USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA) has purchased and delivered 10 of 20 handheld scanners to the State Customs Service. The total cost of the equipment is about $1 million euro. The scanners will be deployed at the following 12 road BCPs: Yahodyn, Porubne, Uzhhorod, Luzhanka, Krasnoilsk, Diakivtsi, Chop (Tysa), Mamalyha, Rososhany, Starokozache, Mohyliv-Podilskyi, and Rava-Ruska BCPs. 

Customs officials will use the U.S.-made hand-held scanning systems to detect third-party objects in vehicles. The use of these portable scanners is expected to speed up vehicle inspections and help prevent the movement of prohibited substances across the state border. 

Cameron Berkuti, USAID ERA BCP Director, noted: “USAID ERA is actively modernizing Ukraine’s borders to expedite customs processes and overall border crossings. The scanners will enhance border security, speed up vehicle inspections at the borders.“

Handheld X-ray scanners are a fast and effective way to scan vehicles, eliminating the need for in-depth inspections and preventing contraband. 

“Thanks to USAID ERA, modern scanners will now help us inspect vehicles and buses, detecting prohibited or undeclared goods that might be transported across the border. Previously, Сustoms officials relied on other technical means and visual inspections, but these new devices will increase the efficiency of Сustoms officers and speed up inspections at the border,” said Valerii Zhaldak, Director of the Department of Logistics and Property Management of the State Customs Service of Ukraine.

A tablet is used along with the scanner to show what the scanner “sees” on its screen, allowing Customs officers to work together to screen vehicles and luggage. 

“The detailed inspection of one passenger car now takes up to thirty minutes because, if suspicious objects are detected, the paneling must be removed and hard-to-reach places checked. With this scanner, the inspection time will be reduced to ten minutes, significantly speeding up traffic,” shares Artem Mulenko, head of the department of mobile scanning systems at the Volyn Customs Service. “This scanner is designed to scan, for example, a single bag or the side wall of a car.”

Between 2023 and 2026, USAID, through ERA, is dedicating $115 million to support the Government of Ukraine. This support includes the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry for Restoration), the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (Agency for Restoration), the State Customs Service, and Ukrainian Railways (UZ) to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs).

USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) has successfully installed 1,909 LED lamps, along with necessary equipment such as switches, cables, and brackets, at 25 road and rail border crossing points (BCPs) across Volyn, Lviv, Zakarpattia, Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia, and Odesa Oblasts. Ukrainian manufacturers VATRA and Beta Light supplied the LED lamps. 

The newly installed LED lamps are highly energy-efficient, using 80% less power than the incandescent lamps they replaced. With 10 hours of darkness each day, the LED technology saves up to 300,000 kWh per month. These lamps also consume up to 50% less energy compared to the halogen and fluorescent lamps replaced. These improvements are vital for ensuring smooth operations at the BCPs, facilitating the safe and efficient movement of goods and travelers. 

In the long term, these upgrades will offer significant benefits, such as reduced maintenance costs and lower energy consumption. Overall, the newly installed LED lamps consume just 200 kWh compared to 1,000 kWh for incandescent bulbs, providing stronger light efficiency and greater durability for border infrastructure. 

Between 2023 and 2026, USAID, through ERA, is dedicating $115 million to support the Government of Ukraine. This support includes the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry for Restoration), the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (Agency for Restoration), the State Customs Service, and Ukrainian Railways (UZ) to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs). 

USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is actively enhancing the operational capacity of Ukraine’s railway border crossing points (BCPs) with Romania and Moldova. To improve the country’s logistics infrastructure, USAID ERA has supplied generators and ICT equipment, streamlining cargo processing and speeding up freight flows at these crucial railway BCPs. 

ERA delivered 34 units of ICT equipment, including printers, computers, laptops, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), to the railway BCPs at Reni, Kuchurhan (in Odesa Oblast), and Vadul Siret (in Chernivtsi Oblast). This equipment will help optimize cargo handling and improve administrative operations at these transport hubs. 

Additionally, ERA provided one 6 kW petrol generator and two 17.6 kW diesel generators to the Kuchurhan rail BCP, along with three 17.5 kW diesel generators to the Reni rail BCP. These generators ensure uninterrupted operations during power outages. Ukrainian Railways (UZ) covered the costs of building protective canopies for the equipment.

