Russia: Michelin Tyres & Sanctions – Imports Continue?

Russia continues to import aviation tires from French manufacturer Michelin through intermediary companies, including one reportedly based in the UK, despite sanctions and the company’s stated cessation of exports to the country following the invasion of Ukraine.

Michelin Tires Reaching Russia Via Third Parties

An analysis of customs records indicates a significant number of Michelin tires are still entering Russia, despite sanctions imposed on the sale of such goods. The country is critically dependent on foreign suppliers for aviation tires.

Shipments of Michelin tires worth $28 million were received in Russia in 2023, according to reports from September 2024. Between October 2024 and March 2025, Russia received 2,687 Michelin tires valued at over $7 million (£5.2m), data analyzed by the Economic Security Council of Ukraine indicates.

Sales in 2024 were facilitated by intermediaries, none of which are direct clients of Michelin. The company has closed all its commercial and industrial activities in Russia and maintains there is no wrongdoing on its part.

Deliveries appear to have originated from companies based in Turkey, Spain, Saudi Arabia, India, and a British firm named General Trade Solutions (UK). However, no firm of that name is currently registered with the UK’s Companies House.

Melaris LLC, the largest Russian importer of Michelin tires in 2024, was identified as a supplier to the Russian military-industrial complex.

Michelin stated it is “committed to scrupulously complying with applicable economic and financial sanctions concerning Russia” and has established internal processes to ensure compliance. The company asserts that none of the tires exported to Russia are intended for military use and has recently strengthened its compliance program.

A Michelin spokesperson acknowledged the continued circumvention of sanctions, stating that enhanced controls have reduced instances of diversion. However, the spokesperson also cautioned about the quality of data in reports, citing the risk of counterfeiting and false declarations.

The spokesperson further noted the unique nature of the aviation tire industry, where compatibility across aircraft models and a complex distribution chain involving multiple resellers exist.

Roman Steblivskyi, a policy expert with the Economic Security Council of Ukraine, urged Michelin to take a more proactive approach to prevent illicit re-export of its products to Russia through third countries, citing the superior quality of Western aviation tires and Russia’s continued reliance on them.

Steblivskyi also pointed out that Michelin’s duty of care frameworks do not currently address monitoring or preventing the supply of its products to authoritarian states like Russia, raising questions about alignment with the current geopolitical environment.

France’s duty of care law requires large companies to identify and mitigate risks to human rights, health, safety, and the environment across their operations and supply chains. Michelin stated that while export control and sanctions risks are not explicitly required by French legislation, the company has implemented and consistently strengthened its compliance policy to address diversion risks.