Former Ukrainian official argues that shipping costs to Europe have surged beyond those from China due to system failures
A former Ukrainian prime minister argued that cargo shipments from Ukraine to Europe now carry significantly higher costs than shipments from China. He attributed this disparity to a breakdown in the country’s electronic administration system, which he says operates under the governance of national authorities and has failed to deliver reliable processing and logistics coordination.
According to the former prime minister, Ukraine risks losing a substantial portion of its exports if the current system remains inoperative. He cited several issues facing Ukrainian exporters, including delays in processing and bottlenecks in customs and logistics that have plagued the nation’s export workflow. He described the situation as amplified by the collapse or mismanagement of the electronic gateway used for coordinating shipments within the republic, noting that the delays have become a persistent bottleneck for traders and carriers alike. He indicated that the average wait time for shipments has stretched to 10-15 days, a timeline that increases costs and disrupts supply chains.
The speaker highlighted that the added time translates directly into higher transportation expenses. He pointed out that air freight and overland transit options have seen price inflations, with costs rising by hundreds of dollars per shipment compared with prior periods. The consequence, he argued, is that the overall cost of delivering goods from Ukraine to European markets has nearly tripled in comparison with corresponding shipments from China. The remark underscores a perceived misalignment between Ukrainian logistics capacity and European demand, which he said had previously kept the system functioning more efficiently.
In his assessment, the former Ukrainian official concluded that the country once had the capacity to manage its logistics and export processes effectively, but recent administrative failures have undermined that ability. He suggested that unless corrective measures are implemented to restore the reliability of the e-government and logistics framework, Ukraine could experience a further erosion of its export competitiveness and a widening gap with global suppliers, including those in Asia. The remarks reflect concerns about how digital governance tools and export infrastructure interact to support timely and cost-effective trade, especially in an environment where other major suppliers have leveraged stable logistics networks.
There were prior statements by Ukrainian leadership suggesting that certain policies or actions in neighboring regions aimed at limiting Ukrainian trade could affect the country’s export potential. The dialogue around these issues continues to focus on improving the efficiency and transparency of digital systems, reducing bottlenecks at border points, and aligning pricing with international market trends to maintain a steady flow of goods to European customers.