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What has changed in the rules for importing drones in 2025?
Recently, government agencies have simplified the procedures for importing drones for defense purposes, making them more accessible to volunteer initiatives. The main changes concern the import of drones as humanitarian aid under martial law. In a number of cases, it is no longer necessary to submit additional documents that previously created delays at the border. In particular, the requirement to provide letters of guarantee from the end user for civilian and dual-use drones has been canceled.
The clearance procedure has become more transparent: drones are cleared at the border crossing point on the basis of a declaration submitted by the person transporting the cargo. The declaration can be submitted in both paper and electronic formats, which is especially convenient for urgent deliveries or route changes. Importantly, this category is not subject to non-tariff regulation, and letters of guarantee are not mandatory for civilian and "dual" drones. These details often determine whether the cargo will pass quickly or be detained for additional checks.
Volunteers need to be clear about what kind of drones they plan to bring in, as this affects the control procedure. Civilian drones are considered as technical products for household needs, filming, monitoring and other peaceful tasks. Dual-purpose drones are not formally military, but are capable of performing defense tasks, so their documentation should be approached more carefully. Military drones or equipment clearly classified as military are subject to stricter requirements and inspections, so it is critical to agree on the nomenclature and method of clearance before crossing the border.
The government has also clarified the terminology and classification of certain goods in documents to avoid misunderstandings at the border. These changes help different services to assess the type of cargo being imported in the same way and reduce the number of unnecessary checks. Before planning a delivery, it is advisable to check the category of a particular model and prepare an accurate cargo description. This approach reduces the risk of delays and saves time, a resource that is always critical at the front.
Drones as humanitarian aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
When importing drones as humanitarian aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the most reliable way to arrange the delivery is through a legal entity, such as a charity, or directly to the military unit as the recipient of the aid. This approach ensures transparency of the transfer: the donor or supplier transfers the equipment to a charitable organization, which then transfers it to a specific recipient, with the nomenclature, quantity and purpose fixed. All transfers must be free of charge and documented, as tax benefits, including VAT exemption, apply specifically to charitable assistance without any compensation. For internal control and subsequent audits, recipients keep records of the receipt, storage, distribution and use of drones, and such goods are reported separately in the financial statements with explanations in the notes.
Special attention should be paid to labeling. Goods received as charitable assistance from domestic donors for targeted charitable activities must be marked "Charitable assistance. Sale is prohibited" on the label, tag or packaging - external or internal - so that the inscription is easily visible during inspection. Usually, the labeling is done by the donor at the stage of transfer, and this should be agreed upon at the time of purchase to avoid additional preparation at the last moment. Compliance with the rules of labeling and intended use is monitored by authorized bodies. Any attempts to sell such equipment for compensation may result in its seizure or confiscation, so correct registration and reporting is not a formality, but an important legal protection.
Electronic warfare equipment, anti-drone equipment, electronic warfare equipment
Electronic warfare equipment and anti-drone systems are considered sensitive not because of their formal classification, but because of their real impact on radio communications and navigation systems. Such equipment is capable of suppressing or altering the operation of radio channels, interfering with the control of unmanned vehicles, and affecting GPS and other positioning systems. In combat situations, these capabilities create a tactical advantage, but outside the combat zone or if misused, they can pose a risk to critical infrastructure, emergency services, and even to their own units. That is why electronic warfare equipment is treated as high-priority equipment, where not only formal registration is important, but also a clear understanding of who, for what purpose and under what conditions the equipment is transferred to.
For volunteers, this means that the approach that works with drones may not be acceptable in the case of EW. The same appearance of the equipment can conceal devices that are fundamentally different in terms of legal regime: from passive detectors or airwaves monitoring devices to active transmitters that are subject to stricter requirements and restrictions. The situation is further complicated by the fact that most electronic warfare equipment has military or dual-use features, and some of them can be considered equipment that requires special training. An additional complication is created by technical characteristics that cannot be assessed without professional expertise: operating frequency ranges, radiation power, operating modes, presence of amplifiers or directional antennas.
That is why it is advisable to coordinate the nomenclature with military specialists who understand compatibility with existing systems and combat use practices at the procurement stage, and even more so before importing electronic warfare equipment. Such interaction allows to correctly determine the purpose of the equipment, avoid mistakes in the name and technical description, and avoid importing equipment that the unit cannot physically use. At the same time, time and resources for interaction with government agencies should be taken into account in cases where the equipment may be subject to export control regimes or other forms of special regulation.
Permitting procedures, legal restrictions and informal practices
One of the most common mistakes made by volunteers is to import drones to a private person without a clear understanding of the further transfer route and end user. Under martial law, drones are perceived not as neutral electronics, but as highly controlled equipment, so any uncertainty about their origin, purpose, or recipient immediately attracts the attention of regulatory authorities. The situation is further complicated by general restrictions on the use of drones by civilians without special permits. In such circumstances, the "bring it in first and decide later" approach is extremely risky. If it cannot be clearly explained during border crossing or subsequent inspections which unit the equipment is intended for and on what basis it will be transferred to, the cargo easily turns from an aid to a problem.
Informal or so-called "gray" practices are usually disguised as everyday scenarios. These include transporting several identical drones in luggage with the explanation "for friends," using vague wording about personal use, not having a letter of request from a military unit or charity, and avoiding proper accounting. Even in the absence of malicious intent, such actions create suspicion of illicit trafficking in dual-use equipment. In practice, it is the volunteer who most often bears the negative consequences: the equipment can be seized to clarify the circumstances, and arguments about ignorance are not always accepted when it comes to safety. A much more reliable model is one in which drones are imported upon a specific request, with a pre-determined transfer route and responsible persons accepting the equipment.
Potential risks are not limited to customs delays. Violation of the established rules can lead to confiscation of equipment, administrative liability, and in some cases, criminal proceedings if the actions are considered a threat to defense capabilities, illegal use of equipment, or assistance to the enemy. These consequences are particularly acute in cases of flights in prohibited areas, near military facilities or in settlements with a tightened control regime, where any deviation from the rules attracts increased attention.
Contacts and actions in case of questions at customs
If there are delays in the import of drones or if the customs officer demands documents that are not provided for this category, it is best to act calmly and record the essence of the issue: what exactly is being demanded, on what basis and at what stage of clearance. In such cases, it is advisable to immediately contact specialized hotlines that help to quickly resolve disputes on the spot. For issues related to the control of civilian and dual-use goods, you should use the hotline of the State Export Control Service at 044 462 48 47. If the problem concerns customs actions or border crossing procedures, you should call the hotlines of the State Customs Service: 044 284 19 34 and 044 247 27 06.
To resolve the situation quickly and efficiently, it is important to clearly describe the cargo and have a basic package of information: what is being imported, in what quantity, by whom it is being transported, where it is going, and under what conditions it is being transferred. This approach allows for quicker resolution of misunderstandings, especially when it comes to humanitarian supplies and time is of the essence. Any proposals to "resolve the issue informally" should be rejected, as they create much greater legal risks than the delay itself. Instead, correct and documented communication with the relevant services often allows you to unblock the clearance without conflicts and loss of cargo.
An additional level of protection for the volunteer is the foundation through which the delivery is organized. Acting on behalf of a charitable organization provides a clear legal outline: documents for receipt and transfer, confirmation of the free nature of the assistance, responsible persons and accounting are available. This minimizes the room for arbitrary interpretations and allows for quick explanations in case of questions at the border about the end user or purpose of the equipment. As a result, the foundation does not just formalize the process, but actually takes on part of the legal burden, reducing the risks for the volunteer.
