On Friday 1 July, the European Commission authorised Member States to temporarily waive customs duties and VAT on the importation from third countries of foodstuffs, blankets, tents, electric generators and other vital equipment for war-affected Ukrainians.
This measure, requested by the Member States, will apply retroactively from 24 February 2022 and will be in force until 31 December 2022.
This exemption applies to goods imported by State organisations and organisations of a charitable or philanthropic nature approved by the competent authorities of the Member States.
This decision is in addition to the new rules on reduced VAT rates adopted in April (see EUROPE 12907/18), which allow Member States to extend this exemption to domestic supplies of goods and services, including donations, to disaster victims.
As a result of the Russian invasion, it is estimated that over 14 million people, or 30% of the Ukrainian population, have been displaced. More than 6.2 million Ukrainians have made their way to the EU, and almost 8 million had to flee their homes, but remained in Ukraine.
See the legislative proposal: https://aeur.eu/f/2gx (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)