Inspections Will Become Stricter: How Humanitarian Shipments of Food Will Be Inspected
22 July 13:58
The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine has reported widespread abuses in the import of dairy products. According to the ministry, certain companies are importing commercial shipments of cheese under the guise of humanitarian aid, which allows them to avoid paying customs duties and value-added tax, reports "Komersant Ukrainian"
According to Taras Vysotsky, First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, using the status of humanitarian aid to evade taxes during wartime is unacceptable.
The ministry emphasizes that such schemes:
- create an uneven playing field for Ukrainian producers;
- inflict significant losses on the state budget;
- fuel the growth of the black market for food products.
According to estimates by relevant industry associations, illegal imports already account for about 30% of the Ukrainian cheese market, and the budget may lose about 730 million hryvnias annually due to unpaid taxes and customs duties.
The share of imported cheeses continues to grow
The Ministry of Agrarian Policy is drawing attention to the rapid growth of imported products.
According to official estimates:
- in the spring of 2026, imported cheeses already accounted for more than 50%ofthe Ukrainianmarket;
- by the end of 2025, this figure stood at about 45%;
- Ukrainian cheese production declined by approximately 6% during this period;
- imports of rennet-based cheeses increased by 13%.
These trends are causing concern among both producers and the government.
What risks does the government see?
The Ministry of Agrarian Policy notes that some of the products entering Ukraine through questionable schemes may be sold without proper oversight.
Specifically, these include:
- a lack of laboratory testing;
- violations of food safety requirements;
- lack of labeling in Ukrainian;
- the inability to trace the origin of the products.
Such risks can negatively affect both consumers and bona fide market participants.
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What Changes Is the Government Preparing?
The government is working on new rules for the control of humanitarian aid shipments.
In October, Resolution No. 234 on food labeling will expire.
Regulations governing the verification of shipments imported through charitable organizations are also being developed. This will allow for tracking the movement of goods from the moment they cross the border to the final recipient.
In addition, the following changes are planned:
- stricter customs inspections;
- additional controls at wholesale warehouses and markets;
- drawing on European experience in combating illegal imports;
- the termination of the simplified food labeling regime, which was introduced during martial law in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 234.
How Europe Combats Such Schemes
The Ministry notes that Ukraine is taking into account the practices of European Union member states while drafting the new rules.
For example, in Poland, several government agencies simultaneously monitor the illegal import of food products.
Controls there are fully automated: the systems automatically identify high-risk shipments and verify digital safety certificates. Violations are subject to massive fines—up to 10% of annual turnover—and concealing goods can result in up to five years of imprisonment with confiscation of the vehicle.
The government expects that these new measures will reduce the volume of illegal imports, ensure fair competition for Ukrainian producers, and increase revenue for the state budget.
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