Combating Smuggling: New Initiatives for Ukrainian Business

12/ 09/ 2024

On September 9, experts from the European Business Association joined the Ukrainian Business Council conference How to De-shadow Retail Trade and Minimize Smuggling in Ukraine?. The discussions included the results of a study evaluating the share of shadow trade in excisable goods, as well as in technology and jewelry, identifying key gaps that enable the emergence of gray schemes, and developing proposals to address them. We are pleased to note positive dynamics, particularly in the tobacco sector and fiscalization. There has been an increase in the number of registered receipts for the sale of goods and services, leading to a significant rise in tax revenues. The important draft law No. 11416-d, on which both the government and business continue to work, was also discussed. Effective combat against smuggling and tax evasion, rather than merely increasing taxes on legitimate businesses, is a crucial source of budget revenue. The difficult issue of eliminating the VAT exemption limit for goods sent via express and postal deliveries, as well as in accompanying baggage, was also discussed. This remains the largest legislative gap, creating conditions for so-called gray smuggling. While it represents a “hole” in the budget, it could also become a significant source of additional income for the State Budget of Ukraine. According to experts from the Ministry of Economy, the shadow sector accounts for up to 40% of the economy, which amounts to the same UAH 500 billion that our budget urgently needs. The Association has already provided its position supporting the government’s initiative aimed at combating smuggling. On this matter, we share a common position.

On September 9, experts from the European Business Association joined the Ukrainian Business Council conference “How to De-shadow Retail Trade and Minimize Smuggling in Ukraine?”. The discussions included the results of a study evaluating the share of shadow trade in excisable goods, as well as in technology and jewelry, identifying key gaps that enable the emergence of “gray” schemes, and developing proposals to address them.

We are pleased to note positive dynamics, particularly in the tobacco sector and fiscalization. There has been an increase in the number of registered receipts for the sale of goods and services, leading to a significant rise in tax revenues. The important draft law No. 11416-d, on which both the government and business continue to work, was also discussed. Effective combat against smuggling and tax evasion, rather than merely increasing taxes on legitimate businesses, is a crucial source of budget revenue.

The difficult issue of eliminating the VAT exemption limit for goods sent via express and postal deliveries, as well as in accompanying baggage, was also discussed. This remains the largest legislative gap, creating conditions for so-called gray smuggling. While it represents a “hole” in the budget, it could also become a significant source of additional income for the State Budget of Ukraine. According to experts from the Ministry of Economy, the shadow sector accounts for up to 40% of the economy, which amounts to the same UAH 500 billion that our budget urgently needs. The Association has already provided its position supporting the government’s initiative aimed at combating smuggling. On this matter, we share a common position.