Fine of up to 425,000 hryvnias for firewood without documents: how to avoid penalties.

According to inkorr.com: As the cold approached, Ukrainians are actively preparing for winter by stocking up on firewood for heating. However, foresters warn about the risks: purchasing timber without official documents can lead to significant fines. This is reported by

writes Novyny.LIVE.

What fines threaten for purchasing firewood without documents in October 2025

According to information from a forester at the Kyiv forestry, Mykola Kovalenko, acquiring illegally harvested firewood can result in a fine ranging from 34,000 to 425,000 hryvnias, depending on their value. In cases where the violation is particularly serious, the buyer may even face imprisonment for a term of 3 to 7 years. Criminal liability also applies to those who transport timber without the necessary documents.

Signs of firewood without documents

To avoid problems, the expert advises carefully verifying the seller and the origin of the firewood. Special attention should be paid to the following signs:

• Price. An unusually low cost compared to the market is the first signal of questionable goods.
• Documents. The seller must have a logging ticket or other official permits.
• Transport. A reliable seller delivers firewood using a logging truck with documents, rather than 'from the trunk' of a car.
• Marking. Legal firewood has tags, stamps, or labels with the forestry number.
• Origin. The seller is obliged to provide information about the site where logging took place.

Kovalenko recommends ordering firewood exclusively through official services, such as the state platform 'Drovaye'. This will ensure the safety of the transaction and confirm the legality of the timber.

Earlier we wrote about how much a cubic meter of beech and pine costs now. The Drovaye platform shared interesting information about firewood prices this year.

We remind you that compliance with legislation in the field of purchase and sale of timber is an important factor for the protection of forests and maintaining ecological balance. Responsible purchases not only help avoid fines but also contribute to the stability of the firewood market in Ukraine.