Russia introduces restrictions on exports of gasoline, diesel fuel

Russia has introduced restrictions on the export of gasoline and diesel fuel from September 21, the press service of the government reported on September 21.

According to the government decree to that effect, the restrictions are temporary and begin on September 21 "from the date of its official publication," but the document does not specify the expiration date of the restrictions, TASS reports.

"The Russian government rules to establish, from the date of entry into force of this resolution, a temporary ban on the export of commercial gasoline <…> and diesel fuel <…>, from the Russian Federation including purchases made via exchange trading," the document says.

The ban applies mainly to gasoline and diesel fuel, but the government has introduced a number of exceptions. In particular, restrictions do not apply to supplies from Russia to the EAEU as part of indicative balances or protocols under intergovernmental agreements, export of fuel under intergovernmental agreements or as part of humanitarian assistance by government decision, transit of fuel, supplies to Russia’s military outside the country, as well as fuel to support the activities of Baikonur and Spitsbergen.

Restrictions on the export of gasoline and diesel will help curb "gray" exports, saturate the domestic market, and may also lead to an additional reduction in prices, an official from the Energy Ministry told reporters on Thursday. The ministry also stressed that the restrictions are temporary.