Batteries are Ukraine’s secret weapon for critical infrastructure to stay online despite long power outages. Over 22,000 high-capacity lithium-ion batteries have been installed, which helps keep 77% of the country’s mobile networks active.
But how can we optimize Ukraine battery shipment logistics to accommodate other battery units while guaranteeing swift delivery amid supply chain disruptions and mounting costs? Let’s find the answer in this article.
Battery Logistic Routes from China to Ukraine
European logistics hubs for battery shipment from China to Ukraine can be effective. Start with sea or rail transport to Germany. Hamburg offers faster transit times (32 days) and customs clearance, which suits high-risk goods. Once in Germany, fiscal clearance options delay VAT payments for cash flow during transit. From Hamburg, transport batteries to Poland. Road haulage costs are higher than from Gdansk but offset by the speed and customs efficiency at Hamburg.
Germany’s warehouses are key staging points for controlled environments for battery shipment consolidation before dispatch to Poland or Romania. E.g., temporarily storing batteries in a German warehouse allows quick rerouting as per border conditions or transit times. Afterward, the shipment can move through Poland using road networks to Ukraine or Romanian ports like Constanta for a maritime alternative with direct access to the Danube corridor. Notably, Romania’s role as a grain export hub shows it can handle high volumes of sensitive battery shipments.
The Considerations of the Battery Shipment
Regulation
Lithium-ion battery shipment to Ukraine crosses a landscape of regulations classified as Class 9 dangerous goods. They matter due to battery transport thermal runaway for fires or explosions. For instance, the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for air transport limit the SOC to 30% for lithium-ion batteries to decrease overheating. Also, the IMDG Code outlines packaging and labeling requirements for the safety of ocean freight. Air, ocean, road, and rail transport modes must follow regulatory frameworks to avoid Ukraine shipment seizure or hefty fines.
Documents
Shipping batteries to Ukraine requires documentation to comply with customs regulations. Important documents include the DGD, which specifies the UN number, hazard class, and packaging group for classification under Ukrainian law. The CN22/CN23 customs forms are mandatory for all battery shipments, detailing the shipment’s contents, value, and weight. For example, shipments over €6000 require a Certificate of Origin to verify the manufacturing location. Accurate documentation is inflexible. Errors or omissions can cause delays at customs in Ukraine.
Custom Fees
Custom fees for battery shipments to Ukraine include import duties, VAT, customs clearance fees, and excise taxes. Import duties can be 0-30%. It depends on the battery type and its classification under Ukraine’s customs codes. While some battery categories may be duty-free, others might incur duties if incorrectly classified. Moreover, a 20% VAT applies to the battery value, shipping costs, and insurance. Customs clearance fees of around 1% of the declared value are another cost. Further, excise taxes may be levied on products to complicate the cost structure for importers.
Tax Exemption for Lithium-ion Batteries
Ukraine’s legislative changes have familiarized an exemption from import duties and VAT for lithium-ion batteries. Yet, batteries with capacities less than 200Ah do not qualify. Such exemption is effective until the end of martial law and facilitates the import of high-capacity energy storage systems to stabilize the national grid. For instance, large-scale batteries in solar energy projects or emergency power backup systems now benefit from this tax relief. Nonetheless, importers of smaller lithium-ion batteries must still traverse the spectrum of customs fees.
EVE LFP Batteries: LF230, LF280K, and LF304
EVE offers LFP batteries—LF230, LF280K, and LF304—with free import tax in Ukraine.
The EVE LF230 is a high-capacity 230Ah lithium-ion battery with a 736Wh energy rating, designed for versatile applications. Operating at 3.2V, it supports charging and discharging across a broad temperature range. With a lifespan of up to 4,000 cycles at 25°C, it is ideal for use in passenger vehicles, specialty vehicles, industrial machinery, and marine applications.
The EVE LF280K is a robust 280Ah lithium-ion battery with an energy capacity of 896Wh. Operating at 3.2V, it offers exceptional durability with up to 8,000 cycles at 25°C. Ideal for maritime energy storage, industrial applications, residential power, and marine propulsion, it supports a wide temperature range and features laser welding for secure connections.
Meanwhile, the EVE LF304 battery features a 304Ah capacity, 972.8Wh energy, 3.2V nominal voltage, and supports 0.5C charge/discharge rates. It offers 4000 cycles at 25°C and 2000 cycles at 45°C, with a wide operating temperature range from -35°C to 65°C. Laser welding is used, and it’s designed for use in passenger vehicles, buses, and energy storage in various applications.
Notably, EVE has a warehouse in Germany, so delivery can be shortened to 2-3 days.
Conclusion
EVE advocates obtaining LFP battery cells from them for your Ukraine project owing to their battery shipment capabilities. They deliver in 2-3 days from their German warehouse, lowering the delay. Using their lithium battery expertise, EVE also guarantees cycle stability and thermal regulation. They keep their logistics chain simple to meet your tight deadlines since they know delivery is key. So, EVE strategies promise high-quality battery performance for your project.