SERHIY TIHIPKO: IN SEPTEMBER GOVERNMENT WILL DEMAND THE PARLIAMENT ADOPT A NEW VERSION OF THE CUSTOMS CODE OF UKRAINE
Customs clearance procedures for express shipments need to be radically simplified says Tihipko

Press Service of Vice Prime Minister Tihipko, Kyiv, Ukraine, Fri, July 30, 2010
           
KYIV - Customs clearance procedures for express shipments need to be radically simplified, Vice Prime Minister Serhiy Tihipko said today during a meeting on Friday with representatives of express shipping companies [DHL and UPS, and with representatives of U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC)] and the management of Ukraine’s customs service.
 
During the meeting they discussed ways to resolve problems that hinder the work of international postal operators. In particular, due to complex and conflicting legislation, every day only 23% of express shipments are cleared quickly. A large number of permits are required to clear even a small package, often resulting in delays from three to ten days – something that is unacceptable in the express-mail business.

The Customs Service of Ukraine has already drafted the necessary decisions that would free international express shipments that are not subject to taxation of such mandatory permits, and consolidate the registration of such international express shipments using a register.
 
SOME NEW PROCEDURES CAN BE ADOPTED QUICKLY
According to Serhiy Tihipko, these regulations need to be adopted in the nearest future: “Mailings worth less than 200 Euros and weighing up to 50 kg should not be taxed and should be cleared through customs free of charge on the day of arrival.”

The Vice Premier also believes that not all express packages should be inspected, given that based on international practice of selective inspections, no more than 5% of shipments are inspected. The radical simplification of customs clearance is only possible after the adoption of a new version of the Customs Code of Ukraine, which has been in parliament for two years but has yet to be considered.
 
Serhiy Tihipko believes that finalizing and adopting a new Customs Code, which will radically simplify customs procedures, is a priority. 
  
LINK: http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/uk/publish/article?art_id=243563372&cat_id=243316861