Government launches public competition for State Customs leader, reveals commission

Ukraine has taken a key step in overhauling its customs service, aiming to transform it into a transparent, efficient institution aligned with European standards, First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said.

Speaking this week, Svyrydenko announced the formation of a competition commission to select the new head of the State Customs Service. The body includes both Ukrainian business leaders and international experts in customs and anti-corruption practices.

Ukrainian representatives include:

• Andriy Yerashov, head of the Analytical Center of the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs;

• Dmytro Oliynyk, chairman of the Council of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine;

• Oleh Tymkiv, director of business development at audit firm Moore Stephens.

International experts on the commission are:

• Arunas Adomenas, Lithuanian Customs Attaché to the EU;

• David Bernstein, expert in governance and institutional reform;

• Kunio Mikuriya, a global authority in customs policy and trade facilitation.

Svyrydenko also noted that the Cabinet has approved a medium-term plan to implement customs reform, calling it “a key pillar” of the National Revenue Strategy through 2030.

“The reformed customs should create equal rules for all economic actors and serve as a stable revenue source for the state budget,” she said.

On Aug. 1, Svyrydenko tasked Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko with preparing the official decision to launch the competitive selection process. Marchenko has faced political pressure, with a motion for his dismissal registered in parliament, partly due to delays in launching the customs competition.

The appointment of a permanent customs chief was originally scheduled for completion by June 2025 as part of Ukraine’s commitments under its cooperation with the International Monetary Fund. Though the deadline was pushed back by several months, Ukraine still secured its ninth IMF tranche, totaling $500 million.

Following the disbursement, the IMF reiterated its expectations for Ukraine to modernize its tax and customs systems and complete the appointment process on time.

Ukraine’s customs service has lacked a permanent head since November 2021. In September 2024, lawmakers passed a reform law mandating an open, transparent competition process involving international organizations.