The basic set:

  • Commercial invoice (in English, with the UKTZED code)
  • Packing list
  • Certificate of origin (EUR.1 or a manufacturer's statement)
  • Transport documents (CMR, waybill)
  • Certificates of conformity (CE, FSC, food safety — depending on the product)

Typical mistakes:

  • An invoice without the EU HS code. Every EU country requires an exact HS code.
  • Weight mismatch in the documents. A 2 kg difference between the invoice and the CMR = the shipment is stopped.
  • An expired certificate. Check validity before shipment.
  • The wrong Incoterm. DDP with an unprepared seller = disaster at the border.

Tip: Submit documents to Ukrainian customs electronically 24 hours before the cargo arrives in the EU.