EBA Customs Committee met with Kyiv Customs

21/ 02/ 2025

Listen to online Stop   On 18 February, a working meeting was held between representatives of Kyiv Customs and member companies of the European Business Association’s Customs Committee. The participants discussed current customs clearance issues and possible solutions. Kyiv Customs was represented by the Head of Customs, Serhii Siliuk, his deputies, and heads of relevant departments. During the meeting, participants examined both local challenges in the customs clearance process and broader issues requiring comprehensive solutions. In particular, companies benefiting from transit simplifications raised the issue of conducting official state control measures on products without the need to visit a customs terminal. Additionally, the need for an IT solution at the State Customs Service level was discussed. This solution would allow companies with relevant simplifications to automatically notify customs inspectors about the arrival and unloading of goods via the electronic Single Window for International Trade without involving customs brokers. Special attention was given to the practical application of Ukraine’s Law No. 3817-IX on licensing business activities in the production, trade, storage, and circulation of fuel. A specific case was highlighted to demonstrate the necessity of obtaining licences for the import of liquefied gas for construction tools. Kyiv Customs also approached the State Customs Service with an initiative to escalate the issue to the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine. Furthermore, customs specialists provided clarifications on the actions companies should take in case of losing primary documents, particularly due to military actions, and the possibility of considering these circumstances during document audits. In such cases, a company must notify the controlling authorities (Customs and Tax Services) within five days of the loss, providing the relevant information. Upon receiving a response, the company has 90 days, as per the Tax Code, to restore the primary documents. The discussion also touched upon the reinstatement of preferential origin certificates under the Pan-Euro-Med (PEM) Convention. Participants reviewed the implications of making amendments to the customs declaration after receiving documents on preferential origin from EU customs authorities under the updated PEM Convention, particularly when these documents are submitted after the goods have already been exported. Meeting participants were informed that the Ministry of Economy has already prepared and submitted to Parliament a draft law introducing a transition period for the old and new rules of origin under the PEM framework. The EBA expresses its gratitude to Serhii Siliuk and representatives of Kyiv Customs for their willingness to engage in open dialogue with the business community. The business sector hopes for a swift resolution of key issues and productive cooperation.

On 18 February, a working meeting was held between representatives of Kyiv Customs and member companies of the European Business Association’s Customs Committee. The participants discussed current customs clearance issues and possible solutions. Kyiv Customs was represented by the Head of Customs, Serhii Siliuk, his deputies, and heads of relevant departments.

During the meeting, participants examined both local challenges in the customs clearance process and broader issues requiring comprehensive solutions. In particular, companies benefiting from transit simplifications raised the issue of conducting official state control measures on products without the need to visit a customs terminal. Additionally, the need for an IT solution at the State Customs Service level was discussed. This solution would allow companies with relevant simplifications to automatically notify customs inspectors about the arrival and unloading of goods via the electronic “Single Window for International Trade” without involving customs brokers.

Special attention was given to the practical application of Ukraine’s Law No. 3817-IX on licensing business activities in the production, trade, storage, and circulation of fuel. A specific case was highlighted to demonstrate the necessity of obtaining licences for the import of liquefied gas for construction tools. Kyiv Customs also approached the State Customs Service with an initiative to escalate the issue to the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine.

Furthermore, customs specialists provided clarifications on the actions companies should take in case of losing primary documents, particularly due to military actions, and the possibility of considering these circumstances during document audits. In such cases, a company must notify the controlling authorities (Customs and Tax Services) within five days of the loss, providing the relevant information. Upon receiving a response, the company has 90 days, as per the Tax Code, to restore the primary documents.

The discussion also touched upon the reinstatement of preferential origin certificates under the Pan-Euro-Med (PEM) Convention. Participants reviewed the implications of making amendments to the customs declaration after receiving documents on preferential origin from EU customs authorities under the updated PEM Convention, particularly when these documents are submitted after the goods have already been exported. Meeting participants were informed that the Ministry of Economy has already prepared and submitted to Parliament a draft law introducing a transition period for the old and new rules of origin under the PEM framework.

The EBA expresses its gratitude to Serhii Siliuk and representatives of Kyiv Customs for their willingness to engage in open dialogue with the business community. The business sector hopes for a swift resolution of key issues and productive cooperation.