Customs broker in Kyiv: services, price and how to choose

What a customs broker does

A customs broker is a licensed company that carries out customs formalities on behalf of the recipient. Put simply, the broker makes sure the cargo legally passes customs and is released to the recipient, and that all customs payments are calculated correctly. Customs broker services are especially needed for DHL and FedEx cargo, which is cleared through the Kyiv hub.

What the broker's work includes:

• Prepares and files the customs declaration — on behalf of the recipient, based on the invoice, contract and other documents.
• Determines the goods code under the Ukrainian HS classification (UKTZED) — the code determines the duty rate, document requirements and possible restrictions.
• Calculates duty and VAT — so the recipient knows the amount of customs payments before the cargo is released.
• Advises on permit documents — certificates, permits or licences, if they are required for the specific goods.
• Represents the recipient's interests at customs — communicates with customs and the carrier and answers document requests.
• Advises before shipping — checks the invoice and delivery terms before the cargo leaves for Ukraine.

The last point is often underestimated. Most delays arise at the document preparation stage: an inaccurate description of the goods, missing delivery terms or permits. Customs brokerage services are most useful when the broker gets involved before shipping, not after the cargo arrives.

Why a customs broker in Kyiv matters for DHL and FedEx cargo

SEMERO carries out customs clearance of DHL and FedEx cargo only through the Kyiv hub. SEMERO's main offices are in Kyiv and Mukachevo, and we also operate in Uzhhorod. In other cities collection and delivery are handled by the carrier's representative offices. So the recipient does not have to be in Kyiv: clearance takes place here, and the carrier then delivers the cargo. Delivery by Nova Poshta is available as an additional service on request.

That is why searching for a "customs broker Kyiv" for DHL and FedEx cargo is above all a search for a broker that works with the Kyiv hub itself and can file the declaration quickly where the cargo is actually waiting for clearance. The closer the broker is to the place of clearance, the less time is spent passing documents along and the sooner the cargo is released.

Another practical point is storage. After arrival, cargo is stored free of charge at the SEMERO customs warehouse for 3 days; storage is charged after that. This is not the same as the 30 days during which customs holds uncleared cargo free of charge before it is returned to the sender. That is why it is better to prepare the documents before the cargo arrives.

How to choose a customs broker: what to look for

• Own licence. Ask for the customs broker licence number. SEMERO's number is UACBR125000640 — we file the declaration ourselves, without intermediaries. More on the difference in the article "DHL and FedEx customs broker for business: the difference from an ordinary agent".
• Consultation before shipping, not after arrival. Sending a shipment of any weight, from 0.1 kg, without consulting a broker significantly increases the risk of delays and additional costs — even if the value of the goods is below 150 EUR.
• Transparent pricing. The cost of the broker's service should be clear in advance and separate from the customs payments, which depend on the cargo itself.
• The option to order only what you need. It is good when a broker does not impose a package but handles exactly the task you have.
• Experience with complex cases. For example, a special customs procedure exists for repair shipments that may help avoid paying duty twice, but only with the correct documents and contract. A consultation is essential here.

How to check a customs broker

Before handing documents to a broker, it is worth making sure that they can actually clear your cargo and are responsible for the result. Here are three simple checks:

1. 1Ask for the customs broker licence number and check it with the State Customs Service. A licensed broker gives the number without hesitation. SEMERO's number is UACBR125000640.
2. 2Find out who files the declaration. A broker with its own licence files the declaration itself rather than passing your cargo to an intermediary. SEMERO files declarations itself, without intermediaries.
3. 3Ask for the service price in advance. The broker's price should be known before work starts and be separate from the customs payments — duty and VAT, which depend on the cargo itself.

How a broker with its own licence differs from an intermediary agent is covered in detail in the article "DHL and FedEx customs broker for business: the difference from an ordinary agent".

How much customs broker services cost in Kyiv

The cost of customs clearance of DHL and FedEx cargo at SEMERO is fixed and depends on the recipient's status:

Customs payments (duty and VAT) are not included in the cost of the broker's service — they depend on the value of the goods, their code and the recipient's status. The first 3 days of storage at the SEMERO warehouse are free, after that storage is charged. DHL or FedEx delivery is a separate service, if you need it.

What determines the total amount of expenses

The total a business spends on receiving cargo consists of several parts:

• Customs clearance cost — determined by the recipient's status (company, sole proprietor or private individual).
• Customs payments — depend on the value of the goods, their exact description and the recipient's status. For private individuals, the 150 EUR threshold applies: up to 150 EUR — no customs payments; above that — 10% duty on the amount of the excess plus 20% VAT. For companies and sole proprietors (FOPs), the 150 EUR threshold applies to the entire customs value: goods + delivery + other invoice costs, at the exchange rate on the day of arrival. If the shipment is on CPT Ukraine terms and the total does not exceed 150 EUR, and the goods do not require permits, the cargo can pass without a declaration. Details are in the article "Invoices under 150 EUR for business: CPT terms and customs value". We explained how to estimate payments in advance in the article "How to calculate duty on DHL and FedEx cargo in advance".
• Storage — the first 3 days at the SEMERO warehouse are free, after that storage is charged.
• Delivery — if you also need DHL or FedEx delivery booking, it is a separate service.

Extra costs most often arise from errors in documents: an inaccurate description of the goods, discrepancies in the invoice or a missing contract. The process is described step by step in the article on FedEx and DHL customs clearance for business.

Customs clearance, delivery or a package: what you can order

SEMERO covers the need the customer actually has. You can order:

• customs clearance only for DHL or FedEx cargo — for example, if the supplier arranged the delivery;
• delivery booking only with DHL or FedEx;
• a package — delivery together with customs clearance.

We work with B2B clients — LLCs and sole proprietors (FOPs) receiving commercial cargo, samples and repair shipments weighing 0.1–70 kg (heavier cargo on request). If you regularly send or receive samples, also see the sample delivery service.

What to prepare before contacting a broker

The more complete the information at the start, the more accurately the broker will estimate the costs and the lower the risk of delay. You will usually need:

• an invoice with the value and an exact description of the goods;
• a contract or documents for free-of-charge delivery;
• the DHL or FedEx waybill number (AWB), if the cargo has already been shipped;
• the recipient's status — company, sole proprietor or private individual;
• the weight and number of pieces.

The exact list depends on the specific cargo, so it is worth agreeing it with the broker before shipping.

Working with a customs broker online is the normal format with us. To calculate the cost of clearance and check the documents in advance, contact us via the contacts page — through the form, WhatsApp or by phone. Describe the cargo, the carrier and the recipient's status, and we will tell you which service you need and what the costs will consist of.

Frequently asked questions