OREANDA-NEWS. September 22, 2008. Ukraine has given effect to the law delimiting functions of border guards and customs officers, and introducing a liberalized system for border crossing.

According to Kostiantyn Bezpalko, head of the Chop border unit (Zakarpattia region, West Ukraine), border guards will now finally deliver to customs their functions involving cargo checks.

Their competence will be passport control alone, when the customs will watch over observance of carriage rules.

Previously both services examined the luggage, and thus the procedure was rather protracted.

Better regulated traffic across checkpoints will also contribute to reduction of lines on the border. A special strip will be provided for passenger buses, the red line will be crossed by trucks, and the green by passenger cars not carrying goods subject to declaration.

Earlier the procedure was experimental, and now it was finally legalized.