Ukraine
UA
Osteuropäisches Agrar-, Industrie- und Transitland im Krieg; Getreide- und Stahlexporteur über Schwarzmeerkorridor, Donauhäfen und EU-Solidarity-Lanes.
Capital: Kyiv
Overview
Ukraine (UA) is an Eastern European agricultural, industrial and transit country whose logistics have been shaped by war since Russia's 2022 invasion. On the customs side it holds a DCFTA with the EU (upgraded since 29 October 2025) and a free trade agreement with EFTA (since 2012); clearance is electronic via the State Customs Service, and since 1 October 2022 Ukraine uses the EU Common Transit procedure (NCTS). Import VAT is 20 percent, with a reduced 7 percent rate on certain pharmaceutical and medical products. The main gateways are the Black Sea ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi plus the Danube ports of Izmail and Reni; civil airspace is closed, so air cargo routes via neighbouring EU countries. Overland, the EU Solidarity Lanes through Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania link the country to the EU; Ukrzaliznytsia's 1520 mm broad-gauge network requires a break of gauge at the western border. Main exports are grain, oilseeds and sunflower oil plus iron and steel; imports are dominated by machinery, vehicles and petroleum products. Key partners include Poland, Romania, Türkiye, China and Germany.
Mentioned countries
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Staatlicher Zolldienst der Ukraine (Derzhavna mytna sluzhba Ukrainy)Import system
Elektronische Abfertigung beim Staatlichen Zolldienst; seit 1.10.2022 gemeinsames Versandverfahren (NCTS/Common Transit) mit der EU und über 30 Ländern, mit einer Anmeldung und einer Sicherheit.
Export system
Elektronische Ausfuhranmeldung beim Staatlichen Zolldienst; Ausfuhren grundsätzlich mehrwertsteuerbefreit (Nullsatz). Kriegsbedingt gelten für einzelne Güter Ausfuhrverbote oder Lizenzpflichten.
Import VAT
- Einfuhr-Mehrwertsteuer (PDV) Normalsatz 20 Prozent
- ermässigt 7 Prozent auf bestimmte Arznei- und Medizinprodukte. Bemessung Zollwert plus Zoll plus Akzise.
Import documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Frachtbrief (CMR / Bahnfrachtbrief SMGS)
- Ursprungszeugnis
- elektronische Zollanmeldung
- ggf. Einfuhrlizenz oder Zertifikate
Export documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Ausfuhranmeldung
- Ursprungsnachweis (EUR.1 / EUR-MED)
- Transportdokument
- ggf. Ausfuhrlizenz (Kriegsrecht)
Origin proofs / FTA
Präferenznachweise EUR.1/EUR-MED und Ursprungserklärung; PEM-Kumulierung EU-EFTA-Ukraine. DCFTA mit der EU; EFTA-Freihandelsabkommen (auch Schweiz) seit 2012 in Kraft, modernisierte Fassung 2025 unterzeichnet.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Genehmigungs- und Verbotslisten u.a. für Waffen, Munition, Dual-Use und bestimmte Kulturgüter; kriegsbedingt zusätzliche Ausfuhrbeschränkungen und Lizenzpflichten unter Kriegsrecht.
Export controls & sanctions
Gegen die Ukraine bestehen keine internationalen Sanktionen; sie wendet selbst umfangreiche Sanktionen gegen Russland und Belarus an. EU-/US-Sanktionen gegen Russland beeinflussen Routen und Compliance.
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Europe) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Europe. Depending on the destination (customs union, VAT, product rules), steps and documents may differ.
Documents (typical)
- Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
- Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
- HS code / tariff classification
- Proof of origin / preference docs (where relevant)
- Transport documents (AWB / Bill of Lading) depending on mode
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Cargo airports
- Ziviler Luftraum seit 24.2.2022 gesperrt - keine kommerzielle Luftfracht (u.a. Boryspil/KBP geschlossen)
Seaports / access ports
- Odesa
- Tschornomorsk (Chornomorsk)
- Pivdennyi / Yuzhny
- Mykolajiw (kriegsbedingt eingeschränkt)
Inland ports & terminals
- Izmail (Donau)
- Reni (Donau)
- Ust-Dunaisk (Donau)
Road corridors & border crossings
- Solidarity Lanes zu Polen, Slowakei, Ungarn und Rumänien
- Kyiv-Lwiw-EU-Grenze
- Richtung Hafen Constanta (Rumänien)
Rail corridors
- Ukrzaliznytsia, Breitspur 1520 mm
- Spurwechsel an der EU-Grenze (PL/SK/HU/RO)
- Solidarity-Lanes-Schienenkorridore
Top trade lanes
- Ukraine-EU (Polen / Rumänien)
- Ukraine-China
- Ukraine-Türkei
- Donau-Constanta (Transshipment)
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
Aktiver Krieg seit Februar 2022: Angriffe auf Häfen, Energie- und Bahninfrastruktur, gesperrter Luftraum und Kriegsrecht prägen die Lieferketten. Versicherbarkeit und Laufzeiten stark beeinträchtigt.
