Survey Reveals Overwhelming Opposition: 82% of Ukrainians Reject New VAT on Parcels
A sociological survey conducted by the Rating Group from February 6 to 9 found that 82% of Ukrainians oppose the introduction of a 20% Value-Added Tax (VAT) on all international parcels. This proposed tax is a contentious issue as Ukraine seeks to align its customs policies with international standards while its citizens rely heavily on imported goods. The poll included 1,000 respondents aged 18 and older, with a margin of error not exceeding 3.1% and a confidence level of 95%.
According to the results, 29% of those surveyed had received an international parcel in the past year. The majority of these parcels, 68%, were valued at under 50 euros. About half of Ukrainians use domestic postal services at least once every few months. Among recipients of international parcels, 29% stated they had ordered goods to cope with the consequences of the energy crisis. The most popular items ordered from abroad are:
- Clothing and footwear (45%)
- Power banks, batteries, and charging devices (26%)
Most respondents consider international parcels important during the war: 64% see them as important, and 25% as critically important. Furthermore, 79% believe that making parcels more expensive could negatively impact volunteer activities and defense efforts. A separate 85% expressed concern that delivery delays could also harm these areas.
Diverging Political Views on Customs Rule Changes
Political stances on altering customs rules also vary. Danilo Getmantsev, head of the parliamentary finance committee, supports lowering the tax-free threshold for foreign parcels from 150 euros to 45 euros. Conversely, the European Business Association advocates for abolishing the VAT exemption on imported goods valued up to 150 euros. In January, Roksolana Pidlasa, head of the budget committee, reported on a Ukrainian initiative to ease the requirements for canceling tax breaks on international parcels before a new IMF program is approved.
'The most problematic issues for voting in the Council remain the demands to cancel tax benefits on parcels and to impose VAT on sole proprietors. We have presented arguments for easing these demands—specifically, that the lack of electricity, heating, and constant shelling do not facilitate doing business,' noted Roksolana Pidlasa.
Thus, the survey results indicate significant public resistance to imposing VAT on international parcels and underscore the importance of these shipments in the context of the severe challenges facing the country. With international parcels serving as a vital lifeline for many Ukrainians, especially during wartime, public opinion is likely to carry considerable weight in the government's upcoming decisions on customs rules and taxation. The political debate on this issue is set to continue against a backdrop of economic strain and pressing societal needs.