The volume of passenger car imports into Ukraine, including cargo-passenger vans and racing cars (HS code 8703), amounted to $1.71 billion in January–May 2026, which is 16.6% less than the figure for the same period in 2025 ($2.05 billion).
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service of Ukraine, specifically in May, passenger car imports fell by 23.6% compared to May of last year, while compared to April 2026, they rose by 11.2% to $400.4 million.
The top three suppliers of passenger cars to Ukraine over the five-month period were the United States, Germany, and Japan, while in the previous year these were the same countries, but Germany was the largest exporter, followed by the United States and Japan. Specifically, car imports from the U.S. fell by 5.6% to $317.4 million, from Germany by nearly 30% to $272.6 million, while from Japan they rose by 7.3% to $246.9 million.
Imports of passenger cars from other countries during this period totaled $874.6 million—20.3% less than last year’s figure.
At the same time, over five months, Ukraine exported such vehicles worth only $0.99 million, whereas last year, total shipments to the UAE, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia amounted to $2.69 million.
As reported, in 2025, passenger cars worth nearly $6.15 billion were imported into Ukraine, which is 40.2% more than in 2024. The top three exporters were the United States, Germany, and China. Cars worth $10.1 million were exported (2.7 times less).
The significant increase in passenger car imports to Ukraine in the final months of 2025 was driven by news that VAT exemptions on electric vehicle imports would be abolished as of January 1, 2026, while imports had declined significantly since the start of the current year. However, starting in March, a slow but gradual recovery of the passenger car market began, including the market for electric vehicles.
CAR MARKET, IMPORTS, PASSENGER CARS, STATE CUSTOMS SERVICE, UKRAINE
In January–May 2026, Ukraine increased its imports of ferrous metals by 6.3% compared to the same period last year, reaching $704.807 million.
According to statistics from the State Customs Service, $194.364 million worth of ferrous metals were imported into Ukraine in May of this year.
The growth in imports against the backdrop of declining export revenues reflects the continued demand in the domestic market for metal products and raw materials, as well as a shift in the structure of foreign trade in metallurgical products.
As reported, by the end of 2025, Ukraine increased its imports of ferrous metals by 12.9%—to $1.669544 billion. In 2024, imports of similar products rose by 13.1%—to $1.478814 billion.
In January–May 2026, Ukraine increased its imports of metal products by 12.3% compared to the same period last year, reaching $464.694 million.
According to statistics from the State Customs Service, $109.894 million worth of metal products were imported into the country in May of this year.
Thus, for the January-May period, imports of metal products exceeded exports of these products: $464.694 million versus $351.285 million.
As reported, in 2025 Ukraine increased imports of metal products by 24.4% compared to the previous year—to $1.290608 billion.
Imports of electric generator sets and rotating electrical converters into Ukraine in January–April 2026 fell by 30.4% compared to the same period in 2025—to $359.1 million, according to statistics from the State Customs Service.
According to the data, imports of this equipment in April fell by 27.4% compared to April 2025 and by 23.3% compared to March 2026, reaching $60.3 million.
Most frequently in January–April, electric generators and converters were imported from the Czech Republic (19.6% of total exports of these products, or $70.3 million), China (18.7%, $67.2 million), and Romania (8%, $64.8 million), whereas last year they were the Czech Republic ($93.7 million), Austria ($80.3 million), and the United States ($77.3 million).
Exports of electric generators from Ukraine during this period were insignificant—$0.8 million, mainly to Turkey.
At the same time, according to data from the State Customs Service, imports of electric batteries and separators to Ukraine increased nearly fourfold over the first four months of this year—to $1.137 billion, with the majority coming from China ($1 billion, or 89.3%), as well as from the Czech Republic ($26.6 million) and Poland ($13.3 million).
Last year during this period, the largest suppliers were China with a 78.4% share ($226 million), Taiwan with 5.3% ($12.3 million), and Bulgaria with 4.1% ($12 million).
In April, imports of this equipment increased 4.3-fold compared to April 2025 and by 7.6% compared to March 2026, reaching $303.5 million.
Over the first four months, Ukraine exported $14.8 million worth of batteries, mainly to Poland ($4.2 million), France ($2.4 million), and Germany ($2.2 million), whereas last year exports totaled $17.1 million, of which 27.9% went to Poland, 15.9% to France, and 11.3% to Germany.
