EU Bound Ukraine Advances Core Customs Legislation

(KYIV, UKRAINE) – Ukraine’s government has approved the new Customs Code for a second time and submitted it to parliament, restarting a legislative process seen as central to the country’s European integration path.

The Cabinet of Ministers took the decision during a session on 27 July. Prime Minister Sergiy Koretskyi said the move restores a substantive dialogue with lawmakers on the draft law. “Today the government reapproved this draft and submitted it to the Verkhovna Rada, as required by law,” Koretskyi wrote on Telegram.

The new version of the Customs Code is designed to transform Ukraine’s customs service into a modern, European style security border. The draft had to be resubmitted because a new Cabinet of Ministers was formed, which meant the previous bill was considered withdrawn.

Ukraine had reached 96 percent completion of its customs commitments under the Association Agreement with the European Union by the start of 2026. The country has also agreed an updated reform timetable and additional policy commitments with the International Monetary Fund.