The national postal operator of Ukraine, JSC Ukrposhta, is in the process of finalizing an agreement with the United States Postal Service (USPS) that will allow the delivery of goods from Amazon and other major U.S. marketplaces directly to Ukraine. The agreement is expected to become operational in 2025, according to Ukrposhta's General Director, Ihor Smiliansky.
Expanding Delivery Services
Ukrposhta aims to reach an agreement with USPS on the delivery of small parcels by January 1, with efforts also focused on finalizing arrangements for larger shipments. "As soon as we manage to conclude an agreement, Amazon will open to Ukraine," Smiliansky stated.
He explained that the signing of the agreement with USPS would enable Ukrainian consumers to access all large marketplaces currently unavailable in the country. This development is anticipated to significantly expand the range of products accessible to Ukrainian shoppers.
Addressing Delivery Challenges
Due to delays in international shipments passing through Poland, Ukrposhta has redirected parcel flows through Great Britain. "If we can reach an agreement with the USPS, goods from Amazon will go to Ukraine via Great Britain. The parcels will be delivered to London, and in a day they will be in Ukraine," Smiliansky noted.
Negotiations are also ongoing with the British Royal Mail to reduce tariffs for Ukraine and improve delivery conditions. Smiliansky emphasized the importance of these discussions in enhancing the efficiency and affordability of international shipping services for Ukrainian customers.
Ukrposhta's Growth and Future Plans
According to company data:
- 2024 Projections: Ukrposhta plans to increase the number of sent parcels by 50%.
- 2023 Performance: The company received over 215,000 international express delivery (EMS) shipments and sent more than 130,000 parcels abroad. It operates 27,000 service points and can send EMS shipments to over 130 countries.
- Financials: Ended 2023 with net income from goods and services amounting to UAH 11.9 billion, a 19% increase compared to 2022. Income is expected to rise to UAH 14.1 billion in 2024.
- Historical Comparison: In 2021, pre-war income was UAH 11.1 billion, which decreased to UAH 10 billion in 2022 due to the war's impact.
Context and Significance
- Enhanced Accessibility: The agreement with USPS is expected to facilitate faster and more reliable delivery of goods from the United States, including access to popular platforms like Amazon.
- Economic Recovery: These initiatives are part of Ukrposhta's broader strategy to expand services and recover from the economic impacts of the conflict.
- International Collaboration: Ongoing negotiations with USPS and British Royal Mail signify strengthening international postal cooperation.
Quotes
Ihor Smiliansky, General Director of Ukrposhta:
- "As soon as we manage to conclude an agreement, Amazon will open to Ukraine."
- "If we can reach an agreement with the USPS, goods from Amazon will go to Ukraine via Great Britain. The parcels will be delivered to London, and in a day they will be in Ukraine."
