Border and customs checks on trains to be conducted while moving, directly in carriages – Government decision

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a draft resolution developed by the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development that introduces an experimental procedure for carrying out border and customs checks directly in train carriages while the train is in motion.

This format is already successfully used on high-speed Intercity trains to Poland. Although it is a complex process for the state authorities involved, it saves passengers considerable time and makes travel much more comfortable. For this reason, the approach will now be gradually extended to overnight trains as well.

“We are reducing the time spent at the border and making rail services more modern and passenger-friendly. Thanks to the coordinated work of all the services involved, this format will become the new standard for international travel. Checks carried out while the train is moving eliminate unnecessary delays, increase comfort and, at the same time, maintain the same level of security,” stressed Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister for Communities and Territories Development.

The first stage of expanding the scheme will cover two international routes to the Republic of Poland:

• Kyiv – Chełm – Kyiv (checks while moving on the Kovel – Yahodyn – Kovel section);
• Lviv – Przemyśl – Lviv (checks while moving on the Lviv – Mostyska-2 – Lviv section).

On average, these routes are used each month by around 27,000 passengers on the Kyiv–Chełm service and 104,000 passengers on the Lviv–Przemyśl service (both directions). At present, they spend a significant amount of time undergoing border and customs procedures. The new mechanism will shorten journey times and eliminate unnecessary stops at the border.

It should be noted that introducing checks while the train is moving is a complex inter-agency process. Technologies and procedures need to be aligned between the Border Guard Service, Customs Service and Ukrzaliznytsia. Once all preparatory measures are complete, the new format will be launched immediately.

This is another step towards enabling Ukrainians to travel faster, more comfortably and without unnecessary waiting.