European Commission waives customs duties, VAT on importation of critical goods for Ukrainians

MOSCOW. July 1 (Interfax) - The European Commission has allowed EU member states to temporarily waive customs duties and VAT on the importation of food, blankets, tents, electric generators and other critical goods for Ukrainians from third countries.

"This measure will help Member States to come to the aid of Ukrainians both in the EU and still in their home country, by facilitating the delivery of life-saving humanitarian goods. It is absolutely the right thing to do," Ukrainian media outlets quoted European Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni as saying in a statement on the European Commission website on Friday.

The measure will apply retroactively from February 24, 2022, until December 31, 2022.

The duty and VAT waiver applies to goods imported by state organizations (public bodies and bodies governed by public law including hospitals, governmental organizations, regional governments, communes/towns, etc.) and charitable or philanthropic organizations approved by the competent authorities of the member states.

Over 14 million Ukrainians, or 30% of the Ukrainian population, have been relocated by the latest events. More than 6.2 million Ukrainians headed to the EU, and nearly 8 million people fled their homes but stayed in Ukraine.