Exporting Goods from the USA to Ukraine

The rules and regulations regarding the shipment of household items, personal effects, and private vehicles into Ukraine from the USA depends on the consignee’s relationship with the country, his/her intended length of stay, his/her visa, and the state of the items concerned. To make shipment procedures slightly more tolerable for importers, below are simplified guidelines.

On household goods and personal effects

Diplomatic foreigners may enjoy duty-free transport of their household goods and personal effects as long as they can provide a diplomatic certificate with a complete inventory of their household goods, proper packaging of said items, photographs and proper permits for cultural items, and diplomatic passports for clearance.

Temporary import of used items is usually duty-free for foreign, non-diplomatic residents. This is as long as the documents necessary for the import are complete. They include:

i. A copy of their passports (the page with the consignee’s photo)
ii. Valid Visa
iii. Ukranian registration for tax code
iv. Pro forma invoice (without insurance valuation)
v. Very detailed packing lists
vi. Separate list with photographs for items with cultural value (photos must be in two sets)
vii. CMR/OBL/AWB
viii. Notarized letter from the attorney allowing the customs agent to clear items in behalf of the consignee
ix. Immigration stamp (photocopy, for temporary imports only)
x. Employment certificate or contract (stamped, for temporary imports only)
xi. Work permit (for temporary imports only)
xii. Documents for antiques, carpets and other valuables
xiii. T6 Form or Customs Declaration Form

Temporary import allows the items to be imported into the country for a period not exceeding 12 months. Should this permit expire, all items will have to be exported. If any of them are missing, the consignee will have to pay full duties and taxes for the shipment or a part of it.

Final importation (permanent) may also be carried out by foreign residents meaning to migrate to the country or stay longer than one year. Returning residents may also do the same. However, final imports, even for used items, are always taxable and dutiable. The importation of any new items with commercial value is regulated. The consignee will have to get a special permit for this. For more information, consignees are advised to contact a representative from the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA before proceeding with the shipment. Wooden packages must also be heat treated, according to Ukraine’s standards, before they are allowed into the country.

On vehicles

Diplomats entering Ukraine may import a vehicle each duty-free as long as the setup is temporary. Usually the permit is for one year unless extended, for special reasons, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ukraine. The same documents are required as with household goods, but the vehicle must also come with:

i. Original registration papers (do not unregister vehicles in the USA)
ii. Original diplomatic passport of the consignee
iii. Proof of International License, usually provided by the Embassy represented by the diplomat
iv. A detailed description of the vehicle
v. Original commercial invoice of the vehicle

Non-diplomats need to provide the same documents but they must also present an employment visa. If they aren’t able to do this, full taxes and duties will be applied to the car. Only cars that are newer than five years old are allowed into the country. Unless the car has been in the ownership of the consignee, though, for a period of six months or more prior to importation, it will be taxed and liable to full customs duties.

All duty-free imported vehicles may only stay in the country for a maximum period of one year. Once the temporary import permit expires, hefty taxes and duties will be applied to it. Personal appearance of the consignee is necessary for clearance.

Private boats and airplanes are not prohibited for import into Ukraine, and they require similar documents for import, but the taxes and duties are bound to be heavier. Industrial and commercial vehicles and vehicle parts require specific permits. For more information on these things, consignees would need to contact the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA. The method is tedious, and the rules tend to change frequently which is why it’s better to contact the embassy before having these items shipped into the country.