New rules for the import, customs clearance, and operation of foreign-registered vehicles, known as “Euro-license plates,” came into effect in Ukraine in 2025. These changes are intended to streamline the used car market and ensure compliance with environmental standards.
📜 New rules for car customs clearance in 2025
From January 1, 2025, updated requirements for the import of vehicles will apply in Ukraine:
Environmental standard: only cars that meet the standard are allowed to be imported Euro-6 (released after 2015) .
Import ban: the following are prohibited:
Commercial vehicles until 2015.
Trucks that do not meet Euro-6 standards.
Right-hand drive cars.
Vehicles with damaged VIN code or questionable documents.
💰 Preferential customs clearance: who can benefit?
In 2025, benefits are provided for certain categories of vehicles:
Electric cars: completely exempt from customs duties, excise duties and VAT. Also not subject to the Pension Fund fee upon first registration.
Cars for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and humanitarian aid: exempt from all customs duties provided they are transferred to military units or specific military personnel.
Retro cars: cars over 50 years old can be imported as cultural property without customs clearance, but are not subject to registration for use on public roads.
Persons moving to a permanent place of residence: have the right to import one personal vehicle without paying customs duties under certain conditions.
⚖️ Fines for cars that have not been cleared through customs
The following fines are provided for violating the terms of temporary importation or transit of a vehicle:
Up to 10 days: 8,500 UAH.
From 10 to 30 days: 85,000 UAH.
More than 30 days: 170,000 UAH or confiscation of the car through the court.
In addition, driving a car in violation of customs regulations, regardless of who owns it, is subject to a fine of:
First violation: 8,500 UAH.
Repeated violation within a year: 17,000 UAH with deprivation of driving rights for 1 year.
🛣️ Is it possible to drive a car that has not been cleared through customs?
In 2025, the operation of an uncleared vehicle on the territory of Ukraine is possible only under certain conditions:
Temporary importation: Ukrainian citizens can import a car for up to 10 days, and if the car is registered with a consular office in another country - up to 60 days.
Use of a car by a foreign legal entity: possible provided that you regularly travel abroad once a year to extend your car entry permit.
📝 How to legalize "Euro-Bleaching" in 2025?
To legalize a car with foreign registration, you must:
Go abroad: take the car out of Ukraine.
Make a preliminary customs declaration: before crossing the border, it is necessary to submit a preliminary declaration with information about the vehicle and its owner.
Obtain a certificate of conformity: before the main registration, you must obtain a certificate of conformity for an individually approved technical vehicle.
Return to Ukraine and go through customs clearance: pay the necessary customs duties and register the car in accordance with current legislation.
📌 Conclusion
In 2025, requirements for the import and operation of foreign-registered cars in Ukraine have become stricter. Owners of "Euro" cars should carefully familiarize themselves with the new rules to avoid significant fines and ensure the legal use of their vehicle.
