NEW JERSEY — Governor Mikie Sherrill sent a letter to New Jersey port and terminal operators on November 2, 2026, warning that importing Russian diesel violates federal law. The letter stated that such imports could carry civil and criminal consequences for those involved.

"Every port and terminal operator, intermediary, and buyer is on notice: do not help bring illegal Russian diesel into New Jersey." Sherrill pledged to use all legal and regulatory tools available to ensure the state’s ports are not exploited to advance interests contrary to those of the United States and New Jersey.

The governor characterized the recent authorization of Russian diesel imports by the Trump Administration through the Treasury Department as support for Vladimir Putin at the expense of Americans. "New Jersey will not stand by while Donald Trump supports Vladimir Putin at the expense of Americans." Sherrill said the administration is helping finance Putin’s war against Ukraine and a global campaign of violence and terror that endangers U.S. servicemembers abroad. "As a Navy veteran, I cannot let that stand unchallenged, and New Jersey’s ports shouldn’t be complicit."

The letter noted that Russia has dispatched multiple diesel oil tankers to the United States, with at least one potentially headed for the New Jersey coast. This activity follows the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the United States Treasury issuing General License No. 135 on October 9, 2026, which authorizes transactions related to the sale, delivery, offloading, or importation of diesel fuel of the Russian Federation.

The letter stated that General License No. 135 is a licensing action that significantly alters United States’ foreign policy with regard to the Russian Federation and can take effect only upon completion of a congressional review process that has not been initiated. Congress enacted the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act in April 2022, which bans importation of products of the Russian Federation classified under chapter 27 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, a category that includes diesel oil. The act allows prohibitions to be lifted only if the President certifies that Russia has agreed to withdraw its forces from Ukraine, a certification that has not been made.

The letter stated that under 19 U.S.C. § 1595a(b), any person who participates in an illegal importation shall be liable to a penalty equal to the value of the article. It further stated that the applicable statute of limitations for a violation of 19 U.S.C. § 1595a(b) is five years.