The European Commission has recently agreed to temporarily waive import duties and VAT on life-saving goods for Ukrainians, currently affected by the war. Goods such as food, blankets, tents, electric generators and other life-saving equipment are considered part of the humanitarian aid provided by the EU member states to tackle the risk of hunger and disease. The provision will apply retroactively from 24 February 2022 and will be in place until 31 December 2022.

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The war has provoked massive displacement, mainly in Eastern Ukraine. Specialists believe that around 14 million people have left the proximity with the Russian borders and are now war refugees. This accounts for almost 30% of the Ukrainian population.

Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for Economy, said: “The war against Ukraine has caused untold suffering, but also showed the depths of EU solidarity. 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.”

The duty and VAT waiver applies to goods imported by:

• State organisations (public bodies and bodies governed by public law including hospitals, governmental organisations, regional governments, communes/towns, etc.)
• Charitable or philanthropic organisations approved by the competent authorities of the Member States.

EU customs legislation (Council Regulation (EC) No 1186/2009) provides for the possibility to grant duty relief for the benefit of disaster victims. As EU leaders have formally accepted Ukraine as a candidate to join the EU, Ukrainians can soon benefit from the numerous tax conditions granted by the EU commission.

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