As reported, at the end of July 2024, Ukraine exempted imports of electric generator equipment and batteries into Ukraine from customs duties and VAT.
According to the State Customs Service, in 2025 Ukraine increased imports of electric generators and converters by 2.3 times compared to 2024—to $1.69 billion—and batteries by 55% to $1.48 billion. At the same time, in January 2025, imports of electric generators increased eightfold compared to January 2024, and imports of batteries tripled.
Between May 11 and 17, Ukraine increased electricity imports by 50% compared to the previous week—to 81,700 MWh—while exports fell by 23%—to 17,700 MWh, the DIXI Group analytical center reported on Tuesday, citing data from Energy Map.
“Throughout the week, Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. In particular, on May 13–14, another massive attack on energy facilities took place, leading to power outages in a number of regions,” the center noted.
Against this backdrop, daily import volumes rose significantly: on May 13 to 15,200 MWh (+78% compared to May 12) and on May 14 to 16,000 MWh (+87% compared to May 12).
At the same time, sunny weather at the beginning and end of the workweek facilitated active operation of residential solar power plants and reduced the load on the power grid. In the middle of the week, consumption increased due to deteriorating weather conditions. Despite this, domestic generation and imports fully covered consumer demand without the need for restrictions.
According to Energy Map, Hungary accounted for the largest share of imports last week—46.5 thousand MWh, or 57%. Poland accounted for 18.4 thousand MWh, or 23%, Romania – 16.7 thousand MWh, or 20%, and Moldova – 0.1 thousand MWh (<0.1%).
Electricity imports increased across all sources by 14–80%. Additionally, on May 13–14, after a week-long hiatus, imports from Moldova resumed in small volumes—0.06 thousand MWh between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM. There were no imports from Slovakia during the week.
As reported, between May 4 and 10, Ukraine reduced electricity imports by 63%—to 54.6 thousand MWh, and in April—by 41%,—to 558.3 thousand MWh.
Imports of transformers, inductors, and chokes into Ukraine in January–April 2026 increased by 96% compared to the same period in 2025—reaching $661.9 million, according to statistics from the State Customs Service.
According to the published data, imports of these products in April, in particular, rose 2.7-fold compared to April of last year, but fell by 34% compared to March of this year—to $150.5 million.
China remains the largest supplier of these products to Ukraine. Over four months, $611 million worth was imported (92.3% of total imports of these goods), while a year earlier, $279 million worth of transformers and chokes was imported from this country (82.4%).
In addition, transformers were imported from Turkey ($7.2 million) and Japan ($6.5 million), while last year imports from Germany amounted to $17.4 million and from Turkey to $13.9 million.
Furthermore, the State Customs Service reported that in January–April, Ukraine exported transformers, inductors, and chokes worth $13.3 million (compared to $8.4 million last year), primarily supplying them to Germany, Poland, and Hungary.
Imports of electric generating sets and rotating electrical converters into Ukraine in January–April 2026 decreased by 30.4% compared to the same period in 2025, down to $359.1 million, according to statistics from the State Customs Service.
According to the data, in April alone, imports of this equipment fell by 27.4% compared to April 2025 and by 23.3% compared to March 2026, to $60.3 million.
As reported with reference to the State Customs Service, in 2025, imports of transformers, inductors, and chokes into Ukraine rose by 88% compared to 2024—to $1.12 billion. At the same time, imports from China were 2.3 times higher—amounting to $957.3 million.
Since the beginning of last year, the volume of transformer imports has significantly exceeded the levels of the year before last. In particular, imports increased sixfold in January, but the growth rate gradually slowed, and in January 2026, it fell by nearly 23% compared to January 2025—to $98.6 million.
At the end of July 2024, Ukraine exempted imports of electric generator equipment and batteries into the country from customs duties and VAT.
According to the State Customs Service, in 2025 Ukraine increased imports of electric generators and converters by 2.3 times compared to 2024—to $1.69 billion—and batteries by 55% to $1.48 billion. At the same time, in January 2025, imports of electric generators increased eightfold compared to January 2024, and imports of batteries tripled.