Earlier, ERA supplied similar ICT equipment and generators to railway BCPs on Ukraine’s western border, including those at Yahodyn, Mostyska, and Chop. 

Between 2023 and 2026, USAID, through ERA, is committing $115 million to directly support the Government of Ukraine. This funding will assist the Ministry for Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure Development (Ministry for Restoration), the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure, the State Customs Service, and Ukrainian Railways (UZ) in modernizing 42 of Ukraine’s BCPs. 

On September 10, USAID Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA) representatives and the Service for Restoration and Infrastructure Development in Odesa Oblast met to discuss collaborative initiatives to enhance the border crossing infrastructure. Cameron Berkuti, USAID ERA Border Crossing Point Director, and Andrii Donchenko, Head of the Service for Restoration in Odesa Oblast, attended the meeting. 

Discussions centered on the BCPs’ improvements in the Odesa Oblast and looking into a request from the Odesa Service for Restoration to fund a mobile laboratory to improve quality assurance of work undertaken by the Service for Restoration in Odesa Oblast at the 9 BCPs along the Moldovan border.

USAID ERA has already supported modernization efforts at 27 BCPs across Ukraine’s western borders, with 10 road and rail BCPs in the Odesa Oblast. The improvements include basic improvements such as installing 68 new LED lighting systems at six BCPs, 50 traffic barricades at 3 BCPs, and 14 waste sorting bins for 8 road BCPs in the Odesa region. USAID ERA is also progressing with providing 48 modular facilities (or prefabricated buildings) for 8 BCPs. Further, ERA continues to work on design project documentation for modernizing Tabaky and Starokozache BCPs in the Odesa region.   

Between 2023 and 2026, USAID, through ERA, is dedicating $115 million to support the Government of Ukraine. This support includes the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry for Restoration), the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (Agency for Restoration), the State Customs Service, and Ukrainian Railways (UZ) to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs). 

USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA), in partnership with the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine and the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure, has unveiled a new design for the reconstruction of the Yahodyn road border crossing point (BCP). USAID ERA subcontractor Miyamoto Ukraine is currently developing this updated design. 

 Serhii Derkach, Deputy Minister of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, Roman Komendant, Acting Head of the State Agency for Reconstruction, along with Brian Fahey, Senior Economic Growth Advisor at USAID, representatives of USAID ERA, and Miyamoto Ukraine, attended the presentation. 

Timothy Madigan, ERA Chief of Party, emphasized the strategic importance of the Yahodyn-Dorohusk border crossing for Ukraine, stating: “The renovated infrastructure will introduce modern control processes, utilizing paperless technology and automated traffic management. We expect this can increase the capacity for trucks by approximately 88.2% and for buses by 100%.” 

Under USAID ERA, the reconstruction will involve building a new freight terminal, expanding lanes for trucks, buses, and cars, and constructing administrative and engineering structures. The redesigned terminal area and freight terminal will include gender-sensitive and inclusive features, such as well-lit pathways, separate sanitary facilities, and designated areas for women with children and people with disabilities. These improvements will ensure enhanced safety and comfort for all visitors, aligning with international standards. The reconstruction is slated for completion by August 2025. 

USAID ERA and Miyamoto Ukraine are also working on a feasibility study for a new bridge, which the Ukrainian government plans to execute through the EU’s “Connecting Europe Facility-2” (CEF-2) program. The feasibility study will be completed by October 2024. 

Serhii Derkach highlighted that the Yahodyn-Dorohusk BCP, the largest in Ukraine, handles over 600 trucks daily. However, this capacity falls short, especially during the export season. He explained: “Our goal is to allow every truck to plan its departure online, days in advance, eliminating long waits. We expect the project to double Yahodyn’s capacity and significantly boost trade.”

Currently, the BCP processes 680 trucks and 50 buses daily. After the upgrades, which will feature up to 20 truck lanes, 12 car lanes, 4 bus lanes, and a pedestrian corridor, the capacity could increase to 1,280 trucks and 100 buses per day. These enhancements will boost efficiency, aiding Ukraine’s economic recovery. The BCP may also accommodate passenger vehicles in the future, further increasing the number of vehicles serviced. Once all the planned facilities are fully constructed, the BCP is expected to process 242,000 cars, 331,200 freight units, and 31,050 buses annually. 

