The National Bank of Ukraine has updated a number of FX restrictions that aim, in particular, to ensure the uninterrupted activity of the volunteer movement in Ukraine and provide a possibility for Ukrainians to support people affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye.
Effective 2 March 2023:
- In view of the updated customs laws, the NBU has clarified the list of codes for commodities that individual volunteers can buy abroad to support Ukraine’s defense capability.
Specifically, the new Law of Ukraine On Customs Tariffs of Ukraine, which includes a new code for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), took effect on 1 January 2023. Considering the above, the NBU has added the new code for UAVs to the list of codes for commodities that individual volunteers can buy abroad to support Ukraine’s defense capability.
The respective list was widened to also include thermal imaging cameras, tactical radios, bulletproof vests, helmets, military and tactical uniform, military and tactical footwear, protective clothing, optical tracking devices, sleeping bags, ground pads, and military medical kits.
As previously reported, effective 6 August 2022, individual volunteers can pay with hryvnia payment cards for the goods purchased abroad that are on the list defined by the NBU. Individuals who are actually engaged in volunteering can buy and transfer, from 4 April 2022, foreign currency abroad to buy the relevant goods intended to enhance Ukraine’s defense capability (within a monthly limit of the equivalent of UAH 400,000).
- The NBU has allowed transfers of foreign currency to a charity fund established by the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Ukraine to support people affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye.
The NBU has provided a possibility for residents and nonresidents to transfer funds in foreign currency to accounts of the charity fund Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Büyükelçiliği Dayanışma (the Solidarity Fund of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Ukraine) established to accumulate funds for supporting people affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye.
In addition, the abovementioned fund is allowed to buy foreign currency and transfer it abroad. The fund will make such transfers in favor of the AFAD humanitarian mission of the Ministry of the Interior of Türkiye, the Turkish Red Crescent, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye.
Said changes and other amendments were made by NBU Board Resolution No. 12 On Amendments to NBU Board Resolution No. 18 dated 24 February 2023, dated 1 March 2023 and effective 2 March 2023.