Parcel delivery from Japan to Ukraine

There are several main reasons for detaining a parcel:

• There were mistakes in the documents (wrong recipient, missing some data, the content of the parcel does not correspond to the information in the documents).
• The content of the parcel violates the laws of Ukraine.
• Value of the parcel exceeds the duty-free limit.

How can I get a parcel held by customs?

If there are mistakes or missing information in the documents, you need to contact the sender and ask him to correct the data. After that, you have to make sure that the correct information is displayed to the delivery service, and then received by the customs authorities.

Goods and substances that violate the laws of Ukraine may not be brought into the country. Depending on the goods confiscated from you, you may face court proceedings and fines.

Parcels that cost more than 150 euros must go through customs clearance, and their recipient must pay customs fees.

To order a parcel from Japan 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 passport.
• 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, and receipts and make the payment yourself or use the services of «Semero» customs broker.

• If the value of the parcel indicated in the accompanying documents does not exceed the duty-free limit of 150 euros, the parcel does not need customs clearance and you will only have to pay the cost of delivery and insurance (if the parcel was insured).
• If the price of the parcel exceeds the duty-free limit, you have to go through customs clearance and pay shipping + VAT + duty. 

Also consider that for physical persons, the limit of 150 EUR includes only the cost of the parcel, for legal persons, in order not to exceed the duty-free limit, the price of the parcel including delivery should be within 150 EUR.

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

The cost is calculated based on several factors, which include: 

• Weight and dimensions of the package or cargo.
• Rates for courier services (FedEx, UPS, TNT, DHL) – can be found on the website of the carrier or agent.
• Customs clearance (if necessary). The price and customs clearance procedure may vary depending on whether the recipient is an individual or a legal entity.
• Insurance (optional).

An example of delivery calculation for parcels weighing 10 kg with the size of 50*30*30 cm:

Do the calculation of the volumetric weight in cm: 50*30*30 = 45000/5000 = 9 kg  

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

You choose the service delivery: express or economy. 

Insurance is usually 1% of the cost. 

Packaging is at the expense of the sender. 

Make a calculation on the site yourself or send a request for the calculation to the managers of the company «Semero».

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 are 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.