Shopping in Ukraine: VAT Refund, Prices and What to Buy

Shopping in Ukraine in 2026 attracts tourists with affordable prices, authentic souvenirs and a large selection of local goods. Find out where it is best to buy embroidered shirts, chocolate, ceramics and gastronomic souvenirs, what prices to expect in Ukraine, whether the Tax Free system works and how VAT refunds for foreigners are arranged

Take care of reliable insurance for safe entry and stay in Ukraine

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Shopping in Ukraine in 2026 remains profitable for tourists due to affordable prices for products, souvenirs, local brands and gastronomy. At the same time, Ukraine currently does not have a state Tax Free system for foreigners, as in EU countries, so VAT refund Ukraine for tourists does not officially work.

In this article, we tell you what prices tourists can expect in Ukraine, what is worth buying and how Ukraine VAT refund works.

Detailed information that will be useful when planning a trip to Ukraine can be found here:

– Travel to Ukraine for tourism.

– Employment in Ukraine.

– Immigration to Ukraine.

– Studying in Ukraine.

– Travelling to Ukraine by car.

– Popular destinations in Ukraine.

– Support Ukraine.

Find out at the link which international trains will run to Ukraine in 2026, how to build a route with transfers, and how much tickets cost.

What are the requirements for a visa to Ukraine, what documents do you need to prepare for a trip to Ukraine, how the rules for crossing the border of Ukraine in 2026 work, look in this material.

Curfew in different regions of Ukraine in 2026 here.

Safe regions of Ukraine and popular destinations for travel in this article.

Why is shopping in Ukraine popular among tourists?

Shopping in Ukraine attracts tourists primarily due to the price-quality ratio. Many goods - from local products to designer clothes - are cheaper than in Europe, while the quality often meets international standards.

Especially popular among foreigners are: Ukrainian sweets, craft products, embroidered shirts, cosmetics of Ukrainian brands, ceramics and handicrafts, local clothing and accessories, alcoholic beverages and gastronomic souvenirs.

In addition, modern shopping centers, international brands and local showrooms are actively operating in large cities of Ukraine.

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Where in Ukraine should a tourist go shopping?

Kyiv

- Andriyivskyi Uzviz is the most famous tourist street, where they sell paintings, ceramics, embroidery, antiques. It is worth coming here on weekends. You can bargain.

- Bessarabskyi Market is a covered market in the city center with a wide selection of fresh products: meat, fish, cheeses, honey, vegetables and fruits. A real flavor of Kyiv.

- TSUM is a premium department store on Khreshchatyk with a wide range of branded clothing and accessories.

- Khreshchatyk is the main street of Ukraine, it can easily be called the key shopping street of Ukraine.

Lviv

- Vernissage is a souvenir market in the center of Lviv, next to the Opera Theater. Here they sell paintings, wooden products, amber jewelry, hand-sewn crafts, antiques. Prices are often better than in stores.

- Lviv Handmade Chocolate Center - a famous handmade chocolate shop.

- Passage - a shop with Ukrainian gifts - an ideal place to buy quality souvenirs and clothes from Ukrainian manufacturers.

Odesa

- Deribasovskaya Street - the main tourist and shopping street of the city. There are many souvenir shops, local cafes, restaurants and seasonal fairs.

- Privoz - the legendary Odessa market, which has long become a tourist attraction. Here you can buy local delicacies, fish, spices, fruits, homemade cheeses and real Odessa flavor. For gastronomic shopping, this is one of the best places in Ukraine.

- Arcadia - an area by the sea, where many seasonal shops, beach markets and souvenir shops operate in the summer.

- Greek Square - one of the central areas for shopping and walking. Nearby are clothing stores, souvenir shops, gastronomic establishments and shopping galleries.

What souvenirs do tourists buy in Ukraine?

- Embroidery and linen products are an authentic symbol of Ukraine - High-quality handmade embroidery is more expensive, but it is durable and has cultural value.

- Amber jewelry - Ukraine is one of the largest producers of amber in the world. High-quality products (earrings, bracelets, pendants) are sold in jewelry stores and markets.

- Petrykivka painting - a unique style of folk painting, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. You can buy everything from small postcards to large decorative plates.

- Roshen chocolate and confectionery - light, tasty and inexpensive gifts. There are branded stores in Kyiv, Lviv and other cities.

- Ceramic dishes and clay products - a traditional folk craft, especially famous in Kosiv (Ivano-Frankivsk region) and in the Kyiv School of Ceramics.

- Honey and natural products – Ukraine is one of the world's leading producers of honey. You can buy different varieties in the markets: buckwheat, acacia, linden.

For more unique souvenirs that you should definitely bring home from Ukraine, check out the link.

Prices in Ukraine for tourists: what to expect?

In general, prices in Ukraine are significantly lower than in the European Union. According to Numbeo (April 2026), the cost of living in Ukraine is on average ~59% lower than in the USA, and in Kyiv - ~54% lower than in the average European city.

