Recently, the flow of people crossing the Ukrainian border in different directions has increased more than ever. Some are fleeing the war, others, on the contrary, return home, travel, visit relatives, travel for work – everyone has their own reason. Having traveled a long distance and stood in line at a checkpoint, many may find themselves in an awkward position when it turns out that everything they want cannot be transported across the border.
What can you import into Ukraine across the border?
The list of things and items is quite large, many can be transported for free, but some will have to be declared.
How much money can you carry?
According to the legislation of Ukraine, any imported amount is subject to declaration. However, if it is less than 10,000 €, you just need to report it to the customs representative orally, without paying fees or filling out documents.
If you are importing more than €10,000, you must have documentary evidence of the legality of the funds, as well as complete a declaration in writing.
This rule applies to all residents and non-residents of Ukraine. It is not necessary to exchange all available money for euros; the import of any currency is allowed. It will simply be transferred in accordance with the rate established by the NBU.
What products can be imported into Ukraine?
In general, it is considered that it is allowed to transport food products free of charge and without declaration, the total value of which will not exceed €200 per person. The number of packages, weight, pieces are also taken into account. Therefore, the list of allowed products can be as follows:
- Chocolate, any tea or coffee drink – 1 package (without specified weight).
- Potatoes, cabbage, onions, carrots, apples, pears and other vegetables and non-exotic fruits – up to 2 kg.
- Meat with lard – up to 2 kg, with the exception of certain varieties.
- Preservation – 1 jar, produced by an industrial method.
- Honey – 1 can, also excluding factory packaging, it can be homemade.
- Smoking – depending on the variety, so chicken can be taken 1 piece, sausage – stick or ring.
- Baby food – up to 2 kg.
- Sandwiches – unlimited.
Of course, it is difficult to have a receipt for each product that describes its exact value, so their general assessment can be done by the customs service “by eye”, relying on average statistical prices.
How much tobacco and alcohol can be imported into Ukraine free of charge?
Here, too, the calculation is per person, excluding minors:
- Soft drinks (such as beer, cider) – up to 5 l.
- Alcohol of medium strength, not exceeding 22% vol., it can be liqueur, cahor, wine, vermouth – up to 2 liters.
- Strong alcoholic drinks from 22% vol. – 1 liter
- Regular cigarettes with or without a filter – 10 packs.
- Cigars, cigarillos – 50 pcs.
- Loose or packaged tobacco – 250 g.
What goods and personal belongings can be imported into Ukraine without problems?
In order to assess the allowed imported items, their necessity for one person is taken into account, for a larger quantity, you will have to pay duty and tax. The approximate list of things that are transported free of charge is as follows:
- Clothes, underwear and shoes for personal use (may pay attention to signs of wear).
- Hygienic, cosmetic, perfumed products. For example, if we talk about toilet water, it should not be more than 500 ml, and perfume – 100 ml.
- Sports equipment or equipment – 1 set.
- Watches, musical instruments up to 2 pcs. Each.
- Wheelchair or baby carriage – 1 piece.
- Accessories, bijouterie, jewelry are personal – not new.
- Individual office.
- Equipment – not exceeding 50 kg, it can be 2 laptops, computers, mobile phones, 1 sound recording system, calculator, e-book, photo and video camera, TV.
In general, a lot depends on the type of transport, frequency of trips. Yes, when crossing by land, these are goods worth up to €500 and weighing up to 50 kg, provided that you were last at customs for more than 24 hours and did not cross the country for more than 72 hours. Otherwise, the permissible limit is reduced to €50 and you will have to pay 20% tax and 10% customs duty.
How much medicine can be sent to Ukraine?
Norms of permitted import are also calculated for the use of drugs by one person. For Ukraine, this is up to 5 packs of the same medicine for one person. If the medicines are prescribed, present the prescription issued in your name.
What can be exported from Ukraine
The conditions for importing things, goods, and products into the territory of the countries that are neighbors of Ukraine are practically the same, therefore, when leaving the borders of the state, you do not need to adapt separately to each state. However, differences are also possible.
How much money can be taken out of Ukraine
Without declaration, you can carry the same amount of cash as with us – up to €10,000. For those who like to use only bank cards, it is still better to have part of the finances in cash, this is recommended when crossing the border.
How many products can be exported?
Allowed for export:
- Up to 5 kg of ordinary vegetables, frozen fish.
- 2 kg of honey, pastries, baby food and animal feed separately for each person.
- Fruits up to 5 kg are allowed in Poland.
- Sandwiches are unlimited.
- Tea up to 100 g, and coffee up to 500 g.
- Cereals – up to 5 kg, but you need to specify, the rules may change.
- You can bring up to 5 kg of baby food into Hungary if you are traveling with a child.
- You can bring up to 2 kg of candies or chocolate to Poland.
The transportation of meat, lard and their products, as well as canned goods and dairy products must be refused (an exception may be baby food). In general, the estimated value of transported products should not exceed €200.
What things can be exported from Ukraine?
The total amount of personal belongings must not exceed the value of €300 for each adult and child over 15 years of age. For children under 15 years of age – 150 €.
- Clothes, shoes, underwear must be for personal use, new items must be declared.
- Jewelry, precious metals will have to be declared. You can send up to 5 pieces of jewelry to Moldova without any problems.
- You are allowed to take one unit of equipment and electronics with you.
- Medicines must also be calculated for personal use, strong drugs require a prescription. It is worth noting that each country may have its own list of permitted/prohibited complex drugs, so it is better to clarify it before departure.
How much alcohol and tobacco can be exported from Ukraine?
Exporting alcohol to Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia, and Romania is subject to the same rules as for Ukraine:
- 1 l – strong;
- 2 l – medium strength;
- up to 5 liters of soft drinks (beer).
For tobacco products, the rules may differ:
With the exception of Moldova, where you can arrive with ten packs of cigarettes, you can cross the border with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania with only two. For cigars, the limit is 10 pieces, loose tobacco – 50 grams, and liquid for electronic cigarettes – 10 ml.
What cannot be transported across the border?
Prohibited items and products include:
- Meat – fresh, semi-finished products, cooked, for example, sausages, canned food.
- Milk and dairy products – yogurts, cheeses.
- Pornographic, racist, incitement to violence and unlicensed material.
- Psychotropic, explosive substances, drugs from the prohibited list without a prescription.
- Monuments and objects of art, historical and cultural heritage without permission.
- Toxic, poisonous substances.
- Seedlings and animals without permission.
If you have exceeded the permissible norms for export/import, you will need to pay a fee, tax, and declare for additional items.