The European Union (EU) is planning to remove import duties on clothing imports from Ukraine. After the Ukraine government signed a political agreement cementing closer links with the EU on March 21, the European Commission has released details of proposals to remove tariffs on goods traded between the EU and Ukraine. 

As per the new proposal, EU duties on Ukraine exports will be scrapped first in a planned manner, once agreement obtains green signal from both the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers. Ukraine clothing manufacturers currently pay a 12 per cent duty on most ready-to-wear products from woven fabrics exported to the EU, with 10.5 per cent charged on babywear, 6.5 per cent on bras, 8 per cent on shawls and scarves and 6.5 per cent on ties. The EU also levies 12 per cent tariffs on most knitwear made in Ukraine, with 8.9 per cent on gloves and 8 per cent on knitted shawls.

The remainder of the planned EU-Ukraine association agreement is likely to be signed and approved following Ukraine presidential elections in May.