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e-Excise failures could cost the state budget up to UAH 500 million per day – EBA

03/ 04/ 2026
  Ukraine is set to launch the e-Excise system on 1 November. However, with only six months remaining before the rollout, the system has yet to enter a stabilisation phase and is not ready for full-scale functional testing. Instead, ongoing modifications continue, complicating business preparations for its implementation. This concern has been raised by representatives of the tobacco and alcohol sectors, as well as the retail industry. According to the State Tax Service, only 0.5% of the retail segment has been registered in the system so far, despite three months having passed since the start of testing. Businesses warn that in the event of system failures or downtime after launch, each day of e-Excise inactivity could result in state budget losses of approximately UAH 500 million. These estimates were voiced by member companies of the European Business Association during the expert discussion “e-Excise: System and Market Readiness”, held on 1 April. The business community fully supports the implementation of e-Excise and continues to actively participate in system testing, providing ongoing feedback to developers. At the same time, market participants stress that a number of critical technical and regulatory issues remain unresolved, calling into question the system’s readiness for launch within the established timeframe. Key technical issues highlighted by business Failure to finalise technical documentation as of 1 January Although the documentation was expected to be frozen, businesses continue to receive new releases and updates, making stable integration and systematic testing impossible. Missing elements of core system functionality, including: Incomplete integration of the Unified Register of Storage Facilities Not all storage locations are reflected in the system, and some entries lack structured addresses. Since this data is used to create economic operators’ objects — the basis for generating electronic excise documents (EEDs) — testing of key functionalities, such as product movement and EED exchange, is effectively blocked. Absence of a comprehensive register of production equipment To generate electronic excise stamps, the system must reflect registered production equipment. Currently, this list is incomplete, making it impossible even to print test pack codes for integration and system testing. Critically underdeveloped offline application The law allows operations for up to 72 hours in the event of system failure; however, technical documentation for the offline solution was only partially provided at the end of February. Mobile versions are still not ready for use, and installation is currently not possible. Legislative risks Participants also focused on the regulatory framework. During the development and testing of the system, inconsistencies were identified that require legislative amendments. The relevant draft law has not yet been submitted, creating an additional risk: even after technical integration is completed, some processes may need to be revised following the adoption of legislative changes. Market participants emphasise that for the system to be launched on 1 November, e-Excise must be complete, stable, and fully tested, with the legislative framework fully aligned. Businesses are calling for both the system and the regulatory framework to be brought into proper condition as quickly as possible to ensure a timely launch without risks for the state or the market. In particular, the business community insists on the following steps: finalising the system’s functionality; ensuring the possibility of full end-to-end functional testing across the entire supply chain. Nataliia Fesiun (Ukrtyutyun) stressed that the system is currently not ready for end-to-end testing due to ongoing technical changes, incomplete registers, and the absence of an offline application. Under such conditions, it is impossible to test production processes, logistics, and product movement to retail outlets. Manufacturers require at least 10 months of end-to-end testing after receiving a stable system, yet only six months remain. Therefore, it is critical to deliver a fully functional solution as soon as possible. Anton Yelisieiev (Pernod Ricard Ukraine) emphasised the importance of having a clear “Plan B” — an action algorithm in case the system fails or operates with limited functionality. He also noted that any changes or postponements currently require parliamentary approval, whereas greater flexibility for the executive branch would enable more swift response. Andrii Fita (JTI Ukraine) added that experience from EU countries shows that errors and adjustments may occur even after launch; however, this does not diminish the need to prepare the system as thoroughly as possible before 1 November. Mykhailo Poliakov (Philip Morris Ukraine) highlighted the need to extend the deadline for returning paper excise stamps, a view supported by other participants. The current six-month timeframe is unrealistic for businesses. The Association has long advocated for a minimum period of 12 months to enable a smooth and risk-free transition to the electronic system. We express our gratitude to Danylo Hetmantsev, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy, and Zoriana Stetsiuk, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, for their personal participation, constructive discussion, and efforts to identify solutions to the issues raised. The discussion also involved representatives of business associations — Ukrtyutyun, the American Chamber of Commerce, the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs, the Ukrainian Food Retail Alliance, Ukrhorilka — as well as experts from the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, the State Tax Service, the State Customs Service, and the “Ukraina” Printing Plant. Participants agreed that the successful launch of e-Excise requires close coordination between the state and business, as well as the timely removal of technical and regulatory barriers.
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Ukraine is set to launch the e-Excise system on 1 November. However, with only six months remaining before the rollout, the system has yet to enter a stabilisation phase and is not ready for full-scale functional testing. Instead, ongoing modifications continue, complicating business preparations for its implementation.

