Parcel delivery from Portugal to Ukraine

There are several main reasons for the detention of a parcel:

• There were mistakes in the documents (wrong recipient, missing some data, the contents of the parcel doesn’t match the information that is specified in the documents).
• The content of the parcel violates the laws of Ukraine.
• The 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 at the delivery service, and afterwards 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 Portugal 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 may be amended or supplemented depending on the place where you purchase the goods, their specificity, and value.

To receive an international parcel by an individual in Ukraine, you need the following documents:

• Passport, TIN code, or other documents confirming the identity of the recipient, for non-citizen of Ukraine only passport.
• Checks or printouts from the site where the cost of purchase 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.

• If the value of the parcel specified in the accompanying documents does not exceed the tax-free limit of 150 euros, the parcel does not need to be cleared through customs and you will only have to pay the shipping and insurance costs (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 keep in mind that for individuals, the limit of 150 EUR includes only the cost of the parcel itself, for legal entities, in order not to exceed the duty-free limit, the price of the parcel, including delivery must 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

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.