THE ROLE OF DIGITALIZATION OF UKRAINE'S CUSTOMS SERVICE IN ENSURING FOREIGN TRADE ACTIVITY UNDER WAR CONDITIONS

Abstract

The article examines the role of digitalization of Ukraine's customs service as a factor in supporting foreign trade under conditions of full-scale war. The study analyzes the dynamics of foreign trade, which experienced a significant decline in the first year of war with substantial reduction in both exports and imports. The research systematizes the challenges faced by customs after the beginning of full-scale invasion: infrastructural damage caused by massive missile strikes, reorientation of cargo flows from sea to land routes through western borders, personnel shortage due to mobilization, systematic cyberattacks on information systems, and energy supply disruptions. The key digital adaptation mechanisms that enabled the customs service to maintain functionality are identified: expansion of electronic declaration enabling remote cargo processing around the clock, development of the Single Window system centralizing interaction with regulatory authorities, implementation of common transit procedure facilitating reorientation to European routes, automation of risk management optimizing the use of limited personnel resources, and cloud technologies ensuring system resilience to physical damage. The economic effects of digitalization are investigated through analysis of the Customs Index dynamics, which reached a historical maximum during the research period, reduction of cargo processing time and transaction costs for businesses, and preservation of customs revenues to the state budget despite structural changes in trade flows. A SWOT analysis of customs service digitalization has been developed, revealing strengths including digital infrastructure created before the war and high level of personnel digital competencies, weaknesses related to partial dependence on external technologies, opportunities for accelerated European integration and implementation of artificial intelligence and blockchain, and threats associated with cyberattacks and energy dependence. Short-term, medium-term, and long-term priorities for further development of customs digital infrastructure are substantiated to ensure full integration into the European customs space and transformation into a fully digital service-oriented organization.