17. 10. 2026

Importing a used car from the EU duty-free: what changed at Ukrainian customs in June 2026

Buying a used car in Europe and planning to clear it through Ukrainian customs duty-free? Since June 2026, customs has changed its approach to such cars. Online you can read that “every second used car is checked”, but the official data of the State Customs Service of Ukraine say otherwise. Here is what has actually changed.

In short:

• since 1 June 2026, the duty exemption for used cars from the EU is granted only after the EUR.1 certificate has been verified;
• from 8 June to 31 December 2026, such declarations are checked centrally by a dedicated customs unit;
• it is not “every second car” — every declaration for a used EU-origin car at the preferential duty rate is checked;
• cars cleared without the preference are not covered by this check.

Who is affected

A used car imported from the European Union can, under certain conditions, be cleared with a tariff preference — that is, without paying import duty. To qualify, its preferential EU origin must be proven, in particular with a EUR.1 movement certificate.

The changes apply to exactly these cars: used, of EU origin, and cleared at the preferential duty rate.

What has changed

The preference only after EUR.1 verification

Previously, the preference could be applied at clearance while the EUR.1 certificate was still being verified in the exporting country. According to the State Customs Service, this created a risk of document manipulation.

Since 1 June 2026, for used vehicles of commodity group 87 originating in the EU, the preference is applied after the results of the EUR.1 verification are received. Customs explains that this follows the mechanism of Article 34 of Appendix I to the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin.

Centralised checks of declarations

Since 8 June 2026, declarations for used cars imported at the preferential duty rate are checked by the customs competence unit at the Coordination and Monitoring Customs Office, regardless of where the declaration was filed. The pilot project is planned to run until 31 December 2026.

Customs first announced a random selection of 50% of declarations. But on 9 June the State Customs Service reported that, after a sharp drop in the number of such declarations (73% down in the first week of June compared with May), the selection rate was raised to 100%.

Results of the first months

According to the State Customs Service, in June–August 2026 clearance of used cars from the EU brought UAH 516 million more in customs payments than in the same period of 2025. At the same time, no forged EUR.1 certificates have been found in checks since June.

What to do if you are importing a car from the EU

1. Prepare the proof of origin. The EUR.1 certificate or another document proving EU origin must be issued correctly.
2. Keep documents proving the price. The sales contract, proof of payment and export documents are checked as well.
3. Allow more time. The preference is applied after the EUR.1 verification result, so clearance may take longer.
4. Ask your customs broker how exactly your car will be cleared while the certificate is being verified.

After customs clearance

Customs clearance is only one step. Before its first registration in Ukraine, a used car must be certified at an accredited laboratory. We explained what changed in vehicle certification on 27 September 2026 in a separate article. You can book certification on the car certification page or by phone: +380 98 500 5252.

FAQ

Is it true that customs checks every second used car?

No. The check covers declarations for used EU-origin cars cleared at the preferential duty rate. For them, the selection rate has been 100% since 9 June, not 50%.

Does this apply to cars from the USA?

No. This check applies to used cars of EU origin for which a duty exemption is claimed.

How long will the checks last?

Customs plans to run the pilot project until 31 December 2026.

Source: State Customs Service, 23.09.2026, State Customs Service, 09.06.2026, State Customs Service, 29.05.2026 (in Ukrainian)