Duty-free cars for the military: Rada prepares new rules with clear restrictions

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has registered draft laws No. 15194 and No. 15195, which provide for the granting of the right to personal import of cars without paying customs duties. The initiative is designed to solve the problem of the shortage of transport for the needs of the front and restore social justice for the military.

The documents propose to exempt military personnel from paying import duty, VAT and excise tax when importing vehicles. These include cars and trucks, motorcycles, trailers and other types of transport that can be used to perform official tasks.

The right to the benefit will be granted to military personnel mobilized after February 24, 2022, as well as contract workers who are serving at the time of importing the car. At the same time, it will be possible to use the mechanism both personally and through authorized persons.

At the same time, the draft laws contain a number of safeguards. In particular, a restriction is provided – one car per serviceman. In addition, the sale or transfer of such a vehicle to third parties is prohibited within three years after registration.

It is separately established that the benefit will not apply to expensive cars that are subject to transport tax. It is also prohibited to import cars from an aggressor state or temporarily occupied territories.

It is expected that the adoption of these changes will increase the mobility of units and reduce dependence on volunteer supplies, which currently remain the main source of transport for the front.