Second-hand imports may be banned in Ukraine

The Ministry of Social Policy is working on proposals to ban the import of second-hand goods to Ukraine. 
The Deputy Minister of Social Policy Oleg Koval said that at a briefing on Thursday, the Ukrinform correspondent reports.
"We will be proposing to ban the import of second-hand goods to Ukraine. We only allow, for example, diving equipment, special clothes for firefighters, and so on," – Koval said.
He specified that the respective proposals are being prepared jointly with the State Customs Service and the Reanimation Package of Reforms.
"We ask the government agencies to send letters to the Ministry of Social Policy that they are expecting humanitarian aid in a certain amount with a balance sheet. If we then check, then the relevant government officials will be punished. I will personally appeal to law enforcement agencies requesting to open criminal cases over such actions. I have already signed several appeals," – the Deputy Minister said.
He noted that nowadays it is a common practice in Ukraine to import into the territory of the country second-hand goods for sale without customs clearance under the guise of humanitarian aid.
"According to my calculations, the state loses about $ 2 million a week due to non-payment of customs duties. That is UAH 2 to 3 billion a year…", – Koval said when asked what the losses from non-payment of duties for the import of second-hand goods under the guise of humanitarian aid are.