Customs clearance of vehicles of diplomatic missions, consular offices, representative offices of international organizations, as well as their personnel and family members of the personnel enjoying customs privileges in Ukraine

Customs clearance rules for diplomatic missions of foreign states in Ukraine

Motor vehicles intended for official (work related) use of diplomatic missions of foreign states in Ukraine may be imported by these missions with exemption from customs inspection and customs duties and may be used at the same time, in the quantity necessary to ensure their functioning, but not more than the number of members of the diplomatic staff of the mission, plus an additional two vehicles.

Such vehicles must be declared to the customs authorities at the place of accreditation of these representative offices and are allowed into Ukraine under the temporary import regime for a period defined by the mentioned representative offices, but not longer than the period of their accreditation.

Customs clearance rules for heads of diplomatic missions of foreign states, members of diplomatic staff of missions and members of their families

The head of a diplomatic mission of a foreign state and members of the diplomatic staff of the mission, and members of their families with a diplomatic card who live with them, provided that they are not citizens of Ukraine and do not permanently reside in Ukraine, may import motor vehicles intended for personal use into Ukraine across the customs border of Ukraine with exemption from customs duties and at the same time have cars imported under the temporary import regime in the territory of Ukraine in a quantity not exceeding:

1. up to two vehicles for the head of the mission;
2. one vehicle for each member of the diplomatic staff of the mission;
3. one vehicle for each adult family member of the head of the mission and members of the diplomatic staff.

Each official enjoys customs privileges upon entering Ukraine to assume a relevant position from the moment of crossing the customs border of Ukraine, and in the case of being on the territory of Ukraine - from the time when this entitled person officially began to perform his duties.

Family members of officials, if they are not citizens of Ukraine and do not permanently reside in Ukraine, entitled the same privileges as these officials.

Cars intended for personal use by members of the staff of foreign missions and international organizations in Ukraine must be declared to the customs authorities at the place of residence of these persons in accordance with the procedure established by the Customs Code for citizens, and are allowed into Ukraine under the temporary import regime for the period specified by these persons, but not longer than the period of their accreditation.

Rules for members of the administrative and technical staff of a foreign state diplomatic mission and members of their families

Members of the administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic mission of a foreign state and members of their families living with them, if they are not citizens of Ukraine and do not reside in Ukraine permanently, may import into Ukraine motor vehicles intended for personal use, with exemption from customs duties, if they have a diplomatic card, in the amount of no more than one motor vehicle per family.

Can the number of cars allowed to be imported into Ukraine be reduced?

Yes. According to the reciprocity conditions, if a foreign state grants a less favorable conditions to a foreign diplomatic mission of Ukraine or its personnel than those provided under Ukrainian regulations, a similar limitations will be applied to the diplomatic mission of such foreign state in Ukraine and its personnel on the basis of the reciprocity.

Is it possible to clear and buy a car that was imported with diplomatic license plates?

Yes. After officials of foreign missions and international organizations leave the customs territory of Ukraine, the provision of customs privileges cease, and vehicles can be transferred to another owner (i.e. cleared with payment of all customs duties) on the customs territory of Ukraine after changing the customs regime from temporary import to import.

What are the options for customs clearance of a car with diplomatic license plates?

There are two options for customs clearance and purchase of a car with diplomatic license plates:

1. 1. Import of the vehicle by the person who initially imported it into the temporary import regime with subsequent re-registration for the new owner at the Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
2. 2. "Re-entry" - export of the vehicle outside the customs territory of Ukraine by the person who initially imported it into the temporary import regime and re-imports it into the import regime for the new owner;

List of documents for customs clearance of cars with diplomatic license plates:

1. Official request letter to register the vehicle at customs;
2. Permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (required only for embassies);
3. Attestation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
4. Record card from the Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs confirming removal of the vehicle from registration;
5. Invoice;