The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on March 25 passed a law that allows customs authorities to confiscate international parcels if their contents do not match the declared data. The new rules will affect all international shipments. If the declaration incorrectly indicates the price, name or quantity of goods, customs will have the right to seize such parcels. Goods that are in the parcel but not specified in the documents are also subject to seizure.
Violators can be fined 30% to 50% of the value of the goods. The government justifies such measures by combating “shadow” import schemes, where entrepreneurs use fake declarations to avoid taxes.
In January, the head of the parliamentary committee on finance, tax and customs policy, Danylo Hetmantsev, submitted bills on taxation of parcel imports. According to these initiatives, goods from foreign marketplaces will be subject to VAT regardless of their value. According to him, these bills were developed jointly with representatives of business associations.
This is not the first time that control over international shipments has been tightened. Previously, Ukraine reduced the tax-free limit for parcels, which caused a wave of criticism from consumers. Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko explained such actions by saying that “shadow” businesses were using the old rules to evade taxes.
The new legislation could significantly change the situation with international purchases in Ukraine. Increased control over parcels will allow to block channels of illegal import, but at the same time it may make life more difficult for ordinary consumers. The introduction of stricter rules may lead to delays in parcel delivery and additional financial costs for recipients.
Despite the government's intentions to tighten controls, it remains an open question whether ordinary citizens who order goods for personal use will be affected by this law. Experts are already predicting an increase in appeals of confiscations and fines, as well as further discussions about the balance between the fight against smuggling and consumer rights.
