In September 2026, the volume of tax breaks for the import of tobacco raw materials in Ukraine reached 4.4 billion UAH. This amount exceeded the preferences granted for equipment for the restoration of energy infrastructure. This was reported by Minfin citing the State Customs Service of Ukraine, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
The total value of customs privileges granted during import operations in September of the current year amounted to 37.1 billion UAH. This accounts for almost half of all customs payments directed to the state budget for the specified period, which totaled 75.2 billion UAH. Compared to September 2025, the volume of such preferences increased by 41.6%.
Distribution of customs privileges
The largest share of duty-free imports — 23.4 billion UAH or 62.9% — consisted of defense-related goods. The second position in terms of preferences was held by tobacco products intended for domestic production, with a figure of 11.8%. This value turned out to be higher than the volume of privileges for equipment for the repair of energy facilities, which accounted for 4.3 billion UAH or 11.5% of the total amount.
Also among the significant categories of duty-free imports are exemptions from customs duties according to free trade agreements, which amounted to 3.4 billion UAH. The remaining 1.8 billion UAH fell into other categories provided for by legislation.
Dynamics over three quarters
During the nine months of 2026, the total volume of customs payment privileges in Ukraine reached 318.8 billion UAH. Compared to the same period last year, this figure increased by 92.8 billion UAH, or by 41.4%. Official data indicate that this refers to the legal exemption of importers from certain payments, rather than direct funding of producers from the state treasury.
According to People’s Deputy Olha Vasylevska-Smahliuk, the scale of privileges for tobacco raw materials is quite indicative of the overall structure of customs preferences. Despite the fact that the tobacco industry holds leading positions in terms of payment exemptions, the energy sector and defense needs remain key areas of state attention under martial law.
Photo: Minfin
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