Zelenskyy signs law on election of new customs leadership by international experts and full re-certification of customs service
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi signed on October 17 Law No. 3977-IX, which involves checking the integrity of customs officials and monitoring their lifestyle, as well as the participation of international experts in the competition for the position of head of the State Customs Service.
The law was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on September 17 and provides for holding a competition for the election of the new management of the customs service with the participation of international experts with a decisive vote. In addition, re-certification of all customs employees is foreseen. This reform is an important requirement of the IMF for further financing of Ukraine.
The law will enter into force on October 31, 2024, with the exception of certain provisions. The Cabinet of Ministers should create a commission to hold a competition for the position of head of customs by January 1, 2025, which is defined by the new Article 570-2 of the Customs Code.
The commission will consist of six members, three of whom will be appointed based on the proposals of international organizations that have provided technical assistance to Ukraine in the areas of reform and fighting corruption. The remaining three members will be appointed on the proposal of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine.
A candidate for the position of head of customs must meet the integrity criteria, which include honesty, incorruptibility, independence and ethics. The candidate must also prove the legality of the sources of his property and the conformity of his standard of living with his income.
After the appointment of a new head of the State Customs Service, the process of re-certification of all customs officials will begin. The law also provides for a gradual reduction in the participation of international experts in competitions six years after its entry into force.
The law also makes changes to the procedure for appointing the heads of territorial customs and tax authorities, who will now be appointed without the approval of the Ministry of Finance.
