Scandal at the State Customs Service—an official has left for London
Svitlana Yukhta, head of the Customs Valuation Division of the Tariff Department at the State Customs Service, has traveled to London and submitted her resignation, effective October 1. This was reported by journalist Yevhen Plinsky, citing his own sources. According to him, she does not plan to return to Ukraine; however, the State Customs Service leadership has not yet made a final decision regarding her resignation.
A new personnel issue has arisen at the State Customs Service. According to journalist Yevhen Plinsky, Svitlana Yukhta, head of the Customs Valuation Division of the Tariff Department, has traveled to London and submitted her resignation. The journalist claims that Yukhta traveled to the United Kingdom on personal business and does not plan to return to Ukraine. She reportedly submitted her resignation letter specifying October 1 as her resignation date.
At the same time, there is currently no information regarding the State Customs Service’s final decision on her resignation. According to Plinsky, the agency’s leadership is trying to convince her to return. It is important to note that the information about her departure and her intention not to return is based on data from the journalist’s sources. The report does not contain any official confirmation of these circumstances from Yukhta herself or the State Customs Service.
Why Yukhta’s Position Is Important
Svitlana Yukhta heads the Customs Value Division of the Tariff Department. This is one of the key positions in the customs system, as the customs value of goods determines the amount of payments due when they are imported into Ukraine.
According to Plinsky, it is the decisions of officials who work with customs value that determine the amount on which customs will calculate taxes and other fees. “It is Yukhta’s decision that determines the value on which customs will calculate your taxes. And this issue has always left plenty of room for maneuver and corruption,” the journalist stated. Yukhta has been working in the field of customs value for many years. Her activities have already attracted the attention of journalists.
Subject of an Investigation into Luxury Cars
In 2024, Svitlana Yukhta became a subject of an investigation by the program “Hapuga.UA.” Journalists examined, among other things, the issue of expensive cars used by customs officials. Yukhta was also mentioned in the report. Journalists showed the official’s car and highlighted her role within the customs system.
The mere fact of being mentioned in a journalistic investigation does not imply that a crime has been established. The report contains no information about a court verdict or any other decision that would confirm that Yukhta committed a crime.
Customs Is Looking for a Replacement
In parallel with the situation surrounding Yukhta’s statement, according to Plinsky, the State Customs Service is looking for someone who could replace her in her position. Finding such a specialist may not be easy. The position requires experience specifically in the field of customs valuation and tariff regulation.
According to the journalist, there are few such specialists on the market. Therefore, the possible resignation of the head of one of the key departments creates an additional staffing problem for the agency. It is not yet known who exactly might head the department if Yukhta does resign.
The problem isn’t limited to just one official
According to Plinsky, the situation with Yukhta is part of a broader staffing problem within the State Customs Service. The journalist claims that both rank-and-file employees and heads of departments and divisions continue to resign from customs agencies. According to his information, there is currently no one to fill some of the vacant positions left by those who are leaving. The situation is described as particularly difficult at the regional level. According to the journalist’s sources, some customs employees are demoralized.
Among the reasons cited are constant staff rotations, another round of performance reviews, and working under conditions of regular air raid alerts. Employees are also facing general uncertainty regarding their future employment and changes to the system. If Yukhta does indeed leave her post, the State Customs Service will not only have to process her resignation but also find a new head of the Customs Valuation Department on short notice.
Currently, the key question is whether the agency’s leadership will approve her resignation and whether she will return to work in Ukraine. The State Customs Service has not issued an official statement regarding this situation in the report.
