Transports to Ukraine 2026/2027: what companies should know about documents, routes and the transport agreement with the EU
Road freight transport between Germany and Ukraine remains an important part of European trade in goods in 2026 and 2027. Machines, spare parts, industrial products, medical devices and other merchandise continue to be transported by truck. At the same time, the current security situation, border clearance and customs regulations place special demands on transport planning.
An important basis is the transport agreement between the European Union and Ukraine, which has been extended until 31 March 2027. It facilitates bilateral freight transport and transit traffic, but it replaces neither customs clearance nor the necessary transport documents.
For German companies, this raises three key questions: which documents are needed? Which routes can transports take? And what do shippers need to consider for 2027?
EU–Ukraine transport agreement: what applies in 2026 and 2027?
The road transport agreement between the EU and Ukraine, originally concluded in June 2022, has been extended several times. Following the decision of 25 September 2025, it currently applies until 31 March 2027.
The agreement facilitates international road freight transport by lifting certain permit requirements between the EU and Ukraine for the bilateral transports and transit journeys it covers.
As a result, eligible transport companies can carry goods between the two economic areas without having to apply for an additional bilateral transport permit for every journey covered.
For shippers, this means in particular:
- simpler organisation of permit-free bilateral and transit transports within the scope of the agreement
- better opportunities to involve Ukrainian and European transport companies
- easier planning of regular flows of goods
- support for trade links between the EU and Ukraine
One important point, however: the agreement does not apply across the board to every conceivable transport. Cabotage and transports between third countries, for example, are not automatically permitted by this arrangement.
In addition, transport companies must carry the required documents and comply with the applicable regulations.
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What happens after 31 March 2027?
A further extension is possible but, as of October 2026, has not yet been decided.
The EU has linked a continuation to, among other things, progress in aligning Ukrainian legislation with European rules for road haulage. The effects of the agreement on the transport market are also to be assessed.
Companies with regular traffic to Ukraine should therefore follow developments in good time. In particular, longer-term transport contracts and delivery programmes extending beyond March 2027 should take possible regulatory changes into account.
Which documents are needed for transports to Ukraine?
As Ukraine is not a member of the European Union, deliveries from Germany are generally exports to a third country.
In addition to the usual freight documents, the respective customs procedures must therefore be observed.
The most important documents include:
| Document |
Purpose |
| Commercial invoice |
Details of seller, buyer, value of the goods, description of the goods and terms of delivery |
| Packing list |
Number, packaging, weight and, where applicable, dimensions of the packages |
| CMR consignment note |
Documentation of the international carriage of goods by road |
| Export declaration |
Customs declaration of the goods on export from the EU, where required |
| Transit document / MRN |
Identification and monitoring of an opened transit procedure |
| Proof of origin |
May be required to claim preferential tariff treatment |
| Goods-specific documents |
For example licences, certificates or proofs for certain types of goods |
Which documents are actually needed depends on the goods, their customs status, the value of the goods and the chosen customs procedure.
Particularly important are a clear description of the goods, the correct commodity code and consistent information in the invoice, the packing list and the customs documents.
Errors can lead to queries during customs clearance and therefore to delays.
NCTS and the common transit procedure: what are the advantages?
Since 1 October 2022, Ukraine has been a party to the Convention on a common transit procedure.
This means that the electronic New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) can be used for corresponding cross-border transit procedures.
A key advantage is that goods can be carried across several participating customs territories under a common transit arrangement. The guarantee required must cover the territories concerned.
This can simplify customs clearance and avoid unnecessary additional procedures.
In June 2026, Ukraine also began the international application of NCTS Phase 6. Among other things, this version supports the inclusion of security data and technical cooperation with European customs systems.
For shippers, however, this does not mean that all customs formalities automatically disappear. The correct opening, monitoring and termination of the transit procedure are still required.
The responsibilities of the exporter, freight forwarder, customs representative and importer must also be clarified in advance.
Which truck routes lead from Germany to Ukraine?
The appropriate route depends above all on the place of loading, the destination region, the vehicle used and the current situation at the border crossings. For transports from Germany, connections via Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania are the main options.
Via Poland
The connection via Poland is one of the most important land routes for
transports between Germany and Ukraine. It is particularly relevant for destinations in western Ukraine and for many flows towards central Ukraine. Well-known border connections include
Korczowa–Krakovets and Dorohusk–Yahodyn. Which crossings can actually be used depends, among other things, on the type of vehicle, the customs procedure, traffic volume and current restrictions.
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Via Slovakia and Hungary
For certain destination regions in western Ukraine, connections via Slovakia or Hungary can make sense. These alternatives are particularly worth considering when the consignee’s geographical location or the traffic situation favours such a route.
Via Romania
The route via Romania can be relevant in particular for deliveries to the south-western regions of Ukraine. Depending on the current security and border situation, it can also be an alternative for certain connections towards Odesa. However, there is no single best route. The shortest route on the map is not always the fastest or the most sensible from an operational point of view. Border waiting times, customs offices, road conditions and security aspects must be considered together.