This concern has been raised by representatives of the tobacco and alcohol sectors, as well as the retail industry. According to the State Tax Service, only 0.5% of the retail segment has been registered in the system so far, despite three months having passed since the start of testing.

Businesses warn that in the event of system failures or downtime after launch, each day of e-Excise inactivity could result in state budget losses of approximately UAH 500 million. These estimates were voiced by member companies of the European Business Association during the expert discussion “e-Excise: System and Market Readiness”, held on 1 April.

The business community fully supports the implementation of e-Excise and continues to actively participate in system testing, providing ongoing feedback to developers. At the same time, market participants stress that a number of critical technical and regulatory issues remain unresolved, calling into question the system’s readiness for launch within the established timeframe.

Key technical issues highlighted by business

Failure to finalise technical documentation as of 1 January

Although the documentation was expected to be frozen, businesses continue to receive new releases and updates, making stable integration and systematic testing impossible.

Missing elements of core system functionality, including:

  • Incomplete integration of the Unified Register of Storage Facilities

    Not all storage locations are reflected in the system, and some entries lack structured addresses. Since this data is used to create economic operators’ objects — the basis for generating electronic excise documents (EEDs) — testing of key functionalities, such as product movement and EED exchange, is effectively blocked.
  • Absence of a comprehensive register of production equipment

    To generate electronic excise stamps, the system must reflect registered production equipment. Currently, this list is incomplete, making it impossible even to print test pack codes for integration and system testing.

Critically underdeveloped offline application

The law allows operations for up to 72 hours in the event of system failure; however, technical documentation for the offline solution was only partially provided at the end of February. Mobile versions are still not ready for use, and installation is currently not possible.

Legislative risks

Participants also focused on the regulatory framework. During the development and testing of the system, inconsistencies were identified that require legislative amendments. The relevant draft law has not yet been submitted, creating an additional risk: even after technical integration is completed, some processes may need to be revised following the adoption of legislative changes.

Market participants emphasise that for the system to be launched on 1 November, e-Excise must be complete, stable, and fully tested, with the legislative framework fully aligned.

Businesses are calling for both the system and the regulatory framework to be brought into proper condition as quickly as possible to ensure a timely launch without risks for the state or the market.

In particular, the business community insists on the following steps:

  1. finalising the system’s functionality;
  2. ensuring the possibility of full end-to-end functional testing across the entire supply chain.

Nataliia Fesiun (Ukrtyutyun) stressed that the system is currently not ready for end-to-end testing due to ongoing technical changes, incomplete registers, and the absence of an offline application. Under such conditions, it is impossible to test production processes, logistics, and product movement to retail outlets. Manufacturers require at least 10 months of end-to-end testing after receiving a stable system, yet only six months remain. Therefore, it is critical to deliver a fully functional solution as soon as possible.

Anton Yelisieiev (Pernod Ricard Ukraine) emphasised the importance of having a clear “Plan B” — an action algorithm in case the system fails or operates with limited functionality. He also noted that any changes or postponements currently require parliamentary approval, whereas greater flexibility for the executive branch would enable more swift response.

Andrii Fita (JTI Ukraine) added that experience from EU countries shows that errors and adjustments may occur even after launch; however, this does not diminish the need to prepare the system as thoroughly as possible before 1 November.

Mykhailo Poliakov (Philip Morris Ukraine) highlighted the need to extend the deadline for returning paper excise stamps, a view supported by other participants. The current six-month timeframe is unrealistic for businesses. The Association has long advocated for a minimum period of 12 months to enable a smooth and risk-free transition to the electronic system.

We express our gratitude to Danylo Hetmantsev, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy, and Zoriana Stetsiuk, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, for their personal participation, constructive discussion, and efforts to identify solutions to the issues raised.

The discussion also involved representatives of business associations — Ukrtyutyun, the American Chamber of Commerce, the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs, the Ukrainian Food Retail Alliance, Ukrhorilka — as well as experts from the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, the State Tax Service, the State Customs Service, and the “Ukraina” Printing Plant.

Participants agreed that the successful launch of e-Excise requires close coordination between the state and business, as well as the timely removal of technical and regulatory barriers.

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