Sending parcels, cargo from Bulgaria to Ukraine

There may be several reasons for detaining a parcel at customs:

• The contents of the parcel are prohibited or restricted for importation into Ukraine.
• Accompanying documents are filled out incorrectly.
• Incorrect recipient
• There is no price for the goods.
• Price of the parcel exceeds 150 euro.

You can find out the reason for detention by contacting the customs authorities.

How to get a parcel detained at customs?

• The goods are prohibited for importation into Ukraine. It is impossible to import into the country items and substances that are banned or restricted for import. If the parcel has been detained at customs, for this reason, you may expect a fine or legal action. The goods will be confiscated.
• Errors or inaccuracies in the accompanying documents. To correct errors or add additional data, you must contact the sender. Only he has the right to make corrections.
• The value of the parcel is more than 150 euros. In this case, you need to clear the receipt yourself or through a customs broker - fill out a declaration and pay customs fees.

To order a parcel from Bulgaria you may need:

• Passport.
• TIN.
• Accreditation card of the legal entity (LLC, PE, etc.).
• Contract, invoice, product specifications, packing list.
• Permit for import of some or other samples of the goods if required.

The list of documents can be changed or supplemented depending on the place where you purchase the goods, their specificity, and cost.

To receive an international parcel by an individual in Ukraine, the following documents are required:

• Passport, TIN code, or other documents confirming the identity of the recipient, for non-citizens of Ukraine only passports.
• Checks or printouts from the site where the purchase price is indicated.
• Bill of lading and invoice for the parcel – you can get it at the reception of the carrier or electronically to the post office.
• Completed M16 declaration – a sample of the blank M16 form is provided by the carrier.
• Receipt for payment of customs duties.

You can prepare all documents, receipts and make the payment yourself or use the services of «Semero» customs broker.

According to the current legislation of Ukraine, when importing a parcel from abroad, if its value exceeds the duty-free limit of 150 euro*, you are required to undergo customs clearance.

What is included in the customs clearance of a parcel?

• Filling in of M16 declaration.
• Payment of customs duties - 10% duty and 20% VAT.

* For legal entities the cost of the parcel and delivery is taken into account.

Example of duty calculation for parcels over 150 EUR:

Approximate value of a parcel from abroad 200 EUR

The base for taxation is: 200 – 150 = 50 euro.

Duty: (200 – 150) * 10% = 5 EUR

Value Added Tax (VAT): (50 + 5) * 20% = 11 EUR

Duty + VAT: 5 EUR Duty + VAT 11 EUR = 16 EUR

Total: 16 euros

*Approximate amount of charges – (678,67 UAH) depends on the exchange rate established by the NBU on the date of execution of relevant documents

How is the weight of the parcel calculated? 

Approximate calculation of delivery cost for a 10 kg parcel with dimensions 50*20*20 cm:

Let's calculate volumetric weight in cm: 50*20*20 = 20000/5000 = 4 kg  

If the volumetric weight is not more than the actual weight, the cost of delivery calculation will be based on the actual weight of 10 kg.

In addition to weight, the cost of delivery is influenced by:

• The cost of the delivery service.
• Type of delivery: express or standard.
• Availability of insurance, about 1% of the cost of the parcel.
• Package of goods.
• Cost of customs clearance.
• Prices for the work of an intermediary, if you turn to them.

You can calculate the total cost yourself using a customs calculator or ask the experts of the customs-logistics company «Semero» for help.

Article 235. Prohibitions and restrictions on the transfer (sending) of certain types of goods in international postal and express consignments

Movement of the following goods shall be prohibited:

• Goods prohibited by this Code and other legislative acts of Ukraine in accordance with the importation into or exportation from the customs territory of Ukraine.
• Goods sent in violation of customs regulations.
• Goods for which there are no relevant permits in applying non-tariff regulation measures of foreign economic activity.
• Goods that, based on the results of the types of control specified in the first paragraph of Article 319 of this Code, may not be let through the customs border of Ukraine.
• Goods (clothes, shoes, etc.) that have been used and are in a dirty condition, which by their characteristics may pose a danger to postal workers, without documents on the performed fumigation.
• Goods falling under groups 1-24 of the UCG FEA are transported (sent) to citizens, except for food products with a total weight not exceeding 10 kilograms in the manufacturer's package.

Prohibited for transport:

• Live animals (including but not limited to mammals, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, amphibians, insects, or birds).
• Hunting trophies (animals), animal parts such as ivory and shark fins, animal remains, or animal by-products or derivatives not intended for human consumption that is prohibited for movement by the
• CITES Convention or local law.
• Human remains or ashes in any form.
• Precious metals in bullion.
• Cash (current legal tender as banknotes, bills, coins), traveler's checks, and activated credit cards.
  Precious and semi-precious stones in loose form (whether processed or unprocessed).
• Complete firearms, ammunition, explosives, and explosive devices, including inert explosives or test samples, air guns, replicas, or imitations of firearms or ammunition.
• Illicit goods such as illegal drugs, including but not limited to narcotic stimulants, depressants, or hallucinogens. Cannabis or its derivatives.

It is prohibited to import/export items whose transportation is prohibited by law, regulation, or statute of any state or local government of the country to which or through which the shipment may travel.