The United Kingdom has excluded Nigeria from tougher verification rules introduced under its latest sanctions on fuel linked to Russian crude, according to updated guidance reviewed by analysts.
The new policy, which took effect on May 20, is designed to block the so-called refining route used to turn crude oil from Russian Federation into refined products like petrol and diesel before exporting them to Western markets.
Under the revised framework, imports of refined fuels such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, naphtha, lubricants and other oil products made from Russian crude are restricted. However, Nigeria has been placed among countries exempted from stricter documentation requirements.
According to trade data referenced by the International Energy Agency and analysed in a report by S&P Global, 63 net oil-exporting countries were granted exemptions. These include major producers such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Libya, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria.
For exempt countries, UK authorities will not routinely demand detailed proof of crude origin unless there are specific concerns that shipments may violate the rules. Customs officials can still request verification if they suspect non-compliance.
The UK measures follow a similar approach already adopted by the European Union, aimed at tightening enforcement against indirect imports of Russian-origin fuel while avoiding disruptions in global supply chains.
Officials also said refiners in exempt countries can continue exporting fuel to the UK if they are able to clearly separate Russian crude from non-Russian sources during storage, transport, and refining processes.
Where such separation is not possible, exporters may need to prove that their facilities did not process Russian crude for at least 60 days before shipment.
The updated rules are expected to have a bigger impact on countries such as India and Turkey, which have increased imports of discounted Russian crude since the Russia-Ukraine war began and have become key suppliers of refined fuels to Europe.
Despite tightening enforcement, the UK has maintained temporary waivers for diesel and jet fuel imports due to supply concerns, especially amid global market disruptions.
Energy data also shows that the UK has been relying more heavily on imports from the United States in recent months, alongside continued supplies from Middle Eastern producers.
