The Ukrainian government strictly controls and restricts the transit, import, and export of weapons, narcotics, chemicals and hazardous substances, and certain pharmaceutical and communications products. Licensing of prohibited and restricted imports is regulated by the Law of Ukraine “On State Control for International Transfer of Military and Dual-Use Goods” № 549-IV, last revision dated August 23, 2023, which outlines the conditions and terms of licensing; names the control agencies in charge of transit; and sets criteria for the transit, import, and export of military or dual-use goods. The approval of the transit, import, or export of military or dual-use goods can take up to 90 days from the time of application and receipt of the necessary supporting documentation.
These documents must be submitted to the State Service of Export Control of Ukraine. U.S. companies or the respective Ukrainian trading partner of the end-user goods wishing to import the goods should contact the State Service of Export Control of Ukraine in advance, before any prohibited or restricted goods are shipped to Ukraine. The latest amendment to this law states that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine may establish a list of goods for which the international transfer is not covered during the period of martial law.
Additionally, Resolution #960 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of October 24, 2018, last updated on June 26, 2020, established restrictions on the cross-border movement of certain groups of goods, including experimental varieties of plants, products subject to certification, food products, military and dual-use products, goods subject to conformity assessment according to the requirements of technical regulations, seeds and propagating material, electronic equipment and emitters for special purposes. A detailed list of these goods is provided in the resolution.