The Royal Association of Dutch Timber Companies (VVNH) has concluded that the ever-increasing package of sanctions against Russia and now Belarus have virtually halted trade and thus imports, including timber, from these countries.  Contrary to previous expectations, an export ban was imposed on March 2 for goods from Belarus, including timber and timber products. This ban particularly affects the Dutch packaging and pallet industry. The restrictions imposed on financial transactions with Russian banks, government agencies and state-owned enterprises, as well as the exclusion of almost all Russian banks from the SWIFT payment system, have ...