On June 6, 2025, the “customs visa-free” regime between Ukraine and the European Union, which ensures quota-free and duty-free trade, will expire. This regime was introduced in 2022 to support the Ukrainian economy amid Russia’s full-scale invasion. Currently, Ukraine is actively working to influence the EU’s decision to ensure a smooth transition to new trade conditions for Ukrainian exporters.
Deputy Minister of Economy Taras Kachka stated during the event “Trade Wars: The Art of Defense” that Ukraine, together with the European Union, is negotiating a revision of Article 29 of the Association Agreement, aiming to expand access for Ukrainian goods to the EU market.
Kachka emphasized that even if legal changes are made, actual market access will not change, at least during the negotiations on new parameters for the liberalization of goods trade that are not yet fully liberalized. “During this period, no problems with access to the EU market are expected. However, the situation remains less optimistic compared to other areas of cooperation with the European Union,” he added.
Overall, the deputy minister believes that the end of the “customs visa-free” regime will not have a significant impact on the Ukrainian economy. This regime was important in 2022 when Russia blocked Ukrainian ports. “Now, with ports operating and all exports heading to third countries passing through our ports, we do not have such transit pressure. Therefore, the autonomous trade measures that previously helped are no longer as relevant,” Kachka explained.
If the “customs visa-free” regime is not extended, Ukraine will return to the free trade regime that was in place before June 2022. The deputy minister described this possibility as the “worst-case scenario.”
He noted: “The free trade regime is quite advantageous since there were and will be no tariffs on industrial goods. The same applies to most agricultural products. But it is obvious that for the goods that are most interesting and at the same time very sensitive for us, autonomous trade measures significantly helped. They not only improved market access but also facilitated transit.”
