Ukrainian customs does not allow cars to be taken out of Odesa ports
In early May, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine issued an order according to which cars can be imported only through three checkpoints. The ports of the Odesa region, where hundreds of cars remained, were not included in the lists of checkpoints.
According to the Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 354-r of May 3, 2022, cars with further customs clearance can be imported only through three checkpoints: Hrushiv and Ustyluh on the border with Poland (in Lviv and Volyn regions respectively) and Maly Berezny on the border with Slovakia (in the Transcarpathian region).
Thus, the government tried to reduce queues at the border by unloading other checkpoints for cargo and humanitarian aid. However, the opposite happened – the queues at these checkpoints stretched for several days due to too long bureaucratic procedures.
Furthermore, the Ukrainian Government did not consider the ports of Odesa region. Before the war in Ukraine, only on the ferry complex of the port of Chernomorsk there were hundreds of cars waiting in line for customs clearance.
At the beginning of May, about 200 cars remained on the ferry complex. And the customs authorities forbade them to clear customs, referring to the adopted Order №354-r. Such actions actually violate the legislation of Ukraine – cars were imported to Ukraine before February 24, but it is impossible to get them now.
In addition, recipients continue to pay for the storage of their cars. At present, cars cannot even be temporarily registered to be transported to another customs post.
Another problem is the changed transit routes of the car. Thus, the Order creates new difficulties for the import of cars to Ukraine. Ships carrying cars to Ukraine before the war were forced to unload cars in other countries. And the cars ended up in Romanian, Bulgarian, Greek and Turkish ports.
The most convenient route for delivery of these cars to Ukraine is through Romania. But no checkpoints have been opened on the border with Romania in the Odesa region. It turns out that the recipient needs to ‘drive’ the car to Western Ukraine at his own expense – and only there to import it into the country. It also creates additional costs for Ukrainians.
Likewise, it is unknown how this issue will be resolved. Furthermore, it is likely that an appeal to the government will affect the decision to ban, and then the issue of cars in ports will be resolved. However, as of today, Ukrainians are forced to accept new conditions of officials, which are not justified and even unnecessary.
