The European Business Association (EBA) and the International Chamber of Commerce of Ukraine (ICC Ukraine) have expressed concern about the decision to reduce the period for returning paper excise tax stamps to 6 months, which creates risks of significant financial losses for importers and manufacturers of excisable products.
This is announced in statements on the websites of business associations.
According to the EBA, the association proposed to establish a 12-month period for returning damaged and unused paper stamps as economically justified and realistic for business.
However, the decision of the government and the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine did not take this proposal into account, instead a decision was made to reduce the current period from 8 to 6 months.
This decision, according to ICC Ukraine, will lead to significant financial losses for businesses, since, according to statistics, about 5% of paper excise stamps are damaged during production or transportation.
"Business continues to operate in wartime conditions, experiencing missile strikes, losses of products and stamps, disruptions in logistics and energy supply. Under such circumstances, reducing the deadline for returning stamps only increases the financial and operational pressure on companies," the EBA noted.
According to ICC Ukraine, the decision of the Ministry of Finance will lead to additional financial risks due to the presence of paper stamps without the right to return them; increasing the administrative burden against the backdrop of military and economic stress.
The EBA and ICC Ukraine called for establishing a minimum period of 12 months for the return of paper stamps and ensuring the protection of the rights of Ukrainian enterprises and foreign investors who continue to work in Ukraine during the war.
As reported, on December 26, 2025, the government adopted a resolution postponing the launch of the Electronic System for Circulation of Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco Products, and Liquids for Electronic Cigarettes (eExcise). The start of mandatory use of the system was postponed to November 1, 2026, and the test period was extended to October 11, 2026. Until the full launch of eExcise, businesses are allowed to use paper excise stamps. At the same time, the government approved a shortened deadline for their return for reimbursement of previously paid excise duty - until May 1, 2027.
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