Customs law instruments for the protection of land and natural resources in cross-border trade
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The protection of land and natural resources in cross-border trade is becoming increasingly important due to the growing volume of foreign economic operations, intensifying environmental risks, and the need for effective state control over the movement of resources across customs borders. Fragmented regulatory frameworks, the distribution of competences among customs, environmental protection and other public authorities, as well as risks associated with the illicit movement of natural resources necessitate the development of effective legal instruments for their protection. The harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with European Union legal standards in the fields of customs regulation, environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources further reinforces the relevance of this issue. The purpose of the article is to determine the content and functional purpose of customs law instruments for protecting land and natural resources in cross-border trade, identify the main challenges of their practical implementation, and substantiate directions for improving the relevant legal framework. The study examines the regulatory foundations of customs control over goods and objects whose movement may pose risks to land resources, environmental conditions and ecological security. Particular attention is paid to the role of authorization, control, information and preventive instruments in preventing violations of customs and environmental legislation. The methodological basis of the research comprises formal legal, systemic, comparative legal and functional methods. Their application enables a comprehensive examination of regulatory provisions, the competences of authorized public authorities, mechanisms of interagency cooperation, and international practices governing the cross-border movement of natural resources. Particular emphasis is placed on European Union law, international environmental standards and the prospects for their implementation within the Ukrainian legal framework. The study substantiates that the effectiveness of protecting land and natural resources depends on the coherence of customs procedures with environmental requirements, the digitalization of control operations, the improvement of risk management systems, and enhanced information exchange among competent public institutions. Directions for developing the customs law framework are proposed, aimed at strengthening the preventive capacity of customs control, minimizing environmental risks, and ensuring the rational use of natural resources within international economic exchange.
Source: Academic Visions
Language: Ukrainian
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7208817731