Imports for defense, people to be exempt from VAT, duties, red tape - Zelensky

KYIV. March 19 (Interfax-Ukraine) - The Ukrainian government has prepared solutions for a complete reset of customs clearance procedures, which will liberalize and expedite imports to the utmost extent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address early on Saturday morning.

"Cargo will be brought in Ukraine as easily as the laws of physics will allow. We are fully scrapping red tape, all paperwork, as well as the VAT and duties, all customs duties," Zelensky said.

"The goal is crystal clear: the human factor should not interfere with the speed of supplies - we need the goods very much and right now," he said.

Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk and respective parliament committees are working to ensure parliament support for the innovations, Zelensky said.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Friday that a declarative principle would apply: those wishing to continue their operation in the general system will be paying VAT only, and the clearance will take no more than 15 minutes. Those wishing to bring goods to Ukraine without customs clearance will fill the cargo customs declaration in advance and cross the border, he said.

The government has adopted a relevant resolution, and the Verkhovna Rada should now exempt all goods imported by Ukraine from duties and the VAT as soon as possible, Shmyhal said.