Seasonal & weather risks
Kontinentales Klima mit kalten, schnee- und eisreichen Wintern; Niedrigwasser der Donau im Spätsommer schränkt die Binnenschifffahrt ein; Winterstürme im Schwarzen Meer.
Current logistics notes
Russische Angriffe auf die Häfen Gross-Odesas seit Mitte Juli 2026 stark intensiviert: Handelsschiffe beim Einlaufen/Laden getroffen, rund ein Drittel der Getreide-Exportkapazität ausgefallen, 4 von 13 grossen Getreideterminals haben den Betrieb ausgesetzt; Reeder meiden teils ukrainische Häfen. Ausweichrouten über Donauhäfen (Izmail, Reni) und Solidarity Lanes. NCTS-Transit und Landkorridore funktionieren. (Stand 2026-07-22)
As of: 2026-07-22
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Public holidays
| Date | Holiday | Type | Customs closed | Transport affected | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | New Year's Day | National | Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX). | ||
| Mar 8, 2026 | International Women's Day | National | Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX). | ||
| Apr 12, 2026 | Easter (Orthodox) | National | Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX). | ||
| May 1, 2026 | Labour Day | National | Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX). | ||
| May 8, 2026 | Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in WWII | National | Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX). | ||
| May 31, 2026 | Trinity Sunday (Orthodox Pentecost) | National | Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX). | ||
| Jun 28, 2026 | Constitution Day | National | Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX). | ||
| Jul 15, 2026 | Statehood Day | National | Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX). | ||
| Aug 24, 2026 | Independence Day | National | Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX). | ||
| Oct 1, 2026 | Day of Defenders of Ukraine | National | Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX). | ||
| Dec 25, 2026 | Christmas Day | National | Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX). |
New Year's Day
Jan 1, 2026
Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX).
International Women's Day
Mar 8, 2026
Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX).
Easter (Orthodox)
Apr 12, 2026
Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX).
Labour Day
May 1, 2026
Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX).
Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in WWII
May 8, 2026
Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX).
Trinity Sunday (Orthodox Pentecost)
May 31, 2026
Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX).
Constitution Day
Jun 28, 2026
Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX).
Statehood Day
Jul 15, 2026
Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX).
Independence Day
Aug 24, 2026
Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX).
Day of Defenders of Ukraine
Oct 1, 2026
Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX).
Christmas Day
Dec 25, 2026
Not a non-working day under martial law (Law 2136-IX).
Sources: KZpP Art. 73 / Gesetz 2136-IX
Airports in this country
Seaports in this country
Latest News
Sources & Data Confidence
Official sources
- customs.gov.ua
- tax.gov.ua
- efta.int
- ec.europa.eu
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
What is the import VAT rate in Ukraine?
The standard VAT (PDV) rate is 20 percent, levied on customs value plus duty and excise. A reduced rate of 7 percent applies to certain pharmaceutical and medical products.
Which customs and transit system does Ukraine use?
Clearance is electronic via the State Customs Service. Since 1 October 2022 Ukraine has joined the EU Common Transit procedure (NCTS), using a single declaration and a single guarantee across more than 30 countries.
How do goods currently move to and from Ukraine?
Sea trade runs through the Ukrainian Black Sea corridor (Odesa, Chornomorsk, Pivdennyi) and the Danube ports of Izmail and Reni; rail and road via the EU Solidarity Lanes. Civil airspace has been closed since 24 February 2022.
Is there a free trade agreement with the EU and Switzerland?
Yes. Ukraine has a DCFTA with the EU, whose upgraded version entered into force on 29 October 2025. A free trade agreement with EFTA, and thus Switzerland, has been in force since 2012; a modernised version was signed in 2025.
Why is rail so important for Ukraine?
Ukrzaliznytsia runs a broad-gauge network (1520 mm). A break of gauge is required at the EU border with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. A large share of foreign trade runs through these Solidarity Lanes rail corridors.
Is Ukraine affected by sanctions?
Ukraine itself is not under international sanctions. It applies extensive sanctions of its own against Russia and Belarus; EU and US sanctions on Russia affect routing and compliance.
What are Ukraine's main exports?
Mainly grain (wheat, maize), oilseeds and sunflower oil, plus iron, steel and ores. Imports are dominated by petroleum products, machinery, vehicles and consumer goods.
Which trade partners are important for Ukraine?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Ukraine?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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