The State Food and Consumer Service reminded businesses of fines for such violations.
In Ukraine refusal to customers to make non-cash payments for purchases — purchased goods and services — in retail outlets is already considered a restriction of consumer rights and is a violation of the requirements of the law, for which responsibility is provided, reports the Chronicle.info with reference to RBC-Ukraine.
The department noted that recently the number of consumer complaints about the refusal of sellers in cashless payments has increased. In this connection, the Service reminded businesses of the penalties for such violations.
Thus, according to Article 17 of the Law of Ukraine «On Protection of Consumer Rights», all consumers are equally recognized the right to satisfaction their needs in the field of trade and other types of services.
It is not allowed to establish any advantages, use direct or indirect restrictions on consumer rights (except as provided by regulatory legal acts).
For refusal to accept payment by card for purchased goods and services, liability is provided for in Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine & # 171; On Protection of Consumer Rights & # 187; and Article 155 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses.
A business can be fined for refusing to exercise its rights to a buyer in an amount equal to ten times the cost of the goods (at least UAH 85) or 500 non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens, that is, UAH 8,500. In addition, a fine of up to 27 non-taxable minimums or 459 hryvnias is threatened for violation of trade rules.
If the buyer is faced with such a refusal to accept non-cash payment, he can contact the State Food and Consumer Service of Ukraine and its territorial bodies with the appropriate appeal &# 8212; a sample can be found at this link.
At the same time, it is noted that the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of 2010 exempts certain categories of sellers in settlements with a population of less than 25 thousand people from the mandatory acceptance of special means of payment for payments for sold goods.
Recall that, according to the Tax Code of Ukraine, from January 1, 2022, single tax payers of the second to fourth groups who conduct cash settlements are obliged to use settlement transaction registrars and/or software registrars of settlement transactions in their activities.< /p>
Sanctions for violation of the use of cash registers include a fine of 100% of the value of goods sold in violation, and for subsequent — already 150% of the value of the goods.