Between 2023 and 2026, USAID, through ERA, is dedicating $115 million to support the Government of Ukraine. This support includes the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry for Restoration), the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (Agency for Restoration), the State Customs Service, and Ukrainian Railways (UZ) to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs).

The Uzhhorod-Vyšné Nemecké border crossing point (BCP) in the Zakarpattia region on Ukraine’s western border with Slovakia, has long struggled with infrastructure challenges, including outdated buildings, insufficient traffic lanes, lack of modern sanitary facilities, and limited space to handle increasing traffic. These issues have led to delays, inconveniences for travelers, and hindered the efficient execution of customs and border control procedures.  

As part of the initiative to modernize BCPs in Ukraine, USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA) aims to make border crossing faster and more comfortable for both the BCP workers and users, such as vehicle drivers transporting goods for export and passengers, by reducing wait times and improving service quality at the border.  

In June 2024, USAID ERA subcontractor Miyamoto Ukraine completed the feasibility study for the reconstruction of the existing passenger terminal and building a new one at the Uzhhorod-Vyšné Nemecké BCP. 

Detailed project documentation will be completed later this year in collaboration with the Agency for Restoration, the State Customs Service, and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. Miyamoto has conducted surveys of all existing facilities and calculated the engineering capacity requirements.  
Reconstruction and construction work are scheduled to begin in Spring 2025.  

Natalia Chukanova, Chief Engineer, Miyamoto International Ukraine noted, “The Uzhhorod BCP is located in an area with a slight elevation difference due to the mountainous relief. This makes it quite non-standard, and it requires additional design features to protect the area from waterlogging. Our specialists use the latest technologies to improve the level of comfort and efficiency of customs and border control, as well as shorten the border crossing procedure. We are making significant efforts to accelerate the implementation of this project at this BCP and plan to complete all design work with the appropriate agreements by the end of this year.” 

The infrastructure upgrade at the Uzhhorod-Vyšné Nemecké BCP will improve border crossing conditions for passengers and help eliminate passenger vehicle and bus congestion at the cargo terminal. The BCP serves both passenger and cargo traffic and is one of the main BCP’s on Ukraine’s western border, with a current monthly export volume of 60,500 tons and a monthly cargo flow of 4,300 trucks (as of June 2024).

The BCP’s modernization being undertaken by USAID ERA will enhance the BCP’s capacity, improve the efficiency of control procedures, and ensure comfortable conditions at the site. According to estimates by Ukrainian Government partners, by 2026, USAID ERA support will increase the BCP’s capacity by an additional 680 trucks per month, and the agricultural goods turnover will grow by 14,000 tons per month.

The project involves the reconstruction of an unfinished building, specifically a service facility for customs and border control services. As part of the reconstruction, all necessary rooms and facilities will be equipped to ensure the continuous operation of the checkpoint, taking into account the norms and standards for barrier-free access for people with limited mobility. The project also includes strengthening the structures in the service area, partial or complete replacement of structures, completion of construction, and bringing the facilities up to modern energy efficiency standards, as well as updating the landscaping.

To improve traffic flow at the BCP, one lane for passenger buses and four lanes for passenger cars will be created for entry and exit from Ukraine. The project also includes the construction of a pedestrian corridor, installation of modular buildings for border guards and customs officers in both directions, canopies for inspecting passenger cars, a bay for in-depth inspection of vehicles and passenger buses, and a public restroom. The implementation of modern technologies will allow for the automation and standardization of processes at all stages of border crossing.

“The Modernization Project of the Uzhhorod-Vysne Nemecke checkpoint is an important step towards improving the infrastructure on Ukraine’s western border. This project will significantly increase the throughput capacity, which will help both reduce queues at the border and increase cargo turnover. Comfortable and safe conditions will be created for passengers and employees of the BCP that meet modern standards and norms.  We are pleased to thank our partners for their systematic support of the Agency for Restoration,” said Roman Komendant, Acting Head of the Agency for Restoration. 

Between 2023 and 2026, USAID, through ERA, is dedicating $115 million to support the Government of Ukraine. This support includes the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry for Restoration), the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (Agency for Restoration), the State Customs Service, and Ukrainian Railways (UZ) to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs).