Ports & terminals
Where cars clear customs: terminal fees, HPC, timelines
Main entry points
Seaports: Odesa, Chornomorsk (cars from USA/Korea/China by container or ro-ro). Dry ports/terminals: western border crossings (Yahodyn, Ustyluh, Medyka — cars from the EU). Lviv/Kyiv customs posts — for bonded transit after the border.
Terminal fees
At seaports: container handling (THC), unloading from the ro-ro vessel, storage (first days often free, then per day), plus documentation and VIN check. At dry crossings there are no fees — just queues. Typical terminal costs: ~$100–250 for ro-ro, $150–300 for container handling — confirm with the broker/port agent.
Bonded storage
HPC (customs control zone) — the car stays on the terminal's paid storage during clearance. ~150–400 UAH/day depending on terminal. Timing: seaport customs is slower (3–10 days), dry crossings faster but queues peak. Don't delay — downtime costs more than delivery.
Choosing the route
Cars from the EU — driving/car carrier via the western border is cheaper and faster. From the US — calculate: price + auction fee + US inland transport + ocean freight ($800–1500) + terminal + broker + duty. Container is cheaper than ro-ro but slower and often carries non-runners. Pick the departure port by shipping lines: NY/Savannah/Galveston → Odesa/Chornomorsk.
Terminal tariffs and procedures change — verify current rates with your customs broker and port websites.