International convention and customs procedures of Ukraine

International Conventions: Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Party to the Kyoto Protocol
Party to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Party to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
Party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
Party to the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls For Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies
International Economic Cooperation: Ukraine is a member of the following international economic organisations: Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM), IMF, Black Sea Economic Cooperation Zone (BSEC), WTO, Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC) (observer), among others. For the full list of economic and other international organisations in which participates Ukraine click here. International organisation membership of Ukraine is also outlined here.
Non Tariff Barriers: Non-tariff barriers include non-transparent standards, costly certification and cumbersome procedures for phytosanitary certification, and import licenses. The other important barrier to trade and investment in Ukraine is the country's difficulty in transiting from a planned economy to a market economy. Following economic reforms, the country experienced a relative success concerning export and investment. In the beginning of January 2011, the Government of Ukraine signed Order #971, approving a list of food products that require monitoring for genetically engineered or genetically modified organism (GMO) content.
Customs Duties and Taxes on Imports: According to the latest data from the World Bank, the average effectively applied weighted tariff stands at 1.90%, whereas the most favoured nation weighted average applied tariff stands at 2.73%.

Customs Classification

From June 2020 a new edition of the Customs Tariff of Ukraine is in force, which is based on the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System 2017 and the Combined Nomenclature of the European Union.

Import Procedures

Ukraine recently introduced the “Single Window” electronic data exchange system that allows customs authorities to automatically exchange information about the goods entering Ukraine, simplifying customs procedures and reducing the time for clearance.
After the importer submits scanned copies of the required documents (see below) together with an electronic communication, an authorized officer of the controlling body shall decide on the completion of the relevant state control or the need for additional review or other actions within four working hours after receipt of the electronic message and scanned documents. If no decision are taken, the system automatically forms a decision on the implementation of the appropriate type of state control.

According to the Ukrainian Customs Code the declarant or his authorized representative should provide in the customs declaration the information on:

Documents certifying the authority of the person submitting the customs declaration;
Foreign trade agreement (contract) or other documents confirming the right of possession, use and/or disposal of goods;
Transportation documents;
Commercial documents available to the person submitting the declaration;
If necessary, documents confirming compliance with non-tariff regulation of foreign economic activity;
Documents confirming compliance with the restrictions arising from the use of protective, antidumping and countervailing measures (if such restrictions exist);
In certain cases documents confirming the country of origin;
If necessary, documents confirming the payment and / or secured payment of customs duties;
If applicable, documents confirming the right to benefits for customs duties payment, full or partial exemption from customs duties under the chosen customs regime; and
If necessary, documents confirming the change of customs duties payment terms;
Imported products are subject to radiological control which is, in most cases, performed at the customs.

A Certificate of Origin is required when preferential customs duty rates are applied, when certain quantitative restrictions on movement of goods across the customs border of Ukraine are applied, and if it is required by Ukrainian law or international treaties.

Importing Samples

Ukraine recently introduced the Chapter 17 of the Customs Code of Ukraine defines the transit regime. The period of temporary admission of goods is set by the customs office on a case by case basis, but the general term should not exceed three years from the date of placement of goods under the temporary admission regime. Some goods temporarily imported to Ukraine require the issuance of guarantee in an amount equal to taxes and duties that would be otherwise levied when importing such goods. In cases where goods are imported temporarily based on ATA carnet, no guarantee is needed.