There is no ban on entering Ukraine with a car with foreign license plates, but the law provides for a number of restrictions on the use of such a car in Ukraine. Find out what rules apply to Ukrainians and foreigners in 2024

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Citizens of other countries and Ukrainians have the right to enter Ukraine in cars with foreign registration. However, they have different rules for crossing the border and using such vehicles. Moreover, violations of the rules for operating cars with foreign license plates are subject to fines, so it is important to take into account all restrictions to avoid unnecessary troubles.

What are the general rules and peculiarities of using cars with foreign license plates in Ukraine and how long such vehicles can stay in the country without the need for customs clearance - we will tell you further in the article.

We told you earlier how a foreigner can rent a car in Ukraine and get a driver's license.

Transit of cars with foreign registration through Ukraine

According to the Customs Code of Ukraine, the period of transit transportation for road transport by residents (i.e., Ukrainians and foreigners who have a residence permit in Ukraine) is 10 days (in case of movement within the area of activity of one customs office - 5 days). 

In other words, resident citizens may cross the border in a vehicle with foreign registration and use it for personal purposes in the territory of Ukraine in transit. 

At the same time, if such a car will stay in Ukraine for more than the specified period and was imported by a resident for personal use, it is necessary to use the import or temporary import regime.

Read more about the rules of transit for non-residents of Ukraine here.

Rules of entry to Ukraine for foreigners by cars with foreign license plates

Citizens of other countries may import cars with foreign registration into the territory of Ukraine solely for personal use. In this case, no customs duties are payable for the import of such a car. 

However, there are restrictions on the period of operation of cars with foreign license plates in Ukraine. Thus, cars without Ukrainian registration can stay in the country for one year. However, if a car is going to stay in Ukraine for more than two months, it is necessary to obtain a temporary registration at a service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Upon expiration of the one-year period, a car with foreign license plates must leave the territory of Ukraine.

Rules of entry for residents of Ukraine for cars with foreign license plates

Ukrainians have the right to import a car with foreign license plates for their own use after a written declaration and payment of customs duties. The same rules apply to foreign citizens who have a residence permit in Ukraine.

Different rules apply to Ukrainian citizens who are registered with the consulate abroad and permanently reside there. When entering Ukraine, they must declare their car in writing, but without paying customs duties. The period of stay of such a car in Ukraine should not exceed 60 days within one calendar year (continuously or intermittently). 

In all of the above cases, it is necessary to apply to the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to obtain a temporary registration if a car with foreign license plates is imported by a resident of Ukraine for a period of more than 30 days. In this case, Ukrainians who are registered with the consulate abroad must provide documents confirming their ownership of the car and documents of registration in the territory of the relevant country.

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Peculiarities of temporary import of cars with foreign license plates to Ukraine for residents

Pursuant to the Customs Code of Ukraine, resident citizens may use the regime of temporary importation of personal vehicles for a period of up to one year under a written obligation to re-export them. However, they are required to pay all customs duties that are required by law to be paid when importing such vehicles.

If a person crosses the border in a vehicle owned by a non-resident company in connection with the performance of his or her official duties, such a person may also use the temporary importation regime.  Such vehicles may be imported for a period of up to 10 days. However, this period may be extended by the customs authorities in the presence of certain documented circumstances, but not more than 60 days. 

Customs clearance and registration of cars with foreign license plates in Ukraine

Pursuant to the Customs Code of Ukraine, goods classified under headings 8701-8707, 8711, 8716 of the Ukrainian Classification of Goods for Foreign Economic Activity, which are subject to state registration, when imported by citizens into the customs territory of Ukraine, regardless of their value, are subject to a written declaration and customs clearance with import duty at the full rates of the Customs Tariff of Ukraine, excise tax and value added tax at the rates established by the Tax Code of Ukraine.

What documents do I need to enter Ukraine with a car with foreign license plates?

To enter Ukraine by a car with foreign license plates, the following documents are required

– foreign passport and insurance policy (for foreigners)

–  passport of a citizen of Ukraine/residence permit (for residents of the country)

– driver's license;

– car registration certificate with valid insurance;

– international automobile insurance card "Green Card".

What is the responsibility for violating the rules for importing cars with foreign license plates?

The Customs Code of Ukraine provides for liability for the transfer of a personal use vehicle temporarily imported into the customs territory of Ukraine or placed in the customs transit regime to the possession, use or disposal of a person who did not directly import such a vehicle in the form of a fine of two thousand tax-free minimum incomes.

Also, liability is provided for exceeding the period of transit transportation of personal vehicles. Exceeding the term by no more than one day entails a warning or a fine in the amount of ten non-taxable minimum incomes, and exceeding the term by more than 10 days entails a fine in the amount of five hundred non-taxable minimum incomes.

If you need assistance with entering and staying in Ukraine, please contact Visit Ukraine lawyers. Our specialists will answer all your questions, help you collect and submit the necessary documents, and advise on solving other pressing problems.

Follow the link to order a legal consultation or full legal support.

We remind you! Before traveling abroad by car, there are several important details related to documents and insurance to consider. Read what you need to have for an international road trip and how to leave Ukraine by car in our previous article.

Photo: Western Regional Directorate of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine

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