Customs Clearance problems in Ukrainian ports

It is essential to warn the Master to thoroughly and diligently complete the required customs declaration forms with particular regards to ship’s stores list, medicine and drugs list, when calling any Ukranian ports.

The Ukranian Law Customs Authorities will likely study the declaration forms in detail and make ship inspections to see if certain items have not been properly declared. The penalties range from US$1,600 to US$3,200 and/or confiscation of the undeclared items. However it should be noted that the Authorities will require a security payment of the maximum fine (US$3,200) and in some case, a larger sum than US$3,200 if the undeclared item is perceived to be worth more than US$3,200. In most circumstances, the penalty quantum ends up to be the maximum security amount of US$3,200 for items which are of lower value and the processes required to return the confiscated items is long and tedious.

It is also good advice to ask the Master to co-operate with the Authorities by putting up the cash security as any resistance in such will usually result in a full interrogation of the master and ship’s crew and subsequent delays in the vessel’s departure.