Arranging the first delivery from the EU to Ukraine: what do you need to know?

Import from Europe: Where to Start?

Before organizing the delivery, you need to:

• Register as a subject of foreign economic activity (FEA) — this can be an individual entrepreneur or a company LLC.
• Obtain an individual tax number (ITN) if you are a legal entity.
• Open a foreign currency account in a bank to pay for goods under the contract.
• Conclude a foreign economic agreement (FEA contract) with a European supplier.

What documents need to be prepared for customs clearance?

After forming the cargo and preparing it for shipment from Europe, you need to have a standard set of documents for customs clearance in Ukraine:

Main documents for import:

• FEA contract with the supplier.
• Invoice — specifies the price of the goods, currency, payment terms.
• Packing list — cargo breakdown: quantity, weight, packaging.
• Transport waybill (CMR for road transport, AWB — for air, B/L — for sea transport).
• Certificate of origin (if necessary) — for example, EUR.1 or another document confirming the country of origin.
• Certificates of conformity or sanitary conclusions — if the goods are subject to technical regulation, veterinary or phytosanitary control.
• Customs declaration — issued in Ukraine, usually by a customs broker.

What documents accompany the cargo during transportation?

During the transportation of goods from Europe to Ukraine, the cargo must be accompanied by the following documents:

• CMR (international consignment note) — mandatory for road delivery.
• Invoice + packing list.
• Certificate of origin (if necessary).
• Export declaration from the EU (EX1) — provided by the carrier or the supplier's customs agent.

These documents are provided to the driver or carrier and presented at the border crossing.

Additional aspects to consider:

FEA codes — each product has its own code, which determines the duty, VAT, and the need for permits. They need to be correctly selected before sending the cargo.

Certification in Ukraine — some goods are not allowed to circulate without Ukrainian certification (equipment, cosmetics, food products). It is necessary to check in advance.

Customs clearance — payment of duty, VAT, and customs fees depends on the goods and is carried out after the cargo arrives in Ukraine.

Storage in a warehouse — if necessary, the cargo can be placed in a customs warehouse or temporary storage warehouse (TSW) until customs clearance.

If you are just starting to work with imports, it is better to contact an experienced logistics partner. Raben Ukraine offers a full cycle of logistics and customs services, including:

• Consolidated or full-load international transportation from Europe.
• Consultation on document preparation.
• Customs broker services.
• Own customs warehouse and TSW.

Importing goods from Europe to Ukraine is not difficult if you have a clear action plan and properly prepared documents. For the first import, it is worth contacting professionals who will help avoid mistakes and delays.

Raben Ukraine is your reliable partner in the field of international transportation and customs support.