Ukrainian business sets new record for 'customs visa-free' use
Ukrainian enterprises continue to increase the use of the common transit procedure for goods with European countries. In the third quarter of 2026, the number of completed transit declarations increased by 8.2 thousand compared to the previous quarter, and September became a record month for the entire period of the "customs visa-free" operation.
The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine reported this on October 8.
During July–September, 64.5 thousand declarations were processed in the New Computerized Transit System (NCTS), compared to 56.3 thousand in the second quarter. The growth was about 15%.
Of the total, over 43.4 thousand transit movements began at Ukrainian customs and ended in other countries – parties to the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure.
Another 21.1 thousand shipments that started abroad were completed by Ukrainian customs.
The highest business activity was recorded in September. During the month, Ukrainian customs processed almost 16 thousand transit declarations for sending goods abroad. At the same time, over 6 thousand transit movements initiated in other countries were completed in Ukraine.
Thus, September became a record month in terms of the application of the common transit procedure in Ukraine.
The use of the system for domestic transportation is also growing. In the third quarter, enterprises processed over 9.5 thousand T1 declarations for internal transit of goods.
In parallel, Ukrainian business is more actively using the mechanism of common customs guarantees. During the quarter, such guarantees were applied in almost 40 thousand T1 declarations, under which cargo moved through the customs territory of the European Union.
In July–September, the State Customs Service registered 12 new common guarantees. As of the end of September, the following were in effect in Ukraine:
- 123 common guarantees worth over €447 million;
- 5,080 individual guarantees worth €726 million.
Customs guarantees ensure the fulfillment of enterprises' obligations during transit shipments. A common guarantee allows the use of a single guarantee for several transit operations, simplifying the organization of regular international deliveries.
The increase in the number of declarations follows Ukraine's transition on June 22, 2026, to an updated version of the NCTS system – Phase 6. The third quarter was the first full quarter of its use.
The "customs visa-free" has been in effect for Ukraine since October 1, 2022. Thanks to joining the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure, Ukrainian enterprises can move goods between participating countries using a single transit declaration and the guarantees provided by the system.
The Ministry of Finance notes that the development of NCTS and the growth of transit operations demonstrate the continued use of European customs tools by Ukrainian business. The State Customs Service continues to improve electronic services and bring national procedures closer to EU standards.
Based on materials: Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, Ministry of Finance, State Customs Service
