A draft resolution has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine proposing the establishment of a Temporary Investigative Commission on combating smuggling and counterfeit goods. The initiative aims to create a parliamentary mechanism to analyze the scale of illegal cross-border movement of goods and the circulation of counterfeit products in Ukraine.
The purpose of the commission is to establish the facts and circumstances behind state budget losses associated with smuggling and shadow imports, identify the causes of such schemes, and prepare recommendations for the Verkhovna Rada. As part of its work, the commission will collect information from relevant government bodies, analyze customs and tax procedures, and identify schemes of illegal movement of goods, particularly within product groups that present the highest fiscal risks. The commission will also be able to involve representatives of business associations, the expert community, and civil society organizations.
The problem of smuggling and counterfeit goods has a systemic nature. According to expert estimates, state budget losses caused by smuggling and “grey” imports amount to well over UAH 100 billion annually. In wartime conditions, such losses translate into fewer resources available for defense, social programs, and other critical state needs.
Beyond fiscal losses, shadow imports distort fair competition. Legitimate manufacturers and importers operating within the legal framework and paying taxes are forced to compete with goods entering the market without proper customs duties and tax payments. Counterfeit products also pose risks to consumers, as they often fail to meet safety and quality standards.
Smuggling channels may also be used for broader illicit activities, including financing criminal networks, circumventing sanctions, or illegally transporting strategic goods. For this reason, addressing such schemes is not only an economic issue but also an important element of national economic security.
In this context, a parliamentary Temporary Investigative Commission can become an instrument for a comprehensive analysis of the problem. The commission will have the capacity to consolidate information from different public authorities, identify legislative and procedural gaps, and develop proposals for improving public policy in the areas of customs control, tax administration, and the protection of intellectual property rights.
Following its work, the commission is expected to present a report with recommendations to the Verkhovna Rada on further steps to counter smuggling and counterfeit goods. Such a format of parliamentary oversight may contribute to the development of a more systematic approach to tackling shadow imports and protecting the legitimate market.
