Exclusive Taxes paid to the budget per ton of exported scrap metal amount to UAH 104

Last year's customs statistics indicate possible underpayment by scrap exporters

In 2024, 11 Ukrainian companies with a total staff of 116 employees exported 271,000 tons of steel scrap with a total volume of 293,200 tons, according to the Opendatabot platform. In particular, one of the companies, which according to documents employs one person, sent 3,000 tons to a foreign buyer.

The total official income of the industry from foreign sales reached UAH 3.218 billion. At the same time, the 10 largest scrap metal exporting companies declared UAH 56 million in profits for 2024. Total tax deductions amounted to UAH 4.6 million. The export of 1 ton of valuable strategic raw materials brought UAH 104 to the budget.

Eight scrap metal traders accounted for 70% of shipments in kind and only 22% of export revenue. According to Opendatabot, these companies employ between 3 and 10 people. According to tax returns, they all receive the minimum wage.

Judging by customs statistics, the average price of shipments under foreign economic contracts was €271/ton. According to scrap collectors, the cost of steel scrap in the European Union in 2024 was €260-300/ton.

As reported, steel scrap exports from Ukraine in 2024 increased by 60.7% compared to 2023, reaching 293,200 tons. The mass export of this strategically important resource threatens the stability of the Ukrainian metallurgical industry and plans to increase steel production.