The saturated market of Ukraine and its geographical location make our country an attractive market for foreign goods. However, importing goods to Ukraine is a complex process that requires knowledge of legislation, international relations, and customs clearance procedures. These and other issues were discussed by the founder of the Club of Experts Maxim Urakin and the President of the Ukrainian Exporters Club Yevheniia Lytvynova in a new video on the YouTube channel “Club of Experts”.
According to Maksym Urakin, before starting to import goods, it is necessary to conduct a detailed analysis of the market and legislation of Ukraine and the exporting country, as well as calculate all costs associated with delivery, customs clearance and taxes.
“This will help you draw up a clear action plan and avoid unpleasant situations during the import process,” the expert emphasized.
Yevheniia Lytvynova, President of the Ukrainian Exporters Club, also emphasizes the need to research the market and check the reputation of potential suppliers.
“Market research and checking the reputation of potential partners can help you find a reliable supplier,” she said.
According to Yevheniia Lytvynova, successful import of goods requires a thorough analysis of all aspects of the importer’s future business strategy.
“Before you start importing goods, you need to conduct a detailed analysis of the market, legal requirements and your capabilities, as well as calculate all the costs associated with delivery, customs clearance and taxes. This will help you draw up a clear plan of action and avoid unpleasant situations during the import process,” emphasized Lytvynova.
Regarding the documents to be prepared for importing goods, Lytvynova noted that the contract between the importer and exporter, invoice, transportation document (e.g., waybill or bill of lading), quality certificate and certificate of origin should be put in the forefront.
“In addition to these basic documents, additional documents may be required depending on the characteristics of the goods and the requirements of Ukrainian legislation. In particular, licenses, certificates of conformity, permits and other documents confirming compliance with safety, hygiene, environmental requirements, etc. may be required,” she explained.
Maksym Urakin also emphasized that studying local legislation and choosing a reliable supplier are also very important steps in the import process. According to the experts, in order to successfully sell goods in Ukraine, it is also necessary to take into account the difficulties that may arise after their delivery.
“Even if the goods are of high quality and interesting, they still need to be sold. But here in Ukraine, even after obtaining certificates and relevant permits, sales can be restricted due to various customs barriers, which leads to breach of contract. Therefore, we advise our companies to conduct a detailed analysis of the market and legal requirements. This will allow them to prepare the right documentation and comply with all requirements,” said Yevgeniya Lytvynova.
To increase export sales, experts recommend improving product quality and providing buyers with more information about their goods.
“Nowadays, many buyers check the quality of goods and their compliance with standards. If your products don’t meet the requirements, they simply won’t buy them,” emphasized Maksym Urakin.
In this regard, experts advise to focus on developing the quality of goods and their competitiveness. In addition, according to Maxim Urakin, it is important to participate in international exhibitions and forums where you can find new partners and establish contacts with potential suppliers.
Thus, according to the experts, it is very important to comply with all the requirements and norms set by law when importing goods, conduct a detailed market analysis and check the reputation of suppliers. It is also important to ensure the quality of goods and timely delivery, while considering all possible risks and costs. Importing goods can be a very profitable business if you organize it properly. Experienced experts advise to study the market and determine your capabilities to avoid unpleasant situations and ensure successful business development.
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EXPERTS, EXPERTS CLUB, EXPORT, EXPORTERS CLUB, IMPORT, IMPORT_PRODUCTS, LITVINOVA, URAKIN
The Lithuanian government may help Ukraine export up to 1 million tons of grain by rail after Poland temporarily banned grain imports from Ukraine, said Lithuanian Economy and Innovation Minister Ausrini Armonaitė.
“The port of Klaipeda and Lithuanian Railways can play an important role in creating momentum to help Poland resolve the situation and guarantee grain exports outside the EU. Lithuania could help safely transport up to 1 million tons of grain from Ukraine by rail. This would be a real solution for Ukraine and a benefit for Poland,” Verslo zinios quoted the minister as saying.
In turn, the president of the Association of Lithuanian Sea Cargo Companies Vaidotas Shileyko noted that the port of Klaipeda is able to process more than 1 million tons of grain a year, but because of the difficult logistics, it is impossible to import more.
“Lithuanian railroads started transporting small volumes of Ukrainian grain through Poland to the port of Klaipeda last May. The main problem here is different railway gauges: Ukraine and Lithuania still use Russian gauges, while Poland uses European ones, which means that rolling stock has to be changed at the border,” he explained.
Dynamics of prices for main agricultural products in structure of Ukraine’s export in 2020-2022
Source: Open4Business.com.ua and experts.news
Ukraine in January-March this year, Ukraine increased exports of sunflower oil by 14.5% – to 1 million 322.611 thousand tons. According to customs statistics, in monetary terms, exports of these products in the first quarter decreased by 13.6% – to $1 billion 355.889 million ($1 billion 568.449 million in 1Q2022).
