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Hidden precursors in printer cartridges: the director of PROMARK was fined nearly 45 thousand hryvnias 🖨⚠️
An attempt to import thinners for industrial printers ended in litigation and penalties for the Dnipropetrovsk company PROMARK LLC. The reason was the failure to declare substances subject to special state control in the customs declaration.
This was reported by the Telegram channel “Sudom po skemakh” citing the decision of the Halytskyi District Court of Lviv in case No. 461/5530/26.
🕵️♂️ Details of the chemical incident
18 In March 2026, a declaration was submitted to the Lviv-North customs post for the import of a shipment of cartridges and ink thinners from the British manufacturer Cyklop Needham Limited addressed to PROMARK LLC (Kryvyi Rih).
The declaration was made by a customs broker based on documents provided by the manufacturer — invoices, packing lists, and safety data sheets (MSDS) — which stated that the products did not contain precursors above permissible limits.
However, customs officers decided to take samples and send them for examination to the Specialized Laboratory of the State Customs Service. The test results were unexpected:
• The chemical solution samples contained methyl ethyl ketone and acetone with a combined concentration of 69,4 mass %.
According to CMU Resolution No. 770, such mixtures fall under control measures as precursors restricted in circulation (List No. 2, Table IV), which should have been indicated during customs clearance. The total value of the detained goods containing precursors was estimated at 90 147,64 UAH.
⚖️ Defense and court position
The lawyer for the director of PROMARK LLC emphasized in court that the company acted in good faith. The business ordered goods strictly according to the specification, where the butanone content was not to exceed 79% and there was to be no acetone at all. The manufacturer provided official MSDS that made no mention of controlled substances. The defense stressed that the importer itself became a victim of the British counterparty’s misconduct and had no reason to doubt the official documents.
However, Judge Khrystyna Mysko rejected these arguments. The court noted that using manufacturer documents does not relieve the declarant (holder of the customs regime) of the duty to ensure the submission of accurate information. Failing to verify the product composition was deemed negligence.
📌 Court decision
15 In September 2026 the Halytskyi District Court of Lviv found the director of PROMARK LLC guilty of a customs offense under Article 472 of the Customs Code of Ukraine (failure to declare goods) and imposed:
• Fine: 50% of the value of the goods — 45 073,82 UAH.
• Disposition of goods: the seized goods were ordered returned to the owner (or authorized person) for mandatory export outside the customs territory of Ukraine.
• Additional costs: 1 529,21 UAH were recovered in favor of the customs office for storage of the property and 665,60 UAH for court fees.
💡 Advice from “Sudom po skemakh”:
The PROMARK LLC case is a classic example of how an official safety data sheet (MSDS) from a foreign factory can become a “trap” for a Ukrainian importer. Customs authorities and courts in Ukraine take a strict position: you are responsible for what is actually in the box, not what is written on paper.
• Check the chemistry before declaring: If you import complex solvents, varnishes, paints, or inks, require laboratory protocols for specific batches from the foreign supplier, not generalized safety data sheets.
• Preliminary sampling: If there is the slightest doubt about the chemical composition or the presence of explosive/precursor substances, exercise the right to a preliminary inspection and sampling with the customs authorities before submitting the final customs declaration. This will protect you from fines and confiscations.
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