Freight cars held up at customs are returned to Czech wood-exporter

Subject of complaint: Zakarpattia Customs, State Fiscal Service of Ukraine (SFS)
Complaint in brief: The Complainant, a Czech company specialized in exporting fuel wood from Ukraine to the European Union, addressed the BOC for help in returning 28 railway cars to its contractor. The freight cars were loaded with fuel wood purchased by the Complainant under specific contracts and had been delayed by Zakarpattia Customs. However, only the fuel wood was subject to seizure, not on the cars.
Action taken: To resolve the issue, the BOC investigator recommended that the Main Department of the National Police of Zakarpattia Oblast and to the Zakarpattia Customs consider the option of unloading the cars and returning them to the legal owner. On September 15, the Complainant submitted such a motion to the Court of Appeals in Zakarpattia Oblast, which revoked the seizure of the fuel wood.
Result achieved: On October 7, the Complainant informed the Council that the 28 cars had been unloaded and returned to the contractor. The case was successfully closed.