During this period, the export of soybean oil increased by 36.6% – to 78,091 thousand tons, in monetary terms increased by 1.6% – to $77.689 million.
In 2022, Ukraine reduced exports of sunflower oil by 16.4% to $4 billion 290.336 million, in monetary terms – by 14.5% to $5 billion 464.151 million.
Soybean oil exports in 2022 were 237,025 thousand tons, down 1.7% from 20211. In monetary terms, exports rose by 3.2% to $304.685 million.
Ukraine in January-March this year exported 99 tonnes of pork, which is 54.7% more than in the same period last year (64 tonnes).
According to customs statistics, in monetary terms, the export of these products for the first quarter increased by 3.5 times – up to $274,000 ($78,000 in the first quarter of 2022).
Pork imports in January-March 2023 decreased by 4.3 times – to 3,162 tonnes from 13,746 tonnes, and in monetary terms, the decline was four times – to $6.291 million.
At the same time, according to customs statistics, the supply of poultry meat and offal abroad in the first quarter of 2023 increased by 20% – up to 104,121 tonnes, and in monetary terms, the growth was 3.5% – up to $180.022 million.
During this period, imports decreased in physical terms by 22.3% – to 15,482 tonnes, in monetary terms – by 28.2%, to $8.372 million.
Ukraine in 2022 reduced the supply of pork to foreign markets by 13 times – to 293 tonnes, while imports of this product amounted to 46,934 tonnes (an increase of 15.5%).
In 2022, the country reduced the export of poultry meat and offal by 10%, to 413,197 tonnes. Imports of these products decreased by 37.6% compared to 2021, to 74,746 tonnes.
Ukraine on April 17, may start exporting electricity to Slovakia in the amount of 200 MW per hour, said NEC “Ukrenergo”.
According to its message in the Telegram channel on Saturday, the relevant auction for the allocation of capacity of interstate sections in the direction of Slovakia was held today for the delivery date of April 17.
The auction allocated 100 percent of the available capacity on that direction to four bidders.
According to Ukrenergo’s auction platform, DTEK Zakhidenergo (115-135 MW per hour), DE Trading (47-49 MW per hour, Le Trading Ukraine (5-20 MW per 18 hours), TES (20 MW per hour) shared all 200 MW of the section.
At the same time, for the first time since the opening of exports since April 11, the companies did not just book the section, but competed on the price for it. As a result, the minimum price per MWh was 307.5 UAH/MWh, while the maximum was 1.3 thou UAH/MWh.
In total, companies in 24 hours on Monday have to pay almost 3.4 million UAH for the cross-section to Poland.
At the same time, electricity exports to Moldova rose by 59.2% on Saturday to 1,777 MWh, and to Poland, after a two-day break, to 1,775 MWh per day, according to data on the website of the continental European Network of System Operators ENTSO-E.
According to the information on the website, supplies to Moldova will be carried out 18 hours a day with a minimum of 99 MW and a maximum of 130 MW, while supplies to Poland will be 75 MW at all hours, except for the first hour of the day, which was 50 MW.
As of April 15, 289-290 MW of the offered 650 MW of the hourly capacity of the section to Moldova were booked by 6 companies: Ukrhydroenergo PJSC (100 MW for each hour), D. Trading (99 MW per hour), Artlex Energy (40 MW per hour), DE Trading (30 MW per hour), ERU Trading (20 MW per hour) and EES (1 MW per 4 hours). The state energy trader “EKU”, which used to book 150 MW per hour for several days, did not participate in the auction this time.
As reported, exports to Moldova were 150 MWh on April 11, 497 MWh per day on April 12, 965 MWh on April 13 and 1116 MWh on April 14. Poland has so far only been supplied with 1,625 MWh on April 12. At that time, DTEK Zakhidenergo reserved all of the offered 75 MWh per hour.
After a break on April 13-14, this company booked the same capacity for April 15.
The Ministry of Energy resumed electricity exports by a decision of April 7, after which the NEC Ukrenergo began auctioning cross-section capacity for exports to Moldova and Poland, and decided to open exports to Slovakia.
The Ministry of Energy notes that the export will be carried out in conditions of a surplus of electric power and only if the priority of supplies to Ukrainian consumers is observed. Exports have been halted since October 11 after the start of massive attacks on the energy system.
The maximum throughput allowed by ENTSO-E for electricity exports to Europe is 400 MW. “Ukrenergo is working with its European colleagues on the possibility of increasing this volume.
