Future changes from May 2, 2027
From May 2, 2027, new rules for state market surveillance and control of non-food products are expected to apply in Ukraine. They are important for manufacturers, importers, marketplaces, online stores and companies using fulfilment services.
| No. | Change | Current approach | From May 2, 2027 | Practical meaning for business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E-commerce and distance sales | The law was mainly focused on offline trade. | New terms are introduced: “online interface”, “information society service provider” and “fulfilment service provider”. Market surveillance authorities receive direct powers to inspect products sold online. | Marketplaces, hosting providers and fulfilment centres will be responsible for products together with sellers and will have to cooperate with surveillance authorities. |
| 2 | Mandatory Ukrainian resident representative | Foreign manufacturers could sell products to Ukrainian consumers without a local representative. | Products covered by EU-aligned technical regulations may be placed on the market only if there is a responsible Ukrainian resident: a manufacturer, importer, authorised representative or fulfilment provider. | The product, packaging or documents will have to state the name, trademark and postal address of the responsible resident. Foreign businesses will need a local partner; otherwise, customs clearance may be stopped. |
| 3 | New inspection methods | Inspections were mainly open and visible to the business. | Inspectors will be able to take control samples without prior notice, including through online orders, and technically examine products to identify hidden defects. | A business will not always know that a product is being purchased for inspection. If the product is unsafe or non-compliant, the business may have to reimburse the state for the sample and examination costs. |
| 4 | Content removal and access restrictions | Unsafe products were mainly restricted physically: penalties, withdrawal from warehouses or sales bans. | If unsafe products are sold online and the seller does not respond to requirements, the market surveillance authority may require a marketplace or hosting provider to remove product information or restrict access to the online interface. | Ignoring orders may lead to product cards being removed or online store operations being restricted. Platforms will have to respond quickly to non-compliant sellers. |
| 5 | Stronger customs control based on checklists | Customs control of non-food products was based on general information exchange rules. | Customs will apply special checklists prepared by market surveillance authorities and suspend clearance if there is no conformity mark, it is applied incorrectly, or details of the Ukrainian resident representative are missing. | The risk of border delays will increase. An error in product marking or the absence of a paper or electronic declaration of conformity may stop clearance for up to 4 working days, with possible extension for examination. After customs release, the importer may also have to store the goods and not sell them until checks are completed. |
| 6 | Inspection deadlines and translation of technical documentation | Providing documents could be delayed. | Deadlines are introduced: up to 4 working days for a distributor or fulfilment provider and up to 5 working days for a manufacturer or importer. If technical documentation is in a foreign language, the inspector may require translation into Ukrainian, with up to 30 working days for this. | Inspections will become faster, but business costs may increase. It is advisable to prepare Ukrainian versions of technical passports, instructions and other technical documents in advance. |
Practical takeaway: importers, manufacturers and online sellers should check in advance their product marking, details of the responsible Ukrainian resident, declarations of conformity, Ukrainian-language technical documentation and procedures for working with marketplaces and fulfilment centres.