Ukraine is confidently moving along the path of digital transformation of public services. Today, it is difficult to imagine business operations without electronic permits, online registries, or automated data exchange. However, digitalization is not just about converting paper procedures into an electronic format. First and foremost, it is about creating services that allow businesses to operate faster, the state to work more efficiently, and the interaction between them to be as transparent and predictable as possible.

This is exactly what the Single State Information Web Portal “Single Window for International Trade” should be, the development of which is defined as one of the priorities of the digital transformation of the State Customs Service of Ukraine. Its modernization is an important component of Ukraine’s European integration course, as it is carried out in accordance with the European Union’s Multi-Annual Strategic Plan for Electronic Customs (MASP-C).

The Fuel and Energy Business Association consistently supports the digitalization of public services and the development of modern electronic mechanisms for business-state interaction. That is why we appealed to the State Customs Service of Ukraine with a number of practical proposals to improve the functionality of the “Single Window” Personal Account.

When a Digital Service Saves Weeks of Work

One of the Association’s key proposals was the introduction of the ability to submit applications for amendments to customs declarations in the form of a structured electronic document within the “Single Window” Personal Account.

At first glance, this looks like a minor technical improvement. In reality, it is precisely such solutions that shape a modern service-oriented customs administration.

Today, after the completion of customs clearance, applications for amendments to customs declarations are mostly submitted through the general registry office of the customs authority. The absence of a special digital tool means that businesses cannot automatically verify the relevance of customs declaration data, and customs officials are forced to carry out additional manual checks, transfer information to automated systems, and process adjustment sheets practically by hand.

As a result, technical errors and repeated adjustments occur, and the review periods for applications increase.

According to the Association’s member companies, almost 80% of adjustment sheets are issued with a violation of the deadline established by law. The average processing time for them is about 19 days, while the Procedure for Issuing Adjustment Sheets provides for a period of no more than ten working days.

That is why the introduction of a structured electronic service would make it possible to automatically use up-to-date customs declaration data, carry out formal and logical checks of information, reduce the number of technical errors, and significantly accelerate document processing for both businesses and customs authorities.

API is the Next Stage of Digital Customs

Another area of development should be the expansion of automated information exchange via API.

The launch in 2025 of the automated access service to one’s own customs declarations via API was an important step in the digitalization of customs procedures. However, practice shows that the potential of such a mechanism is much broader.

Today, businesses are interested in the ability to automatically receive information on the movement of funds in the single treasury account, operations for blocking and releasing guarantees, the progress of transit procedures, and confirmation of the actual import or export of goods.

This is not just a matter of convenience. Automated data exchange allows companies to integrate public services into their own information systems, reduce the time spent on manual information processing, minimize the number of errors, and accelerate management decision-making.

Less Manual Work — More Predictability

Even seemingly minor functional changes have practical significance.

For example, the ability to receive notifications about the border crossing of goods transported under the T1 common transit procedure would significantly simplify logistics planning and the execution of foreign economic contracts.

Equally relevant is the ability to export information on the movement of funds in the single treasury account in Excel or CSV formats. For large enterprises, this means the possibility of automated financial information analysis, integration with corporate systems, and a reduction in time spent on routine operations.

It is precisely from such seemingly small services that the modern digital ecosystem of public administration is built.

A Constructive Dialogue is Already Underway

It is pleasing to note that the State Customs Service constructively reacted to the Association’s appeal and confirmed its openness to cooperation with business. In its official response, the State Customs Service emphasized that the modernization of the “Single Window” web portal is carried out on an ongoing basis, and its further development will take place in accordance with the updated Long-Term National Strategic Plan for Digital Development, Digital Transformations, and Digitalization of the Customs Service, which already takes into account the requirements of integration into the European Union’s centralized “single window” environment.

At the same time, the State Customs Service provided its explanations regarding certain business proposals. In particular, the service noted that the current automated customs clearance system already uses structured electronic messages for making changes to customs declarations, and therefore the creation of separate functionality in the Personal Account is not currently considered necessary. It was also reported that certain functions regarding NCTS guarantees have already been implemented, and border crossing notifications for foreign T1 declarations are limited by the technical features of the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure.

We respect the position of the State Customs Service and positively evaluate its openness to professional discussion. At the same time, we are convinced that the practical experience of digital service users must remain one of the key factors in their further development.

Digitalization is an Investment in Ukraine’s Competitiveness

Today, the digitalization of customs procedures is no longer a matter of individual companies’ convenience. It is a matter of the speed of international trade, the efficiency of public administration, and the investment attractiveness of the country.

The fewer manual operations there are, the fewer administrative barriers, the lower business costs, the faster the movement of goods across the border, and the higher the level of trust in public institutions.

For the Fuel and Energy Business Association, the digitalization of customs is an important component of creating a modern regulatory environment that meets European standards and the needs of the Ukrainian economy.

We are convinced that the best digital solutions are born in partnership between the state and business. That is why we will continue to initiate practical proposals aimed at simplifying procedures, developing electronic services, and forming a modern, open, and efficient customs system in Ukraine.