How long do truck transports to Ukraine take?
For transports from Germany, the following values can serve as an initial guide:
| Mode of transport |
Typical transit time |
| FTL – full truckload |
approx. 3–4 days |
| LTL – part load |
approx. 5–6 days |
| Express transport (van) |
approx. 1–2 days |
These practical guide values include the usual border clearance. However, there are no guaranteed delivery times. With FTL, the vehicle is usually available for one shipment and can drive directly to the consignee.
With LTL, several part loads are combined. Additional loading and unloading points can extend the overall transit time. The actual transport time also depends on the destination region, the loading day, the statutory driving and rest times and the current situation at the border. Especially for time-critical deliveries, companies should therefore allow a realistic time buffer and state the latest possible delivery date as early as the request.
Security situation and border crossings: what companies should consider
The security situation in Ukraine remains an essential part of transport planning. Military developments, air raid alerts, infrastructure restrictions and regional security risks can affect how transports are carried out. Route planning should therefore not be based on distance alone.
Before a transport is carried out, the following points in particular must be checked:
- current accessibility of the destination
- availability of suitable border crossings that can actually be used
- regional security situation along the planned route
- restrictions on road traffic and infrastructure
- options for safe loading and unloading
- adequate insurance cover for the specific transport
The last point in particular is often underestimated. Regular transport insurance does not automatically mean that damage resulting from acts of war is covered. Corresponding exclusions and possible special cover must be checked on a case-by-case basis.
Practical example: documents and transport planning must match
A typical case from operational transport practice shows why vehicle availability alone is not decisive for transports to third countries. In an international delivery, a vehicle may already have been scheduled while individual customs or accompanying documents still need to be clarified. If, for example, the commodity code is not clear, information on the value of the goods is missing or the packing list and commercial invoice do not match, the planned departure or border clearance may be delayed. Especially for transports to Ukraine, early coordination between sender, consignee, freight forwarder and customs representative is therefore important.
Well-prepared documentation can be just as decisive for the delivery date as a truck provided on time. The example describes a typical operational process and not an individual MARTIN transport documented with specific customer data.
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Which goods need special attention?
Not every shipment can be transported to Ukraine under the same conditions. Special requirements may apply, among others, to: Machines and industrial equipment: dimensions, weights, load securing and, where applicable, special permits must be checked. Dangerous goods: for ADR transports, the relevant dangerous goods regulations, the vehicle equipment and the admissibility of the planned route must be taken into account.
Temperature-controlled goods: suitable refrigerated vehicles, temperature requirements and possible border waiting times must be included in the planning. Medical devices and sensitive goods: depending on the product, additional proofs, import requirements or special transport conditions may be necessary. For dual-use goods and sanctioned goods, export control checks may be required. The commodity code alone is not always sufficient to conclusively assess whether a licence is required. Especially for technically demanding goods, the exporter and the freight forwarder should exchange the necessary information at an early stage.
How can companies prepare better for transports to Ukraine?
For reliable transport planning, it is advisable to compile the most important details before making the request. These include the full loading and unloading location, the type of goods, the number of packages, the dimensions, the weight, the desired loading day and the latest delivery date. For transports to third countries, the commodity code, the value of the goods, the agreed Incoterms and the responsibility for customs clearance should also be known. Another important point is coordination with the Ukrainian consignee, who must prepare the necessary import formalities in good time and organise the acceptance of the goods.
Incomplete information often leads not only to queries when the quote is prepared but can also impair the transport process later on.
Transports to Ukraine in 2027: what should shippers plan for now?
For companies with regular trade between Germany and Ukraine, three topics are at the centre of attention.
First, the further development of the EU–Ukraine transport agreement remains relevant. The current extension ends on 31 March 2027. Whether, and under what conditions, there will be a further extension remains to be seen.
Second, electronic customs clearance continues to develop. Systems such as NCTS can simplify procedures but require correct and complete data.
Third, operational transport planning remains demanding because of the security situation and possible restrictions at border crossings.
Companies should therefore not calculate on the basis of the lowest transport costs or the theoretically shortest transit time alone. What matters is a transport solution that takes documents, customs clearance, route, security and delivery date into account.
Transports to Ukraine with MARTIN Internationale Spedition GmbH
MARTIN Internationale Spedition GmbH organises international truck transports between Germany, other European countries and Ukraine. Depending on the shipment size and requirements, FTL full truckloads, LTL part loads, direct or express transports are possible. In our transport planning, we take into account the specific route, the desired delivery date, the type of goods and the necessary customs and transport documents. The choice of a suitable route and the coordination of transport processes with the parties involved also play an important role.
Our aim is to offer companies an economically sensible transport solution for their deliveries to Ukraine that can be realistically planned.
