New general trade licences published under the Russia sanctions regime

Today, the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) has published two general trade licences under the Russia sanctions regime.  

The licences relate to UK involvement in the maritime transportation of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) to Japan and South Korea under specific, pre-existing contractual arrangements.  

Supporting diversification away from Russian energy strengthens long-term pressure on Russia’s energy sector. Japan and South Korea are close partners and important contributors to international support for Ukraine. 

Any persons intending to use either general licence should consult the licences for full details of the authorisations and conditions for use. 

Context for the licences 

Today, 1 October 2026, the UK is designating and specifying 31 individuals, entities and ships under the UK’s Russia sanctions regulations. This follows the UK’s introduction of trade sanctions on 20 May 2026 prohibiting the involvement of UK businesses in the maritime transportation of Russian LNG. From 1 January 2027, these restrictions will extend to trade carried out under long-term contracts concluded before 17 June 2025.  

What do the licences do 

The general trade licences provide a targeted and time-limited authorisation to support the energy security of the UK’s close partners Japan and South Korea, as they reduce reliance on Russian energy.  

The licences only authorise UK involvement in Japanese and South Korean imports of LNG where all licence conditions are met, specifically: 

• the imports are from the Sakhalin-2 Project 

• they take place under a contract for the supply of LNG concluded before 17 June 2025 

• they take place between 1 January 2027, when the relevant regulations take effect, and 31 March 2028 

The licences do not authorise LNG trade under new contracts or trade involving designated persons.  

Read the licences: 

• General Trade Licence: Maritime Transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) – Japan
• General Trade Licence: Maritime Transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) – South Korea

If you have any queries about these licences, contact OTSI using the contact form. 

Further information on UK sanctions against Russia is available on GOV.UK. For specific queries about the sanctions regime, email, fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk

OTSI’s website can be found on GOV.UK

The Japan license:

and the South Korea one: