“The National Bank of Ukraine took the initiative to introduce taxation of international parcels worth up to €150, which are currently exempt from taxes. This is stated in the October Inflation Report of the NBU. The regulator explains that such a step will help reduce the deficit of the current account of the balance of payments, which has already reached $24.9 billion in nine months of 2025. According to the NBU, the main reason for this deficit”, — write on: ua.news
The National Bank of Ukraine took the initiative to introduce taxation of international parcels worth up to €150, which are currently exempt from taxes.
This is stated in the October Inflation Report of the NBU.
The regulator explains that such a step will help reduce the deficit of the current account of the balance of payments, which has already reached $24.9 billion in nine months of 2025. According to the NBU, the main reason for this deficit is not consumer demand, but large-scale defense and reconstruction expenditures of the state. At the same time, the reduction of defense funding is unacceptable, so it is necessary to look for other sources of fiscal stabilization.
As an alternative to reducing expenses, the National Bank proposes to limit non-critical imports, in particular by taxing small foreign parcels. The report notes that such a measure would have “limited negative effects on the economy” but would help reduce currency outflows and support macro-financial stability.
In effect, this means that all online purchases from foreign marketplaces — such as AliExpress, Amazon, Shein and others — may become more expensive. At the same time, the state will receive additional revenues to the budget, and the demand for foreign currency will decrease.
The initiative of the National Bank of Ukraine shows that the state is trying to balance the budget and reduce the balance of payments deficit without harming the defense capability by reducing consumer imports, which are considered non-critical in wartime.
We will remind, the chairman of the committee on finance, tax and customs policy of the Council, Danylo Hetmantsev, commented on the increase in taxes.
Also, in 2025, Ukrainians will pay taxes on gifts.
