Counteraction against the shadow fuel market: more than 463 million UAH of fines and almost 900 licenses suspended

Last year, the State Tax Service, as a part of counteraction against the shadow fuel market, imposed more than 463 million UAH of fines and suspended almost 900 licenses. This was informed by acting Head of the State Tax Service Lesya Karnaukh on the Facebook page.

"Shadow fuel market is not a minor violation. It is about significant budget losses, less resources for financing defense, reconstruction and social payments. Only systemic, not point-by-point measures can prevent this. And it is not about the pressure on business. It is about fair and transparent working rules for all market participants and protection of interests of each consumer" – she noted.

Main results for 2025:

- 6 015 actual audits were conducted

- 5 349 violations were detected

- 463.7 million UAH of fines were applied

- 886 licenses were suspended

- millions of UAH worth of fuel and equipment were seized from illegal circulation

Tax Service systematically monitors activities of gas stations. Data from tax reports, RRO and other electronic sources are used.

During audits, the following are recorded:

- sale of unaccounted fuel,

- lack of origin documents,

- violation of fiscal accounting.

"All "admirers" of schemes are waiting for millions of financial sanctions. When someone steals from the state, army, pensioners – the one must clearly understand that will have to answer for it" – Lesya Karnaukh emphasized.

Separate direction is interaction with the law enforcement agencies;

- 160 facts of illegal fuel sale were recorded together with the National Police

- 9 million UAH of fuel and equipment were seized from circulation.

Systematic work continues in 2026.

State Tax Service actively uses information received from citizens to identify illegal schemes: consumer appeals and complaints become the audit basis.

Facts about the fuel sale without licenses or with violations of fiscal accounting can be reported through the official communication channels.

Lesya Karnaukh also noted that the State Tax Service checks how licensed payers comply with salary requirements. This applies not only to the fuel sale, but also to alcohol, tobacco products and liquids for electronic cigarettes.

The average salary for enterprise must not be lower than 1.5 or 2 minimum salaries. Amount depends on the retail outlets location, their area and distance to the regional center. If all outlets are located outside the regional centers and further than 50 km from them and have an area of ​​up to 500 m² – the indicator of 1.5 minimum salaries is applied. If at least one outlet is located in the regional center, closer than 50 km to it or has an area of ​​over 500 m² – average salary must be no less than 2 minimum salaries. 

State Tax Service advises the taxpayers to check their figures now and not wait for audits. After all, such violation may result in the termination of license.

Systematic audits, termination of licenses, financial sanctions and elimination of illegal gas stations contribute to the un-shadowing of the fuel market and formation of transparent and safe conditions.