The International Monetary Fund agreed to provide Ukraine with the next tranche of the loan, despite the failure to fulfill the condition of adopting a law on taxation of parcels worth up to 150 euros.
As Bloomberg writes, citing a source, the IMF and Ukraine have reached an agreement at the staff level, which has paved the way for Ukraine to receive almost $700 million in aid.
The deal will need approval from the IMF's board of directors next month.
According to the publication's interlocutor, the IMF agreed to allow Ukraine to postpone the adoption of the law until July, effectively giving lawmakers more time to fulfill their obligations.
The next IMF review is scheduled no earlier than September.
Previously, the IMF agreed to postpone another legislative obligation – the introduction of VAT for certain groups of self-employed entrepreneurs – which Ukraine was supposed to fulfill by April.
IMF program
As reported, at the end of May, a mission of the International Monetary Fund arrived in Kyiv for the first review of the new four-year EFF Extended Fund Facility program worth $8,1 billion.
The new $8,1 billion EFF program for Ukraine was agreed upon amid the protracted war and replaced the previous four-year $15,6 billion program that was in effect since March 2023. Under the old program, Ukraine received nine tranches totaling $10,6 billion.
The first tranche of the new program, worth $1,5 billion, has already been transferred to the state budget in early March of this year. Three reviews are planned for 2026 - in June, September, and December, as a result of which Ukraine may receive two $0,72 billion and another about $1,01 billion.
Parcel taxation
As a reminder, in May, the Verkhovna Rada failed to vote on amendments to draft law No. 12360 (amendments to the Customs Code) on the introduction of value-added tax for parcels from abroad worth up to 150 euros.
Currently, parcels with a total value of goods not exceeding 150 euros for one recipient can be imported into Ukraine without duty (10%) and VAT (20%).
As part of its commitments to the International Monetary Fund, the Ukrainian government plans to introduce VAT (20%) on all international parcels from January 1, 2027, abolishing the current duty-free limit. This primarily applies to purchases on foreign marketplaces.
That is, VAT will be charged from the first penny on goods, regardless of their value. The tax will be included in the price of the goods directly at the time of purchase, which will essentially lead to a 20% increase in the price of things.
Marketplaces, for their part, must implement appropriate changes on their platforms, which will require time and willingness on the part of the marketplaces.
Meanwhile, experts predict that the cancellation of the discount on cheap parcels may hit the wallets of many Ukrainians, for whom foreign, primarily Chinese, marketplaces are often an unalternative option for purchasing essentials such as clothes or shoes. This is indicated, in particular, by data from a sociological study by Rating Group.
In addition to basic items, Ukrainians have been actively buying backup batteries abroad this winter – power banks, batteries, chargers. That is, the VAT on the first kopeck, as provided for by the draft law, will become a kind of “survival tax.”
The decision may also affect the activities of volunteers who purchase goods to man the Defense Forces. According to the results of the Rating Group study, in 29% of cases, Ukrainians or their loved ones ordered international parcels for military needs, in 26% - for volunteer activities, and in 25% - for the repair or production of technological equipment.
Most small Ukrainian manufacturers deliver components for the production of drones and other defense products from abroad by parcels. Usually, this is more reliable and cheaper. After all, even Ukrainian sellers who manage to import wholesale batches of parts were until recently forced to sell them inside Ukraine at a higher price, paying VAT.
The supply channel for components in international shipments allows many Ukrainian manufacturers not only to buy them cheaper, but also to circumvent the restrictions that China has imposed on the export of certain components.
They want to limit the benefit to an amount of 45 euros per recipient for parcels sent by the sender without any payment, intended for personal or family use by the recipient, and whose characteristics and quantity should not indicate that they are being imported for any commercial purpose. In other words, these are parcels from abroad from relatives and friends.
However, VAT may be charged on them if the parcel contains excisable goods (for example, alcohol), perfumes, coffee, tea in quantities greater than the specified amount. For tea, this is 100 grams.
Currently, out of 75 million international parcels, only 0,8% are cleared through customs, although this 0,8% accounts for half the value of all parcels. When preferential parcel import is abolished, the burden on customs will increase 122 times.
Thank you for sharing this detailed and important news. The news perfectly illustrates the difficult balance that Ukraine has to find between the strict requirements of international creditors and objective domestic reality (especially in the issues of volunteer assistance and providing for the army).
Here are the main theses and conclusions from this material, structured for easy comprehension:
1. IMF Position: Temporary easing
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A compromise has been reached: The IMF made concessions and agreed to allocate another tranche in the amount of about $700 million under the new EFF program ($8,1 billion), despite the fact that the Verkhovna Rada failed to vote on taxing parcels.
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New deadlines: The adoption of the law was postponed until July 2026The next major program review is scheduled for September.
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This is not the first time: Previously, the Fund had already allowed the introduction of VAT for certain categories of self-employed entrepreneurs (FOPs) to be postponed from April to a later date.
2. What does the parcel taxation reform entail?
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Now: There is a limit in 150 євроParcels worth less than this amount are not subject to VAT (20%) and customs duty (10%).
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Plans (from January 1, 2027): Cancellation of duty-free limit. 20% VAT will be charged from the first penny on any product from foreign marketplaces. Tax will be charged automatically at the time of purchase.
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Exception ("Parcels from relatives"): They want to leave the privilege only for non-commercial parcels from individuals worth up to 45 euros, but there will also be strict limits on coffee, tea (up to 100 g) or perfume.
3. Why is this decision critical and painful for Ukraine?
Social aspect ("Survival Tax") For many citizens, foreign marketplaces are the only opportunity to cheaply buy clothes, shoes, and in winter, critically important power banks, batteries, and charging stations.
A blow to volunteers and the defense industry
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29 % parcels are ordered directly for the military.
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26 % — for volunteer activities.
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25 % — components for repair or production of equipment. Small manufacturers of UAVs and electronic warfare systems buy spare parts in bulk from China through parcels. This is not only cheaper, but also allows you to bypass official export restrictions of the PRC.
Logistical collapse at customs Today, customs officers only process 0,8 % of all international shipments (75 million parcels per year). If the exemption is abolished, customs will have to process in 122 times more orders, for which the infrastructure is simply not ready.
Summary: The IMF postponement gives the Ukrainian authorities additional time to finalize draft law No. 12360 and, possibly, make amendments that will protect volunteer fees and the purchase of drone components from additional tax burden.
