In February 2025, Ukraine’s integrated border management system continued to transform in line with European standards, despite challenges in trade, transport and security.
Passenger traffic remained stable, with 1.73 million people and 446,000 vehicles crossing the western border. The number of humanitarian aid trucks that were cleared also increased.
Mixed trends are observed in the area of external trade: the total trade turnover reached $8.7 billion in January 2025, but exports decreased to $3.2 billion.
The customs sector is dynamically developing towards digitalisation. In February, artificial intelligence was introduced for automated vehicle clearance, the functionality of the eQueue system was upgraded, and an online cabinet for international bus carriers and a system for checking fines for foreign drivers were launched.
Ukraine is actively preparing for the Chapter 29 Customs Union screening as part of the negotiation process with the EU. The simulation session allowed to work out the format of presentations and receive valuable recommendations from European experts. The adaptation of maritime and land transport legislation to EU directives is also ongoing.
Modernisation of the customs infrastructure includes the installation of new scanners, weighing scales, and upgrades to mobile control systems. Anticorruption activities are also being stepped up: customs officers are being trained by the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption, and work is underway on a new Customs Code that will approximate the system to EU standards.
Numerous projects are being implemented in the field of border infrastructure, ranging from the launch of new checkpoints, such as Velyka Palad-Nagyhodosh, to the renovation of the Luzhanka-Beregsurany checkpoint and deepening cooperation with neighbouring countries in joint control. Funding is provided, in particular, through EU assistance.
At the same time, farmers’ protests in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other EU countries demanding restrictions on duty-free imports of Ukrainian agricultural products posed new challenges. Although access to the checkpoints remained open, the situation requires constant monitoring and dialogue with partners.
Transport integration is also intensifying: an agreement was signed with North Macedonia on permit-free transport, the ECMT electronic system is being tested, and the expansion of the ‘transport visa-free regime’ is creating new business opportunities.
Overall, February 2025 demonstrated Ukraine’s systematic approach to modernising its border, customs and transport sectors, with a focus on European integration, digitalisation and wartime infrastructure resilience.
All the information about these and other events in the field of IBM can be found in the latest issue of the Information and Analytical Digest.
