CURRENCY IMPORT AND EXPORT REGULATIONS - IMPLEMENTED CHANGES

Effective July 27, 2008 certain changes have been introduced to the Ukrainian Customs Regulations on Movement of Cash and Bank Metals across the Customs Border of Ukraine. According to the Board of the National Bank of Ukraine resolution No 148 of May 27, 2008 the following instruction are in force: (unofficial translation / brief outline).

The terms used herein have the following meanings: "Cash" shall be understood as the currency of Ukraine in cash and the foreign currency cash in the form of bank notes and coins that circulate and are a legal tender on the territory of the relevant state, bank notes and coins withdrawn or to be withdrawn from the circulation subject to the exchange for the bank notes being in circulation (other than coins categorised as bank metals), and traveller's cheques;

For the purposes of this Instruction, the cash amounts shall be recalculated in EUR at the official Hryvnia to Euro exchange rate set by the National Bank of Ukraine or at the cross rate determined under the official exchange rate of hryvnia to relevant foreign currencies as of the date of crossing of the customs border of Ukraine or as of the cash dispatch date.

An individual regardless of the age shall have the right to export cash and bank metals from Ukraine and to import them into Ukraine within allowances specified with this Instruction.

A customs declaration shall constitute the basis for the exportation (the importation) of the cash and bank metals specified therein, and the performance of transactions on instruction of a resident or a non-resident for one year of the declaration execution date.

An individual or a legal entity shall be liable for the failure to declare cash and bank metals moved across the customs border of Ukraine in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine.

Importation of Cash into Ukraine and Exportation of Cash from Ukraine

An individual shall have the right to import into Ukraine and export from Ukraine the cash in the amount that does not exceed the equivalent of EUR 10,000 without the written declaration to the customs agency.

An individual shall have the right to import into Ukraine and export from Ukraine the cash in the amount that exceeds the equivalent of EUR 10,000 subject to the written declaration of the total amount to the customs agency.

An individual or a legal entity shall import cash into Ukraine and export cash from Ukraine in the amount exceeding the equivalent of EUR 10,000 subject to the availability of documents that confirm the withdrawal of cash from accounts with banks (financial institutions) solely in the amount that exceeds the equivalent of EUR 10,000.

A non-resident individual shall have the right to lodge funds to accounts with authorised banks or perform other transactions in banks of Ukraine on the basis of a customs declaration.

Cash Forwarding

The cash shall be permitted to be sent to Ukraine and from Ukraine with the international mail correspondence and the international express correspondence with the announced value in compliance with requirements of Postal Service Provision

a) to individuals and legal entities (other than authorised banks) in the amount not exceeding the equivalent of EUR 300;

b) the authorised banks.

International mail correspondence and international express correspondence that contain cash in an amount exceeding the allowance specified by this Instruction shall not be issued to recipients and returned to senders."

The complete text of the resolution can be found at  http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi?nreg=z0520-08 in Ukrainian only.

While in Ukraine, American Citizens are subject to Ukrainian laws and procedures. The Embassy understands that one may take the amount of up to EUR 10.000 or its equivalent into or out of Ukraine. If the amount of money is exceeding EUR 10.000, you must fill out a written declaration. If you fail to do so in a timely manner, the amount exceeding EUR 10.000 will be seized by the Ukrainian Customs officer. To argue this seizure, you will need to appear in person or appoint a legal representative to the scheduled court hearing written on the protocol of seizure given to you by the customs agent. If you encounter problems with the Customs office, please obtain professional legal assistance from Ukrainian lawyers.

NOTE: If you travel by air, you must fill out your declaration form and show it to the customs officer BEFORE check in. Declaration forms are available in the airport waiting area. After you fill out the form, you must submit it to the customs officer who is sitting next to the stall with the forms.

We encourage you to check the Ukrainian Customs Department website at www.customs.gov.ua for details of Ukrainian customs regulations. The Ukrainian Customs Department can be reached at +38 044 2472706. You may e-mail them at dmsu@customs.gov.ua. Their hot-line for public enquiries is +38-800-501-31-30 or +38-044-249 9284. The Customs office of "Boryspil” International Airport can be reached at +38 044 281-73-79

There is also a commercial consulting centre that cooperates with the Ukrainian State Customs Service. They can be reached either by e-mail at acap@ukr.net or by phone at +38 044 228 4931; +38 044 253 1174. They are located in Kyiv, at 10, Grushevskogo str. Your information request should be translated into Russian or Ukrainian.