The rules for the terms of imports to Ukraine of cars with foreign registration plates are regulated by the Customs Code of Ukraine and the Istanbul Convention on Temporary Admission, Income and Tax Minister of Ukraine Oleksandr Klymenko has said.

"The 20-day term applies only to commercial vehicles, i.e. those that are designed for the transportation of goods or people but not cars imported by citizens for their own needs," the press service said, citing Klymenko.

The minister stressed that the rumors "that customs officers allegedly confiscate the above mentioned cars" are not true. The ministry staff can only notify the proper authorities about the status of vehicles imported to Ukraine. And if the term of vehicles' staying in the country is exceeded, they can make a report on violating customs regulations, said the minister.

According to the press service, since the beginning of the year 330 citizens of Ukraine have been brought to responsibility for violating the rules of the temporary importing of vehicles. Offenders have been required to pay fines totaling more than UAH 3 million.

"Through these activities, we have blocked another loophole to avoid paying duties, when importing cars to Ukraine. Fortunately, such attempts are absolutely not a mass phenomenon," said the minister.