Ukrainian Customs Officers Set for Salary Hike to 72,000 Hryvnias

Celebrating Ukraine's Customs Day

According to Главком: On June 25, 2026, Ukraine will mark Customs Day, a date established by a Presidential Decree in 2020 to commemorate the Verkhovna Rada's passage of the Law on Customs Affairs on June 25, 1991. This observance highlights the critical role of customs services in national governance. As of 2026, the average pre-tax salary within the State Customs Service of Ukraine (SCSU) stands at 49,627 hryvnias, placing the agency among the top five public bodies in terms of average compensation.

Salary Structure and Scales in the SCSU

Compensation varies significantly by rank within the SCSU. The head of the State Customs Service earns a base salary of 90,200 hryvnias, while a customs office chief receives 54,100 hryvnias. Inspectors' pay ranges from 29,530 to 61,550 hryvnias, depending on their qualifications. Entry-level specialists earn 30,500 hryvnias, mid-level specialists 33,700 hryvnias, and senior specialists 36,800 hryvnias. It is important to note that base salaries are only part of total compensation; combined bonuses can reach up to 90% of the base salary, and annual premiums may account for up to 30% of the yearly salary fund.

In the private sector, the average salary for a customs specialist in June 2026 is 33,500 hryvnias-a 22% increase year-over-year. Cybersecurity and IT specialists command salaries 35-45% higher than other positions. A new pay model has been in effect since June 2025, which, alongside overall wage growth, signals positive developments in the system.

Compared to 2019, customs officers' incomes have surged seven- to eightfold. Back in 2019, a regular inspector earned roughly 6,500 hryvnias, while a customs chief took home 30,000 to 35,000 hryvnias. When Maksym Nefyodov served as head of the customs service, his salary was 24,800 hryvnias. By 2025, the maximum pay for the SCSU chair had reached 323,800 hryvnias, reflecting an almost tenfold increase in top leadership compensation.

The SCSU leadership aims to raise the average salary to 72,000 hryvnias, a move that would require an additional 6 billion hryvnias in funding. These planned increases could significantly boost employee motivation and enhance the overall effectiveness of Ukraine's customs service.

Customs Day in Ukraine underscores the agency's vital role in public administration. The rise in customs officers' salaries compared to previous years reflects positive shifts in compensation policy, which could improve service performance and operational efficiency.

The proposed increase in average pay to 72,000 hryvnias represents a major step toward ensuring fair working conditions for customs personnel and strengthening their motivation.

As the State Customs Service prepares for a significant salary increase, it's important to consider the broader context of public sector wages in Ukraine. Recent data from the Finance Ministry highlights average earnings for state officials, reflecting ongoing trends in compensation adjustments. For a deeper understanding of how these salary changes impact various government roles, including customs officers, you can explore the average figures revealed by the Finance Ministry.