The driver of a Mercedes-Benz chose the expedited inspection lane in an attempt to transport cash without filing a written declaration. Customs officials seized the excess funds, and the foreign national faces a fine of 3,500 euros.
At the Ukrainian-Romanian border, Transcarpathian customs officers recorded yet another attempt to illegally transport a significant amount of foreign currency. At the “Dyakove” border crossing, inspectors found undeclared euros in the possession of an SUV driver, the amount of which significantly exceeded the legal limit for duty-free import.
This was reported by the press service of the Transcarpathian Customs Office.
Circumstances of the violation at the checkpoint
A Mercedes-Benz ML350 driven by a 40-year-old Romanian citizen entered the customs control zone in the “entry into Ukraine” lane:
- Choice of lane: The foreign national deliberately chose the lane for simplified customs control—the “green corridor.” According to the law, this choice indicates that the driver is declaring that he has no goods or funds subject to mandatory written declaration or taxation;
- Cash Found: During customs inspection and a thorough search of the vehicle’s interior, customs officers discovered cash totaling 27,500 euros in the man’s possession.
Legal Provisions and Withdrawal of Funds
Under Ukraine’s current customs and foreign exchange laws, individuals are permitted to import foreign currency in cash without mandatory written declaration in an amount not exceeding 10, 000 euros (or the equivalent in any other currency) per person.
The amount exceeding the permitted limit was 17,500 euros. It was these funds that officials at the Transcarpathian Customs Office seized from the offender in accordance with established procedure, pending a court ruling. The 10,000 euros permitted by law were returned to the Romanian citizen.
Penalties under Article 471 of the Customs Code
A report was filed against the 40-year-old foreign national for violating customs regulations under Part 1 of Article 471 of the Customs Code of Ukraine (failure to declare foreign currency assets transported by citizens across the customs border of Ukraine, in an amount exceeding the permitted limits).
The penalty under this article provides for the imposition of an administrative fine equal to 20 percent of the amount by which the established limit was exceeded. In this case, the fine for the Romanian national will amount to 3,500 euros. The case materials are being prepared for submission to the court.
Source: Transcarpathian Customs.
