Ukraine is in the top 50 largest importers and exporters in the world. China is Ukraine's largest trading partner. Chinese machines, electronics, vehicles, plastic items and more are imported into Ukraine. The import involves the work to pay duty, to comply with standards and to contract the transport of goods. How to conduct imports from China to Ukraine?

Imports from China to Ukraine – products
China accounts for 13% of goods imported to Ukraine. These products mainly come from Chinese provinces Zhejiang, Guangdong, Shandong and Jiangsu, as well as with Shanghai. Imports from China to Ukraine are primarily broadcasting apparatus for radio or television, toys and semiconductors.
Chinese products imported to Ukraine with the highest value are:
- telephones
- computers, laptops
- insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides
- semiconductor devices
- Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel
- monitors and projectors
- Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and akin wheeled toys
- human and animal blood
- rubber tyres.
How much is the work from China in Ukraine?
If you import between different customs territories, you are obliged to pay the duty. The work depends, among others, on the value of the consignment and the customs work for the goods concerned. Ukraine operates UKTZED codewhich is included in the customs declaration. The Ukrainian Classification of abroad Business Goods divides the goods into sections, divisions and groups, so each category of products has its customs code and a work rate assigned. Customs work is usually 0-20%.
To find a customs work on products imported into Ukraine, usage tariff browser or check Act on customs work of Ukraine.
Example of customs work on articles imported into Ukraine:
- homogenised preparations of tropical fruit (2007 10 91 00) – 10%
- gelatin and its derivatives (3503 00 10 00) – 10%
- soap in the form of flakes, granules or powders (3401 20 10 00) – 6.5%
- unbleached kraft or corrugated paper or paperboard (4707 10 00 00) – 0%
- raw silk, unwrought (5002 00 00 00) – 10%
- Base metals, silver or gold, platinum plated, not further worked than semi-manufactured (7111 00 00 00) – 5%
- machinery for the manufacture of boxes, boxes, tubes, drums or akin containers, another than forming (8441 30 00 00) – 0%
- keyboards (8471 60 60 00) – 0%.
Generating aggregates, transformer batteries and any another electrical equipment are temporarily exempt from customs duties and VAT.

What is the VAT in Ukraine?
Exports imported from China are subject to VAT of 20%. Imports of pharmaceutical and medical products are subject to a VAT rate of 7%.
Excise in Ukraine
Excise work shall be imposed on imports of products specified as:
- ethyl alcohol and another alcoholic distillates, alcoholic beverages, beer (excluding fornic acid)
- tobacco products, tobacco and tobacco substitutes
- petroleum products, liquefied gas (motor petrol, diesel)
- cars and another vehicles.
For more information see Article 215 on excise duty Ukraine.
Transportation of goods from China to Ukraine
Since both countries lie on the same Eurasian continent, 4 methods of transporting goods from China to Ukraine are available: by sea, air, rail and truck.
Imports by sea from China to Ukraine
The most popular way of transporting goods in global trade is maritime transport. This is the cheapest method of product considering distance and burden capacity. Ukraine lies on the Black Sea and has no access to the ocean, so it will be inevitable to overload the goods at any phase of the journey. Container with Shanghai port may sail to Ukraine for about 50 days. If you choose this mode of transport, don't forget insurance of cargo.
Air transport from China to Ukraine
Quickly perishable goods or with advanced added value are best transported by cargo aircraft. Air transport guarantees the fastest transportation and represents a lower hazard probability. However, this form of transport is expensive. In mainland China the largest cargo airport located in Shanghai. Air transport from China to Ukraine takes about 9 days.
Rail imports from China to Ukraine
Rail transport is simply a good alternate to the transport of goods from China to Ukraine. The time of transport is shorter than by sea and the rail freight is cheaper than by air. You can choose a regular way from Wuhan to Kiev or Guangdong state and a seaport close Odessa. Transit time by rail between the 2 countries is 2-3 weeks depending on the condition of the transport corridors.
Road transport from China to Ukraine
More and more transport companies are offering to transport goods from China to Ukraine via the road network. A immense advantage of road transport is direct transport of goods, so-called. door-to-door. The downside is simply a tiny burden capacity, up to about 60 tons. Road transport from China to Ukraine takes about 2 weeks.
Looking for a freight forwarder? Deals of reliable freight forwarders for your shipment easy compare on ShipHub.pl.

How to conduct imports from China to Ukraine?
The importer entering the goods for free circulation in Ukraine must be accredited to the Ukrainian customs authorities. A customs agent may be hired to make a customs declaration and pay customs duties.
Imports from China – essential documents
The exact list of the required papers accompanying the goods that are introduced into Ukraine depends on the customs code according to the Ukrainian Classification of abroad economical Activities (UKT ZED). papers needed for customs clearance of goods imported into Ukraine:
- import permit (for certain products)
- accreditation card (to be obtained at the customs office)
- certificate of origin
- commercial invoice (bilingual or translated into Ukrainian) in case of preferential tariff rate
- transport note (sea bill) Bill of Lading, air Air Waybill,TIR for road transport)
- customs declaration
- trade contract with the Chinese side
- contract for the disposal of containers and packages
- package list(P/L, product specification)
- other papers (health and hygiene control; phytosanitary certificate; certificate of conformity; quarantine permit).
If the customs clearance is carried out on samples or items classified as gifts, a customs declaration, invoice and product specification shall be provided.
Important! Ukraine is not a associate State of the European Union and so Union standards (although most are harmonised with them) and CE declaration of conformity do not apply there. In order for products to be placed on the Ukrainian market, they must comply with the rules applicable to them (veterinary, phytosanitary, Ukrainian method standards, have certificates and certificates).
Import to Ukraine and martial law
Due to the introduction of martial law in Ukraine:
- Among another things, import procedures for the import of medicines have been simplified (registered medicines in abroad packaging and unregistered medicinal products with manufacturer's quality certificate) and protective clothing for defence units
- the requirements for labelling of food placed on the Ukrainian marketplace have been changed (the Ukrainian language is not required on individual packaging but on collective packaging).
These are just examples of simplified imports, although they do not include products from Russia and Belarus ("aggressors against Ukraine").
The problems that entrepreneurs importing to Ukraine may face are receiving calls for besides advanced customs duties imposed by Ukrainian customs, prolonged customs clearances, a protracted taxation refund process or notorious taxation checks.
Import from China to Ukraine – key information
- China is Ukraine's largest trading partner. Import of phones, computers, vehicles and plastic objects is popular.
- Customs work on goods imported into Ukraine is usually 0-20%.
- The transport of goods from China to Ukraine takes up to 7 weeks.
- Make certain that imported products comply with the requirements on the mark market.
- Protect yourself from frauds and Verify Chinese supplier.
