If you are importing or exporting from Ukraine, you will most certainly have to deal with the Ukrainian Customs Service at one point or another. Unlike the USA or most Western European countries, where the majority of the Exports are exported without any taxes or duties, Ukraine still imposes duties on most products and commodities. For all Imports you will most definitely have to deal with the Customs services.

Although there are specific tariffs for all the items that are imported and the percentage of the duties are indicated therein, many times the descriptions are subject to interpretations. Therefore a good relationship with the customs officials is essential. For this we highly recommend the services of a good customs broker. If you are importing large quantities of goods on a regular basis, then you would be advised to have such a broker or brokers on staff. The monies you save on the assessment of good or fair customs duties will more than pay for a good broker many times over.

Be prepared for delays in clearing goods through customs. Even with good relationships and good brokers, delays in Ukraine because of the bureaucracy and the way officials work is almost guaranteed. This is one of the reasons why certain products such as fresh fish are so hard to come by. The delays wreak havoc with the products thus adding to their overall costs.

As with all other services, if you are importing or exporting, you will be eventually be asked to pay bribes in one form or another. Our recommendation - don't. You may import the goods under a special category, but if there is a problem, you may wind up paying the duty twice plus penalties. It's not worth it.


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