Ways to improve the procedure for cargo customs clearance and quality control in Ukrainian seaports

Objectives. To formulate possible ways to improve mutual relations arising during the implementation of customs control, and to develop methods for their practical implementation by reducing the number of documents in accordance with international conventions and EU directives based on the analysis of laws and legal documents regulating the implementation of cargo customs control procedures in Ukrainian seaports and their applications. Methods. Analytical methods of analysis and synthesis, comparative analysis and data generalization from the available studies and regulatory documents were used for the research. Results. The paper analyzes national legislation adjustment to the EU standards in the field of customs control in seaports. The main challenges of implementing the standards defined in the Association Agreement with the EU and international conventions into national legislation are identified. The paper concludes about the relevance of bringing national legislation into compliance with international shipping standards. Creating a modern legal framework is critical for Ukraine to return to the global marine shipping market and to attract investments in this economic sector. Based on the research results, the promising trends to improve the procedure for cargo customs clearance and quality control in Ukrainian seaports are proposed in order to reduce the number of legal documents and boost the process of cargo customs clearance in accordance with international conventions and EU directives. To increase the competitiveness and economic attractiveness of Ukrainian seaports, it is proposed to introduce e-document flow, cancel commission control on board, cancel procedures for cargo traffic via Ukrainian ports, cancel chemical control, simplify radiological and environmental control, cancel financial restrictions and boost procedures. Scientific novelty. The paper analyzes the state of regulatory and legal support in the area of customs control in seaports. For the first time, a set of practical guidelines for improving the procedure for cargo customs clearance and quality control in Ukrainian seaports has been developed. Practical implications. Some problematic issues related to the implementation of the standards set in the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement into national legislation are defined. Draft amendments to the current ship arrival procedures at a seaport have been developed and proposed, in order to improve the existing standards and boost the process of cargo customs clearance

customs control; customs clearance; import; regulatory framework; implementation