Shipping to Ukraine From the US

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Over 42% of internet users in Ukraine shop online. If you are a US-based business planning to expand into new markets, Ukraine presents a lucrative opportunity.

Among the many things Ukranians buy online, some of the most high-demand products are apparel, electronics, appliances, home and garden products, cosmetics, and food and beverage.


This guide provides information on how to ship a package from the US to Ukraine, plus tips on how ecommerce brands can better plan international shipping logistics with ShipBob.

Cost & delivery speeds for shipping to Ukraine from the US

Choosing the perfect courier is dependent on your shipping strategy. Several businesses want their goods delivered as soon as possible, while others are more price-sensitive and flexible on delivery timelines.

To optimise your shipping strategy, it is also essential to be aware of the many shipping options available from US couriers. USPS, UPS, DHL, and FedEx are all top couriers that make for reliable choices.

The following rates have been calculated using each courier’s unique pricing calculators for a standard example of a 2.125 lbs package in February 2022. Actual prices are subject to change. 

Note: These are general options for consumers’ shipping orders. To know what ShipBob offers when shipping to other countries like Ukraine, please request a quote here.

ShipBob’s exact rates for customers will vary as we charge an all-in “total fulfilment cost that includes picking, packing, and shipping, among other factors.

ServicePrice*Delivery Time
USPSFirst-Class Package International Service$46.4018-27 business days
USPSPriority Mail International$56.7611-21 business days
USPSPriority Mail Express International$74.664-8 business days
UPSWorldwide Expedited$40.062-5 business days
UPSUPS Worldwide Saver$181.603-4 business days
FedExInternational Economy$143.214-5 business days
FedExInternational Priority$153.412-3 business days
DHLExpress Worldwide$50.2310-15 business days 

*USPS prices here reflect flat rate box shipping pricing.

How to choose a shipping courier

Shipping to another country can be a daunting task. To make this process easier it is important that you choose from the best and most reliable couriers.

Below is a list of the pros and cons of the top four shipping couriers.

This should come in handy when you want to weigh your options and make a sound decision.

Couriers

Pros

Cons

USPS
  • Enjoy flat rate shipping services, which makes sending heavy packages affordable 
  • Significant US-wide presence for convenient parcel drop-offs
  • Offers free Saturday deliver
  • Delays in delivery and poor handling of shipment can be expected
  • Inaccurate last-mile delivery tracking
FedEx
  • Simplifies order management with real-time order tracking
  • Offers free access to customer care agents to address shipping concerns
  • Offers free shipping
  • No free parcel pick-up 
  • Fewer offices across the US makes it difficult to drop off parcels
UPS
  • Lots of convenient drop-off points across the US 
  • Free customs clearance support
  • Reliable last-mile tracking
  • More expensive shipping fees along with surcharges and other fees 
  • No free pick-up service
  • Charges for Saturday delivery
DHL
  • Good for businesses that wish to ship orders sustainably 
  • Insures international shipments 
  • No pickup fees levied
  • Limited presence in the US makes parcel drop-offs inconvenient
  • High shipping costs and surcharges as compared to USPS

Shipping to Ukraine from the US with USPS

USPS offers US-based retailers a strong delivery platform and straightforward pricing. The courier ships to over 180 international countries, including Ukraine.

Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) is its quickest and most expensive shipping option. The service comes with date-certain delivery and a money-back guarantee.

Meanwhile, First-Class Mail International is their most affordable option, though it is only meant for sending letters, postcards, and other small packages.

When to use USPS to ship from the US to Ukraine

Choose USPS when you are not pressed for time and need more affordable choices. The courier has flat rate options that make sending heavy packages to Ukraine more affordable. 

The USPS Priority Mail Express International strikes a balance between delivery time frame and cost affordability and delivers to Ukraine in 3 to 5 business days.

Shipping to Ukraine from the US with UPS

UPS with its heritage of over 115 years is a leading global courier. It has a strong presence across 220+ countries and is the world’s largest customs broker. 

