Moving to Ukraine

IMPORT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS

For expat families, the process of moving to a new country, finding a suitable accommodation or good school for their kids is just one of the many things they have to deal with as they prepare to start life in their new environment. Managing the whole process alone can be stressful and time consuming, and so the help of relocation experts is highly recommended. At Move One Relocations we understand the importance of making a seamless transition when settling in your new destination, and are committed to making this possible.

For foreign citizens, moving to Ukraine, there are two ways to customs clear their shipments. The first way is to customs clear the shipment under conditions of temporary import free of duties and taxes. The second way is to pay the amount of duties and taxes based on the value of the goods. List of documents required for temporary import:

Provided by the owner of the shipment

• Copy of passport (1st page, visa, page with stamps after the crossing Ukrainian border)
• Copy of immigration card
• Copy of Ukrainian tax code and registration
• Copy of work permit (or accreditation card), stamped
• Confirmation of employment stamped and signed (copy of work contract stamped or invitation letter)
• Copy of lease agreement (if available)
• Notarized power of attorney
• Copy of client’s company’s accredited registration, stamped
• Letter to the customs from the company, stamped and signed
• Obligation from the client, signed
• Customs declaration (T6 form), filled out at the airport or at the border

Provided by the origin agent

• Detailed packing list in English
• Proforma-invoice stating the value of the goods for customs purposes only
• List and photos of items which require Ministry of Culture examination (paintings, antiques, handmade items, books printed before 1945, pieces of art of any kind, handmade rugs, musical instruments) describing year, title, author, country of origin
• A separate list for technique describing year, model and serial number
• List of documents required for import customs clearance paying duties and taxes:

Provided by the owner of the shipment

• Copy of passport (1st page, visa, page with stamps after the crossing Ukrainian border)
• Copy of immigration card
• Notarized power of attorney
• Provided by the origin agent
• Detailed packing list in English
• Proforma-invoice stating the value of the goods for customs purposes only
• List and photos of items which require Ministry of Culture examination (paintings, antiques, handmade items, books printed before 1945, pieces of art of any kind, handmade rugs, musical instruments) describing year, title, author, country of origin
• A separate list for technique describing year, model and serial number

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Returning Ukrainian citizens are able to import their belongings duty free in two cases only:

1. If the shipment has been temporarily exported before and content of previously exported shipment matches the content of the imported consignment
2. If the shipment is under value of 200 EUR

List of documents required for import customs clearance free of duties and taxes (in case of previous temporary export):

Provided by the owner of the shipment

• Copy of passport (1st page, page with stamps after the crossing Ukrainian border)
• Copy of immigration card
• Copy of Ukrainian tax code and registration
• Confirmation of employment abroad stamped and signed (copy of work contract stamped or invitation letter)
• Notarized power of attorney
• Obligation from the client, signed
• Customs declaration (T6 form), filled out at the airport or on the border
• Set of copies of the documents from previous temporary export
• Provided by the origin agent
• Detailed packing list in English
• Proforma-invoice stating the value of the goods for customs purposes only
• List and photos of items which require Ministry of Culture examination (paintings, antiques, handmade items, books printed before 1945, pieces of art of any kind, handmade rugs, musical instruments) describing year, title, author, country of origin
• A separate list for technique describing year, model and serial number
• List of documents required for import customs clearance paying duties and taxes (or duty free in case of low value under 200 EUR)

Provided by the owner of the shipment

• Copy of passport (1st page, visa, page with stamps after the crossing Ukrainian border)
• Copy of immigration card
• Ukrainian tax code and registration (if available)
• Notarized power of attorney
• Customs declaration (T6 form), filled out at the airport or on the border

Provided by the origin agent

• Detailed packing list in English
• Proforma-invoice stating the value of the goods for customs purposes only
• List and photos of items which require Ministry of Culture examination (paintings, antiques, handmade items, books printed before 1945, pieces of art of any kind, handmade rugs, musical instruments) describing year, title, author, country of origin
• A separate list for technique describing year, model and serial number

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Diplomats may import an unlimited number of duty free shipments. They need the following documents:

• Diplomatic passport or diplomatic card
• Embassy registration certificate
• Proforma invoice in Ukrainian (value, condition of delivery CIP KIEV, weight, number of pieces)
• List of items in Ukrainian
• Commission contract (as power of attorney) from the Embassy
• Letter from the Embassy to customs

All these documents should be in 2 copies and stamped with Embassy stamp

Notes

Valued inventory list for items intended for temporary import doesn’t have to be too detailed. For example, no need to indicate “trousers, socks, coats”, it is better to indicate “clothes” or “shoes”. Furniture has to be described by types, e.g. table(s), beds, sofa(s). Home electrical and electronic appliances should be very clearly mentioned along with their serial numbers. It is also suggested to declare a low value for items for temporary import. Valued inventory lists are for customs purposes and therefore the value does not have to be the same as used for insurance purposes. It is strictly advised not to enclose the list used for insurance purposes along with the shipping documents.

