Short answer. Philippine rules do not ban trade with Russia as a country, and some Russian products are officially cleared for import. But US, EU and UK sanctions can still affect your deal, mostly through the supplier itself, your bank and the payment route. Here is what applies and how to check it.
What the Philippines and the UN say
The Philippines applies targeted financial sanctions adopted by the UN Security Council, mainly related to terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. They are implemented by the Anti-Money Laundering Council. None of the current UN Security Council sanctions regimes is directed at Russia.
We found no Philippine law or regulation that bans trade with Russia as a country. Philippine agencies continue to regulate Russian goods product by product. For example, by Memorandum Order No. 80 of 23 December 2025 the Department of Agriculture lifted its temporary ban on swine products from Russia.
Where sanctions still matter
United States
The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) runs a Russia sanctions program with a list of blocked companies and people. Under OFAC's 50 percent rule, a company owned 50 percent or more by blocked persons is treated as blocked too, even if its name is not on the list.
Since Executive Order 14114 of December 2023, OFAC can also sanction foreign banks that conduct significant transactions involving Russia's military-industrial base. This is why many banks outside the US, including in the Philippines, check Russia-related payments carefully and may ask questions or decline them.
European Union
The EU has adopted 21 packages of sanctions against Russia and has extended them until 31 July 2027. They cover finance, trade, energy, transport and technology. They bind EU persons and business done in the EU, so they matter when an EU bank, insurer or shipping company is involved, or when your supplier is on the EU list.
United Kingdom
UK sanctions bind UK persons and anyone in the UK. The UK government also warns that non-UK businesses that help others get around UK sanctions face risks.
Product rules still apply
Sanctions are only one part. Every product also has Philippine import rules: FDA registration for processed food, accreditation and clearances for meat, BAFS or FPA registration for fertilizers, and customs duties for everything. See our pages on processed meat, fertilizers and equipment.
A practical checklist before you sign
- Check the supplier and, where possible, its owners against the US, EU and UK sanctions lists.
- Make sure the goods are not military or dual-use items.
- Ask your bank early how it handles payments to Russia and in which currency.
- Pay only the company named in the contract. A request to pay a different company is a warning sign.
- Confirm the Philippine import requirements for your product with the importer or a licensed customs broker.
- Check that the supplier is a real, active company. Our guide explains how to check a Russian company.
Want us to check a supplier for you?
An independent review of a Russian company based on public records, with screening against the US, EU and UK sanctions lists and a PDF report in English. From USD 29, payment by GCash.
See the company checkFound an inaccuracy? Please let us know at rus.import.ph@gmail.com. We check every report and update the guide.
Official sources
Checked on 29 September 2026. Sanctions change often, so check the lists again on the day you pay.
- UN Security Council, sanctions committees and regimes
- Anti-Money Laundering Council (Philippines), UN sanctions list and targeted financial sanctions
- Department of Agriculture (Philippines), Memorandum Order No. 80, s. 2025
- OFAC, Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions
- OFAC FAQ 1147, Executive Order 14114 and foreign financial institutions
- OFAC, entities owned by blocked persons (50 percent rule)
- Council of the EU, EU sanctions against Russia
- Council of the EU, EU sanctions against Russia: questions and answers
- GOV.UK, UK sanctions guidance for non-UK businesses
- OFAC Sanctions List Search
- EU Sanctions Map
- UK Sanctions List Search
Frequently asked questions
Do US or EU sanctions apply to a Philippine company?
These sanctions mainly bind US, EU and UK persons and business done in those jurisdictions. A Philippine company is not directly bound in the same way, but it can still be affected when it deals with a listed company, pays through banks that apply these rules, or uses insurers and shipping lines from those jurisdictions.
Can my bank refuse a payment to a Russian supplier?
Yes. Banks set their own compliance rules, and under Executive Order 14114 the US can sanction foreign banks that handle certain transactions linked to Russia's military-industrial base. Ask your bank how it treats Russia-related payments before you agree on payment terms.
Is Russian food allowed into the Philippines?
It depends on the product. Each category has its own rules and agencies. For example, the Department of Agriculture lifted its temporary ban on Russian swine products in December 2025, but imports still need accredited establishments, licensed importers and clearances.
Does a clean sanctions check mean the deal is safe?
No. It only means the company was not found in the lists on the date of the check. You still need to check the company itself, the goods and the payment route.
Is this legal advice?
No. This is a general information guide based on public official sources. For a specific deal, talk to your bank and, if the amount is significant, to a lawyer.