Food and restaurants

Here are approximate prices in Kyiv and other large cities as of spring 2026:

- Lunch in a mid-range cafe: 150–350 UAH (~$3.5–8.5);

- Coffee in a coffee shop: 60–120 UAH (~$1.5–3);

- Bottle of local beer (0.5 l in a cafe): 80–150 UAH (~$2–3.5);

- Borsch with dumplings: 100–200 UAH (~$2.5–5);

- Vareniki (portion): 120–200 UAH (~$3–5);

- Pizza / burger in a restaurant: 200–400 UAH (~$5–10).

In this article, we tell you what to try in Ukraine, how much food costs and how to organize meals while traveling.

Products in the supermarket

- Bread: 25–45 UAH;

- Milk (1 l): 55–80 UAH;

- Eggs (10 pcs): 50–80 UAH;

- Roshen chocolate: 50–90 UAH.

Souvenirs and gifts

Prices for popular Ukrainian souvenirs:

- Vyshyvanka (shirt with embroidery): from 600 to 3,000 UAH depending on whether it is handmade or machine-made;

- Petrykivskyi painting (postcards, plates): 80–1,500 UAH;

- Handmade ceramic dishes: 200–1,500 UAH;

- Magnets, key chains, small souvenirs: 50–200 UAH per piece;

- Roshen chocolate/candy (branded box): 80–500 UAH;

- Linen products (towels, tablecloths): 300–1,500 UAH.

Important! The  prices Ukraine tourists depends greatly on the city, district and format of the store. Prices may be higher in tourist centers.

Is Tax Free and VAT refund available in Ukraine?

As of 2026, Ukraine does not have a classic Tax Free system for foreign tourists, so VAT refund in Ukraine in the format familiar to the EU does not work. Tourists cannot refund VAT after purchases in stores at the border or special Tax Free operators. At the same time, prices in Ukraine remain significantly lower than in most European countries, so Ukraine shopping is often still profitable for travelers.

What is the VAT rate in Ukraine?

The standard VAT rate in Ukraine is 20% – it is included in the price of all goods you buy in stores and markets. A reduced rate of 7% applies to medicines and certain services in the field of culture and tourism.

Practical tips for tourists: shopping in Ukraine

- Currency: It is better to pay in hryvnias (UAH). Most stores and shopping centers accept bank cards; in markets and small vendors, cash is mostly accepted.

- Bargaining: in open markets (Vernissage, Andriyivskyi Uzviz, Bessarabskyi Rynok) you can and should bargain. Prices in stores and shopping centers are fixed.

- Opening hours: stores are usually open from 9:00–10:00 to 19:00–21:00. Due to the curfew (in Kyiv – from 00:00 to 05:00), all establishments are closed at night.

- Payment by card: in large cities, most retail outlets and even markets accept Visa/Mastercard, payment by smartphones and smartwatches is also available.

- Clothing size grid: Ukraine uses the European (EU) size system.

- Language: in large cities, sellers in tourist areas often know English or basic Polish.

What currency is used in Ukraine, whether foreign cards work, how to withdraw money, what limits apply and how to avoid unnecessary commissions while traveling, read in our previous material.

Where is it better to change money in Ukraine, whether it is worth using exchangers at train stations, how to avoid fraud and whether it is possible to pay in dollars or euros, we tell you at the link.

Additional tips for the comfort and safety of tourists in Ukraine

Traveling to Ukraine in 2026 requires attention to safety, transportation, housing, and finances:

- What insurance to choose for a trip to Ukraine during a war is described here.

- Previously, we told you what a siren means, where to find shelter, how to behave during an alarm, and what safety rules will help tourists feel confident while traveling in Ukraine.

- How does transport work in Ukraine, what are the transportation options, prices and tips for safe travel, follow the link.

- Instructions on how to buy train tickets in Ukraine online and offline here.

- What taxi services operate in Ukraine in 2026, how to order, how much do trips cost, and what life hacks will help you avoid problems while traveling in Ukraine in this article.

- Where to stay in Ukraine? The best hotels, apartments and tips for staying safe in this article.

- The best mobile operators, where to buy SIM cards for tourists, how to activate eSIM and the most important tips for mobile communication in Ukraine in this article.

- Read in detail what tourists most often forget when planning a trip to Ukraine here.

When traveling to Ukraine in 2026, it is important to take care of your safety in advance. Standard travel policies do not cover risks associated with military operations, so special insurance is not an option, but a necessity.

Such a policy provides access to medical care, covers hospitalization costs and helps to avoid unforeseen expenses in difficult situations.

Apply for insurance with military risk coverage in advance through Visit Ukraine - quickly, online and taking into account current travel conditions.

Shopping in Ukraine is an interesting experience with affordable prices and a large selection of authentic goods: from embroidery and Petrykivka painting to natural honey and Roshen chocolate. However, it is important to know: the Tax free system has not yet been introduced in Ukraine, so VAT refunds are not provided when leaving the country. The best places for shopping Ukraine are Andriyivskyi Uzviz and Bessarabskyi Market in Kyiv, Vernissage in Lviv, Deribasovskaya Street in Odessa and local markets throughout the country. Plan your budget in hryvnias, take cash for the markets and bargain boldly - it is part of the culture.

Reminder! The borders of Ukraine remain open to foreign citizens, but it is important to properly prepare for visiting the country. How to plan a trip to Ukraine during the war - read here.

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Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

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