Main imports
Ukraine’s main imports are energy, machinery, equipment and chemicals. Agricultural products account for almost 8% of Ukraine’s imports while manufactured products account for 59.6% and fuels and mining for 31.5% (figures for 2006).
Trading partners
Ukraine’s main trading partners are the EC, Russia, Turkey, Belarus and the US.
Commitments contained in the Working Party report
Privatization: Ukraine will provide regular reports to WTO Members on the developments of its privatization program and on other issues related to its economic reforms.
State owned enterprises: Upon accession, Ukraine’s laws governing trading activities of state-owned enterprises will fully conform to the WTO provisions. All state-owned enterprises will operate on a commercial basis. Within one year of accession, Ukraine will notify and provide information on the activities of these companies to the WTO.
Pricing policies: Price controls will be applied in accordance with WTO principles and will take into account the interest of exporting WTO members.
Upon accession, Ukraine will not apply mandatory minimum prices on imported products.
All rail transportation fees will be applied on a non-discriminatory basis.
Ukraine will continue to publish a list of goods and services for which prices are determined by the government.
Policy-making and enforcement framework: Ukraine will uniformly implement WTO provisions and the protocol of accession on its whole territory. Upon accession, Ukraine will provide for the right to appeal administrative rulings on WTO matters to an independent tribunal.
Trading rights (the right to import and export): Registration fees for medicines, pesticides and agricultural chemicals, as well as licensing fees for the import and export of alcohol beverages and tobacco products, will be in compliance with WTO requirements and will be brought to the level of the cost of services provided.
Individuals and companies wishing to import/export will not be required to have physical presence or investments in Ukraine and will only need to register with the relevant authorities.
Fees and charges for services rendered: Ukraine will apply fees according to WTO principles and information regarding these fees will be provided to WTO members upon request.
Internal taxes (VAT and excise tax): Domestic taxes will be applied in a non-discriminatory manner to imports from WTO members and to domestically produced goods.
Quantitative import restrictions, import licensing: Upon accession, Ukraine will eliminate and not introduce, re-introduce or apply quantitative restrictions on imports or other non-tariff measures that could not be justified under the WTO Agreement.
Ukraine will not introduce a ban on ground beef that could not be justified under WTO rules and will maintain transparent and science based standards for trade in this product.
Ukraine will eliminate the import ban on buses, trucks and cars older than eight years.
Ukraine will implement its import licensing procedures in conformity with the WTO Agreement.
Customs valuation: Full implementation of the Custom Valuation Agreement upon accession
Rules of origin: Full implementation of the Rules of Origin Agreement upon accession
Other custom formalities: An expert opinion of the Chamber of Commerce regarding the classification of goods will no longer be required to obtain import or export licenses.
Pre-shipment inspections: If introduced, pre-shipment inspections will be temporary and will comply with the WTO rules.
Anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguard regimes: Upon accession, Ukraine will amend its trade remedies legislation so that such measures will only be applied in conformity with WTO rules.
