CJEU: Treatment does not justify cash exporting to Russia

The EU Court of Justice ruled on Wednesday that the German Customs Service had the right to confiscate 15,000. euro, which a woman traveling to Russia tried to take to the country to finance treatment. The CJEU decided that this action was in line with the ban on the export of cash to Russia imposed as part of the sanction.

During check -in at the airport in Frankfurt am Main, it turned out that a woman traveling to Russia had 15,000 with her. euro in cash. Sanctions imposed in connection with Russian aggression on Ukraine do not allow banknotes to export to Russia in any currency used in the EU member countries, but the woman argued that she needed money for treatment.

It was – as we read in the CJEU announcement – for dental treatment, hormonal treatment at the clinic of infertility treatment and supplementary treatment after breast surgery at the Plastic Surgery Clinic.

German customs officers took cash, leaving the woman only 1 thousand. euro to cover travel costs. Criminal proceedings were also initiated against the passenger. The German court, before which it goes on, directed the question to the CJEU whether treatment is an exception to the ban on cash to be exported to Russia. The ban does not apply to the amounts necessary to cover travel costs.

The CJEU decided that treatment is not the export necessary for the personal use of the passenger, and therefore it does not include an exception to the ban.

“The European Union has not limited the right to travel to Russia, so this exception is only aimed at providing the traveler with money necessary for travel and stay. Meanwhile, treatment such as considered in the present case does not meet the needs of travel or stay” – reads the CJEU.

The final judgment in this case will be issued by a German court.

From Brussels Magdalena Cedro (PAP)

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