UPS’s 24/7 international customer helpline, free customs support, and timely delivery are all reasons to trust it with your shipments to Ukraine.

When to use UPS to ship from the US to Ukraine

UPS Worldwide Expedited is its cheapest international option available for shipping to Ukraine.

On the other hand, UPS Worldwide Express is a more expensive option that offers a definitive date and time for delivery.

If you are looking for reliable and fast delivery, and want increased customs support, UPS could be your preferred courier.

Shipping to Ukraine from the US with FedEx

FedEx offers a wide footprint across the US. Of the 220 countries it ships to internationally, Ukraine is also one. 

There are helpful options provided by FedEx such as the International Shipping Assist tool which simplifies shipping needs for businesses that engage regularly.

When to use FedEx to ship from the US to Ukraine

If you are an ecommerce merchant or an individual that wants fast delivery, last-mile tracking and like their packages insured, FedEx might be the courier for you. 

It offers two options to ship to Ukraine, FedEx International Economy, and FedEx International Priority.

While these options are priced higher than other couriers, its international shipping is reliable and it delivers guidance to help process shipments through customs swiftly. 

Shipping to Ukraine from the US with DHL

With a strong group network, DHL makes it reliable to ship internationally to over 220 countries including Ukraine.

Its US presence is not matched with other couriers but it still is a trusted leader in logistics across the globe. 

This German courier is also committed to green logistics and is environmentally conscious.

When to use DHL to ship from the US to Ukraine

If the need for your business is to deliver fast and dependably, DHL would make for a great choice.

Its services are fairly expensive when compared to other couriers, but the door-to-door service that DHL offers enables smooth and stress-free shipping. 

Also, the environment-friendly practices that DHL has adopted could be of significant value to retail businesses that are committed to going green.

Duties & taxes when shipping to Ukraine from the US

You can easily ship goods worth up to 100 EUR in one day to Ukraine without paying any additional tax. But for goods valued over this threshold value, a 20% VAT is charged on the amount exceeding 100 EUR.

Additionally, customs duty is levied on imports to Ukraine. This is calculated using the CIF method which is a percentage of the goods’ value and the shipment’s cost. Irrespective of the total invoice amount, custom duty is levied on all permissible excise goods.

Below is a list of products that attract import duty by Ukraine’s customs authorities:

Custom Duty % Description 
20%Dry fruits and supplements
12%Fashion and watches
0%Computers, mobiles, and tablets
20%Sports
6.5%Health and beauty
0%Toys, home decor, books, and collectibles

Note: No duty is charged on goods below 100 EUR.

You may also be required to pay excise tax in addition to the import duties. This is applied to certain products such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, fuel, automobiles, and more. 

Please note that importing excisable goods in Ukraine is permissible only to legal entities, and a license is required for the same. 

Ukraine customs information

Once your international shipment reaches Ukraine’s customs department, connect with a customs broker to make required duty payments. Also, submit essential documents such as invoices and freight declarations.

After the necessary duties have been collected, the customs department would typically release the goods to your customers.

You can find out more about the country’s customs department and its processes on the officialwebsite.

Prohibited items when shipping to Ukraine

Every country adheres to a list of items that are prohibited from being imported. When shipping to Ukraine, it is best to review these items to avoid unnecessary delays and hold-ups. 

Find below a list of some of these prohibited items: 

Items you can’t ship to Ukraine from the US

Drugs
Animals
Electronic cigarette and vaping products
Firearms 
Employment records
Currency
Products made in Iran

Some goods fall in the restricted articles category and may require special documentation and permits before shipping.

Therefore, it is advised to check the official Ukraine customs website before shipping as the restricted and prohibited items list is subject to change.

What ecommerce businesses need to know about shipping to Ukraine

Ecommerce growth in Ukraine is one of thehighest in all of Central and Eastern European countries, with user penetration expected to reach47.1% in 2022.

Here are some tips to attract more customers and further your business.

