At the Terehova border crossing between Latvia and Russia, customs officers inspect trucks daily for violations of EU sanctions against Russia. Their checks focus on prohibited luxury goods, military equipment and hidden cash.

Since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022, controls have become significantly stricter. Latvian customs officials have said they regularly uncover attempts to bypass sanctions through false cargo declarations or transit routes.

Seized goods worth millions of euros are stored in state warehouses, as Latvia emphasizes its role in protecting the EU's external border.