Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) amended the "List of High-Tech Goods Exported to Russia and Belarus" on January 4, 2023 by expanding the number of items covered under export controls to Russia and Belarus. It is also in line with implementing international cooperation and preventing high-tech goods from being exported for military use. The amendment took effect upon announcement today.

The MOEA amended relevant regulations and expanded the coverage of export controls against Russia and Belarus to comply with international cooperation and prevent Taiwan's high-tech goods from being used for military purposes. The MOEA added 52 items to the new export controls list that are primarily related to nuclear energy substances, miscellaneous goods and materials, chemicals, and machine tools.

The US, EU, Japan, UK and other like-minded allies have successively announced export control measures against Russia and Belarus since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Previously, the MOEA had expanded export controls against Russia and Belarus on 57 items in Categories 3 to 9 of the Export Control Classification Number (ECCN), including computer information, sensors, lasers, and aerospace items in April and May 2022, respectively. Taiwan added Categories 0, 1, and 2 of the ECCN, making the controls substantially equal to those of the EU and US, as well as in line with those of democratic allies.

The MOEA had held a discussion with industrial associations and manufacturers to exchange views on expanding export controls in late 2022, prior to the amendment. As for Taiwanese SMEs that focus on the Russian and Belarusian markets, the Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) and Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) had contacted and supported them in diversifying sales to other markets. In light of this latest amendment, the MOEA urges exporters to comply with export control regulations and conduct due diligence before carrying out transactions to Russia and Belarus.

The BOFT reiterates that applications for high-tech commodity export licenses to Russia and Belarus will be strictly licensed. The "List of High-tech Goods Exported to Russia and Belarus" for "Strategic High-tech Goods Categories, Specific Strategic High-tech Goods Categories and Export Control Areas" has been announced and is being implemented in accordance with relevant regulations. In license applications for export control, the BOFT will take into consideration whether exporters received payments prior to the aforementioned announcement, and whether end uses and end users are involved or not in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

The announcement and details about the export control items can be found on the BOFT's website.