement.

"The document introduces a ban on trucking companies registered in the European Union from hauling oversized cargo via the territory of Belarus," the press service said.

As noted, an exception applies to oversized cargo whose technological features do not allow for hauling to established locations for reloading or re-transferring cargo, subject to Transport Ministry approval, as well as to car hauling companies.

The government has increased from 14 to 17 the list of specially designated locations for reloading or re-transferring goods coming from the EU, and it has determined the list of filling stations assigned to the locations.

As previously reported, Belarus on April 16 banned EU-registered trucking companies from transiting and traveling via its territory in response to Belarusian and Russian trucking companies having been banned from transporting goods via the EU, including in transit, since April 8. The Belarusian authorities later clarified that as of April 16, cars and tractors registered in the EU could proceed via Belarus through checkpoints and only to specially designated locations for cargo operations and transfers.

According to Belarus, 400-600 European trucks cross the Belarusian border daily following the implementation of the travel restrictions on EU trucking companies.