Minister of Finance Presented Draft of New Customs Code to the Rada

The document harmonizes Ukrainian law with European law, which is a requirement for joining the European Union and for receiving continued financial support.

Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko presented the draft of the new Customs Code to the Verkhovna Rada. He said it is intended to harmonize Ukrainian and European law at the meeting of the Parliament.

The adoption of the document will depend on 1,5 billion euros of international financial support for Ukraine, the minister said. The draft introduces European terminology and customs procedures and creates a special law enforcement subdivision of the customs service.

“This code also provides for a transparent procedure for challenging customs decisions and a full transition of the customs service to an electronic format,” Serhiy Marchenko said.

It is to come into force on 2028–th year.

Head of the Tax Committee Danylo Hetmanets added that the new Customs Code implements EU norms into Ukrainian law. The Committee proposes delaying some provisions, in particular granting powers to customs authorities to conduct operational-search activities. He added that the bill does not repeal any existing exemptions.

Meanwhile, deputy Dmytro Razumkov said that the bill includes provisions on parcels. As is known, the Rada is preparing to abolish preferential customs clearance for goods purchased abroad, as this is a requirement of international partners.

Further presentation of the code was interrupted by another air alert in Kyiv. After it, the deputies returned to discussion and carried out a signaling vote on including the draft Customs Code in the agenda. 220 deputies voted in favor with the minimum necessary 226. The Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada suspended today’s session, which was interrupted several times by an air alarm.