1. Capitalise on the “made in the USA” tag

The “made in the USA” tag is known to increase consumer interest and confidence. But US-based finished goods are not widely available in the Ukrainian market. As a business from the US, it is an opportunity for you to use this strong reputation to your advantage.

2. Protect your intellectual property rights

Having US patent rights and trademark registration does not give your business rights in Ukraine. To protect your intellectual property rights, you need to file a patent with UkrPatent.

Counterfeit goods are also an area of concern for trademark holders. Ukraine’s State Customs Service keeps a record of trademarks, which it uses when seizing counterfeit goods at the border. 

To avoid any unnecessary delays at the border and safeguard your brand, you must record your trademark with Ukrainian Customs.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Finance allows for online recordation of trademarks with customs and enables the communication between business owners and custom officials via IT platforms.

3. Communicate in the local language

In early 2020, the government of Ukraine mandated that all advertising must use itsofficial language.

Foreign broadcasting organisations are only allowed to advertise in the official languages of the EU along with Ukrainian. And the majority of the country’s residents are also not very fluent in English

Armed with this information, be sure to use the local language as the primary mode of communication and promotion of your brand in Ukraine.

4. Offer robust after-sales support

Ukrainians are increasingly expecting better warranties and after-sale services.

While the standards of after-sales service there are not as high as in the US,  consumers expect robust product warranties and strong customer support. The quality of this support can be a determining factor in acquiring and retaining customers.

There must be a reimbursement period if the product is returned and an exchange period in the event the product malfunctions. Especially for technically sophisticated goods such as:

  • Personal communication devices
  • Household and computing devices
  • Medical devices


 

Outsource shipping and logistics to a 3PL like ShipBob

To offer customers across the world a remarkable brand experience, consider partnering with an international 3PL like ShipBob.

Selling internationally can be challenging, time-consuming, and costly. But with ShipBob, you’re given everything you need to serve customers across the globe while saving time on logistics. 

We not only take care of picking, packing, and shipping your orders to Ukraine, we also offer upfront fulfilment costs that include customs, duties, and additional taxes.

By partnering with ShipBob, you eliminate the need to manage retail fulfilment, logistics operations, and hire labour.

Working with ShipBob can actually turn logistics and warehousing into a revenue driver because you can increase sales and offer the shipping options, transit times, and delivery speeds that customers want.

The best part about partnering with ShipBob is you get time back to focus on more strategic initiatives, such as customer service and marketing.

“ShipBob also provides tracking, even for international orders, and helps with overseas customs. Through ShipBob, I can use DHL and other services to help meet customers halfway.”

Lee Nania, Founder of SubSubmarine


Ready to start shipping to Ukraine from the US? Get started with ShipBob. 

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Shipping to Ukraine FAQs

Here are answers to the top questions about shipping from the US to Ukraine.

What’s the cheapest way to ship to Ukraine from the US?

USPS’ First-Class Package International Service is one of the cheapest ways to ship from the US to Ukraine. But it does not give any certainty on the delivery time. The shipment could take anywhere between 1 to 4 weeks to reach the destination.

What’s the cheapest way to ship large packages to Ukraine from the US?

USPS’s flat rate box options are the most affordable when shipping large packages (of up to 20 pounds) to Ukraine and your package is likely to reach the destination between 6-10 business days.

What’s the fastest way to ship a package to Ukraine from the US?

FedEx International Priority, USPS Global Express Guaranteed (GXG), and USPS GXG Envelopes all claim to deliver shipments from the US to Ukraine within 1 to 3 business days.

Do I have to pay customs duties and fees when shipping to Ukraine from the US?

No duty is charged on goods below the invoice value of 100 EUR. For merchandise above this value, a 20% VAT is levied and applicable duties are charged. Custom duties vary for different categories of goods. Irrespective of the invoice value, permissible excise goods attract custom duties and taxes. 

What’s the easiest way to ship something to Ukraine from the US?

UPS with its customs assistance, fast delivery, and reliability makes for a convenient option to ship to Ukraine. Easy pick-up and drop-off options are provided by the courier for your ease.