All the documents have to be received in advance, before actual arrival of the shipment. The wooden boxes which are to be sent to Ukraine must be fumigated at origin and have special markings.

Customs Declaration (T6 Form) – The customer should fill out passenger customs declaration (T6 Form) upon arrival at Kiev Borispol Airport / Ukrainian border and declare his / her unaccompanied baggage. (Article 2.2). These declarations are on tables in the arrival hall of the airport and the shipper should fill out 2 originals before going to customs inspection. He / She has to ask the customs officer to stamp them, one form will be kept by customs, and one should be kept by the shipper. The original T6 form will be needed for customs clearance and should be handed over to Move One’s representative along with the other documents requested for clearance. Often happens, that the shippers do not find this form at the airport and they just simply leave without it, but in this case customs fine must be paid at the time of clearance. Customs requires original forms. Also, the form cannot be obtained and completed after the shipper left the airport. If the shipper doesn’t fill out and stamp customs declaration, customs reserve the right to refuse to import the shipment with conditions of temporary import and duties and taxes have to be paid.

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The following items cannot be imported to Ukraine:

• Weapons and ammunition of all kinds
• Pornographic material
• Food, drinks and spices of any kind
• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Plants
• Drugs and medicine
• Toxic materials
• Radioactive materials
• Sand or ground
• Stuffed animals

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Only one car can be imported per shipper and it can not be more than 5 years old. All details about the car are needed (such as frame/chassis number, plates, age, engine serial number and size, etc.). Car can be imported duty and tax free only in the following cases:

1. If the owner is an expat, works in Ukraine officially with work permit/accreditation card and he/she is able to provide all the documents needed for temporary import of HHG.
2. If the owner is a diplomatic person

Apart from the above mentioned documents for importing HHGS customs requires the following papers for car importation:

• Original registration papers of the car
• Parameters of the car (year of manufacture, model, type, volumetric capacity of the engine, petrol or diesel)
• Car’s technical passport
• Invoice of the car or a value declaration signed by the shipper

Notes

The car has to stay registered at origin. De-registered cars can’t be imported to Ukraine duty free.

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In case of import of above mentioned items, a detailed list has to be issued and photos need to be made. The list should describe title, year of making, author, place of origin. Photos have to be made for each item separately and printed in 2 sets. Ministry of Culture checks the lists and checks the content of shipment during import customs clearance.

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EXPORT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS

Regulations, charges or restrictions may apply to household goods exports as they leave Ukraine and when they arrive at their destination country. Specialists at Move One Relocations are experts in local rules and industry regulations and will handle your transaction on both sides. At Move One Relocations we understand the importance of making a seamless transition as your foreign assignment in Ukraine is coming to an end, and are committed to making this possible.

Foreigners and Ukrainian citizens may export HHG from Ukraine in 2 ways.

Temporary export:

• Copy of passport, visa
• Copy of Ukrainian tax code and registration
• Work contracts (confirmations of employment) in Ukraine and abroad
• Notarized power of attorney to act on customer’s behalf
• Copy of client’s company’s accredited registration
• Letter to customs authorities
• Work permit in destination country
• Obligation for temporary export

Closing of temporary import (if the goods have been imported before):

• Copy of passport, visa
• Copy of Ukrainian tax code and registration
• Notarized power of attorney to act on customer’s behalf
• Copy of client’s company’s accredited registration
• Letter to customs authorities
• Reference from the company, which confirms that the client worked in certain company, paid taxes, had certain salary (should be indicated any amount) and earned certain sum of money (should be indicated) – with the company’s stamp and director’s signature

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List of documents to be provided by the Embassy:

• Proforma-invoice (stamped)
• Letter from the Embassy to customs authorities
• Commission contract (as power of attorney)
• Embassy registration certificate
• Diplomatic card of the client (copy)

Notes
All copies of documents have to be stamped with a company stamp.

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• Weapons and ammunition of all kinds
• Pornographic material
• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Food
• Plants
• Narcotics, drugs
• Toxic materials
• Radioactive materials
• Stuffed animals

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For export of a car exactly the same documents need to be provided which are requested for export of household goods, however besides the general documents the following additionals are needed:

• Car plates
• Original car registration
• Technical passport of the car
• Copy of driving license

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In case of export of above mentioned items, a detailed list has to be issued and photos need to be made. The list should describe title, year of making, author, place of origin. Photos have to be made for each item separately and printed in 2 sets. Ministry of Culture checks the lists and checks the content of shipment during pack out. Ministry also reserves the right to allow or forbid export of certain items.

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