About Ukraine

Ukraine is located in the southeast of Europe and encompasses an area of 603,700 sq. km. In the south, it is washed by the Black and Azov seas. It borders on Russia in the east, Belarus in the north, Poland and Slovakia in the west and Hungary, Romania and Moldova in the southwest.

Europe’s conventional geographic center is located near the town of Rakhiv in the Trans-Carpathian Region of Ukraine.

Its climate is moderately continental with certain peculiarities in the Crimean and Carpathian mountains. The summers are primarily warm and dry while winters are mild and humid.

The capital is Kyiv (Population: over 3,000.000)

Ukraine’s time zone is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Official Holidays. 1, 7 January; 8 March; 1-2, 9 May; 28 June; 24 August; 1 day (Easter), 1 day (Holy Trinity).

Transport. Well-developed network of railway, automobile, river and air transport connects Ukraine with almost all parts of the globe.

Visas. To obtain a visa to Ukraine it is necessary to apply to the diplomatic representative and consular offices of Ukraine, which are located in most major world capitals.

Citizens of countries that do not have diplomatic or consular offices of Ukraine may apply for Ukrainian visas in any neighboring country, which has such facilities.

YOU CAN NO LONGER GET A VISA AT THE AIRPORT IN KYIV!!!

Passport Control. When crossing the State border travelers undergo passport checks during which time documents and papers, certifying the right of entry or exit from Ukraine, are verified; motor vehicles are examined (in case of travel by a private motor vehicle), as well as goods (objects) and other property.

In the event a travel passport is lost within the territory of Ukraine, foreign citizens must immediately inform Ukrainian officials of this loss at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (or the local militia) so that it may be registered without delay.

After obtaining a new passport from the diplomatic representative or consular office of one’s country the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs may then proceed with the issuance of an exit visa from Ukraine or the registration of the renewed travel passport.

Health and Veterinary Control. Foreign citizens entering Ukraine must present documents certifying they don’t have tuberculosis in active form or HIV-infection.

Permission must be received from the regional center of the state veterinary control on the state border for all animals brought into the territory of Ukraine. These documents must accompany the animals while they are transported within Ukraine’s territorial boundaries.
Medical Insurance is highly recommended. Foreign citizens may either apply for medical insurance from the State Joint Stock Insurance Company “Ukrinmedstrakh” located at all points of Ukrainian state border crossings or provide evidence of medical coverage of a foreign insurance company.

Information about companies whose policies are recognized by Ukraine can be obtained at the diplomatic representative or consular office of Ukraine at the time of receiving an entry visa to Ukraine.

Customs Control. Foreign citizens may bring the following items into Ukraine duty free: cigarettes - 200 pcs.; hard liquors - 1litre; wine – 2 liters; beer - 10 liters, detergents and other surface-active materials -1 kg.

It is prohibited to import:
· objects that may cause damage to human health or pose a threat to human or animal life as well as cause damage to the environment;
· items that contain propaganda of war, racism and race discrimination, genocide and any other propaganda which is counter to the respective norms of Ukraine’s Constitution;
· imported items which violate industrial rights or intellectual property;
· imported items which contain pornographic or non-moral content.

It is prohibited to export from the customs territory of Ukraine:
· objects for which state subsidies are set except for objects of personal use;
· objects of industrial purpose which are used in the industrial field; precious metals, precious stones and items so derived;
· national cultural treasures and artifacts for the purpose of alienation;
· goods and other things which are not subject to veterinary, environmental or health control.
These items can to be taken out of the country after respective bodies have checked them.

Currency. The national currency of Ukraine is the Hryvna.
(5.35 Hryvna = $1.00 USD - January 2004)

The following items may be brought into Ukraine:
(a). Under condition of oral declaration to customs officials:
· Foreign currency in cash in the amount not exceeding the equivalent of USD 1,000;
· Cheques not exceeding the equivalent of USD 1,000;
· Ukraine’s currency - not more than Hrn. 1,000 (Ukrainian residents only).

(b) With compulsory indication in a customs declaration:
· Money taken out of Ukraine earlier (with the availability of a customs declaration for its taking out);
· Foreign currency in cash in the amount not exceeding the equivalent of USD 1000;
· Cheques emitted by foreign banks and non-banking institutions in the amount of up to USD 50,000;
· Cash and cheques in the amount exceeding the above indicated norms – (on the basis of a special permit from the National Bank (Form 05).

The following items may be taken out of Ukraine:
(a) Under condition of oral declaration to customs officials:
· Foreign currency in cash and/or cheques in the amount not exceeding the equivalent of USD 1,000;
· Ukraine’s currency - not more than Hrn. 1,000 (Ukrainian residents only).

(b) With compulsory indication in a customs declaration:
· Money brought to Ukraine earlier (with the availability of a customs declaration for its bringing in);
· Foreign currency in cash and/or in cheques in the amount not exceeding the equivalent of USD 5,000 – with the certificate of an authorized bank (Form 01);
· Foreign currency in cash and cheques in the amount exceeding the above-indicated norms – (on the basis of an individual license);
· Ukraine’s currency in the amount not exceeding Hrn. 10,000, of which Hrn. 5,000 in banknotes and coins from non-precious metals, Hrn. 5,000 -in form of jubilee and commemorative coins from gold and silver;
· Ukraine’s currency in the amount exceeding the above indicated norm – on the basis of an individual license of the National Bank of Ukraine (Form 03).

The period for customs declaration validity is one year.

· Foreign citizens may travel freely within the territory of Ukraine.

· In cases when it is necessary to ensure the country’s safety, protection of public order, health, rights and lawful interests of Ukraine's citizens, restrictions may be introduced for foreign citizens to restrict travel privileges and determine their places stay in Ukraine.

Emergency Information.
Fire Department (dial – 01),
Police – (dial – 02),
Ambulance (dial – 03),
Telephone booths require a phone card for operation.

Air Transport.
Air Communication Agency: Air Ukraine. Information - 274 90 81.
International and domestic flights Information (Dial – 085), or, 225-32-17, 224-05-01.
Air tickets booking and delivery – (dial – 056).
Boryspil Airport is located 40 km from the centre of Kyiv. Airport Information - 295-67-01, 225-22-52.
Zhulyany Airport (Kyiv) is located within Kyiv’s limits.
Airports Information – 242-23-08, 242-23-09.

Public Transport
- within Kyiv’s limits (metro, trolley-bus, tram, bus) –
One trip fee: (January 2004) -
Regular Bus/Trolley Bus/Tram - Hr. 0.50
Mini-Buses/Taxi Vans - 1 Hr.

Taxi-cab – fee per kilometer - 0.9 - 1 Hr. (Or by negotiation with driver)
Taxi reservation: (dial 056), (dial 058).

Express taxi service - 211-44-44, 246-90-95.

Communication.
International Telephone Service UTEL operator, calls order, inquiry) (dial: 8-192; 8-193; 8-194; 8-195).
Hotel Accommodation: Rates for tourist single rooms (economy class) in Kyiv start at $ 150 USD per night.

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