Ukrainians mass-import cars from the US

The number of vehicles brought into Ukraine from the US has increased. This particularly concerns electric cars, which are currently exempt from VAT, excise duty, and customs fees by law.

Hidden pitfalls

Electric cars from the US are purchased at auctions where insurance companies list them. In other words, these are damaged vehicles that have previously been involved in accidents. The extent of the damage varies in each case. Consequently, the costs of subsequent repairs also vary.

Vehicles can be found independently on American websites. Numerous Ukrainian companies handle delivery, charging additional fees for their services.

A specialised company participates in the auction. To purchase a car, for example, a Nissan Leaf, it is necessary to pay a security deposit of $1,000 or 10% of the declared value of the vehicle in advance.

Information on specialised websites may be updated with a delay. That is, by the time you view the listing, the vehicle may have already been purchased by someone else. Therefore, experts recommend independently monitoring electric cars at US auctions.

Costs

In addition to the cost of the electric car itself, the buyer will have to incur additional expenses. In this case, the following must be paid:

·         Auction fee. The amount is approximately $400.

·         Delivery. Transporting the vehicle across the US to the port and by sea to Ukraine will cost $1,100–$1,700.

·         Broker. Customs broker services cost approximately $800.

·         Pension fund. Despite the absence of duty, excise, and VAT, a pension fund contribution of 3% of the value must be paid.

·         Certification. The cost is approximately 8,000 hryvnia.

The company handling the transportation will charge approximately $750 for its services. The vehicle is delivered to the port of Odesa. Since it is a damaged car, a tow truck must be hired to transport it to the buyer's city, costing $250–$300.

It should also be understood that not all cars can be repaired with minimal financial outlay. In some cases, it is much cheaper to buy an already repaired car than to spend money on a purchase and then face repair difficulties.