Entering Ukraine

Like many other countries, Ukraine has special entry procedures for foreign citizens. These include presentation of valid travel documents and permits to enter the country, such as visas. As of January 2007 Ukraine had visa-free regimes with the following countries: member countries of the EU, Switzerland, the Vatican, The Principality of Monaco, Canada, the US, Japan and South Korea. Citizens of these countries do not require a visa if they enter the territory of Ukraine for the period of up to 90 days. In case a visa is required, a foreign citizen should present a valid national (or for foreign trips) passport, an invitation from a physical person or from an organization in Ukraine (unless otherwise specified by agreements between the countries) along with payment of the consular fee to the nearest Consulate or Embassy of Ukraine. A detailed information can be obtained from the Ukrainian consulates abroad.

Customs Control

When entering Ukraine one should also observe the customs regulations and follow the customs procedures.

When arriving in Ukraine a traveler can go through the Green or Red Corridor in the customs zone.
A traveler can go through the Green Corridor, which does not require a filled in customs declaration, when he/she does not possess:
- any bank metals
- weapons, explosive, narcotic, psychotropic, poisonous, or virulent substances or drugs
- radioactive materials
- objects of antiquity or art, musical equipment
- printed materials, audio and audio-visual materials, and other information storage devices
- objects of flora and fauna, their parts and products produced from them
- goods total value of which does not exceed 200 EUR
- has a delayed or shipped separately luggage

In addition to be able to use the Green corridor a traveler should not possess any Ukrainian currency, inlucding in coins produced of precious metals and should not possess more than:
- one liter of spirits
 - two liters of wine
- five liters of beer
- tobacco products: 200 cigarettes (or 200 grams of tobacco)
- food for personal use up to the amount of 50 EUR (excluding meat products)
- 1000 USD in cash or 1000 USD in travelers checks (or equivalent in any other foreign currency).

Otherwise, a traveler should go through the Red corridor, which requires a filled in customs declaration.

When departing from Ukraine there are also two ways through the customs zone: through the Green corridor and the Red corridor. Passing through the Green Corridor does not require having a filled in Customs Declaration. Passing through the Green Corridor is possible when a traveler does not possess:
- does not posses any bank metals
- weapons, explosive, narcotic, psychotropic, poisonous, or virulent substances or drugs
- radioactive materials
- objects of antiquity or art, musical equipment
- printed materials, audio and audio-visual materials, and other information storage devices
- objects of flora and fauna, their parts and products produced from them
- goods total value of which does not exceed 200 EUR

In addition to be able to use the Green corridor a traveler should not posses any Ukrainian currency, including in coins produced of precious metals and should not possess more than:
- one liter of spirits
 - two liters of wine
- five liters of beer
- tobacco products: 200 cigarettes (or 200 grams of tobacco)
- food for personal use up to the amount of 50 EUR (excluding meat products)
- 1000 USD in cash or travelers checks (or equivalent in any other foreign currency) unless it was brought into the country earlier and is accompanied by the properly filled in and stamped customs declaration form.

If the conditions specified above are not met, a traveler has to pass through the Red corridor, which requires
a filled in customs declaration form.