The Law on E-Commerce in Simple Terms: What an Entrepreneur Needs to Know

Law of Ukraine «On Electronic Commerce» No. 675-VIII is in force. The current version has been effective since January 1, 2024. (Zakon Rada) 

For an online store, this Law answers practical questions: what information must be displayed on the website, when an order becomes a contract, what confirmation must be provided to the buyer, what data may be collected, and what records must be retained after a sale.

Law No. 675-VIII itself does not require ordinary online stores to submit monthly or quarterly reports. Its main requirements must be met for every online sale and whenever information about the store changes.

Other applicable laws include the Law of Ukraine «On Consumer Rights Protection» No. 1023-XII, the Law of Ukraine «On Advertising» No. 270/96-VR, the Law of Ukraine «On Personal Data Protection» No. 2297-VI, the Law of Ukraine «On Payment Services» No. 1591-IX, and Law No. 265/95-VR governing ECRs and PECRs. The Electronic Commerce Law does not replace their requirements.

This material is for informational purposes only. Tax status, ECR and PECR requirements, and special conditions for selling certain products should be checked with an accountant or lawyer.

Key Points in One Minute

Display Seller Information on Your Website

This requirement applies to every Sole Proprietorship or company selling goods or services online.

Buyers must have easy and continuous access to information about the seller.

Legal entities must provide their full registered name. Sole Proprietorships must provide the owner's surname, first name, and patronymic.

The Law also requires the following information:

• the registered address of the legal entity or the relevant details of the Sole Proprietorship owner;

• an email address and/or online store website address;

• the legal entity's EDRPOU registration code or the Sole Proprietorship owner's tax identification number;

• license information if the activity requires a license;

• information on whether taxes are included in the price;

• delivery costs if the goods are delivered;

• other information required to be disclosed by law.

Simply put, buyers should be able to see who they are buying from, how to contact the seller, and how much the order will cost, including delivery.

What to Do

Review your «Contacts», «About Us», and «Payment and Delivery» pages, as well as the checkout process.

Update the website whenever your address, email, registration details, or license changes.

Real-World Example

In the first half of 2026, the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection received 3,633 complaints relating to online or distance purchases. Violations identified during inspections included the absence of necessary and reliable information about products or sellers. (State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection)

Legal provision: Article 7 of Law No. 675-VIII.

Official text of Law No. 675-VIII

Make Sure Buyers Receive Exactly What They Ordered

This requirement applies to online store sellers.

Article 7 requires the goods to match what the parties agreed upon when the order was placed, including quantity and quality.

For a store, this means the product name, model, size, color, included accessories, and other agreed specifications must match the goods actually delivered.

What to Do

Check the goods against the order before shipping.

If product specifications change, update the product listing before accepting new orders.

In Torgsoft

In Torgsoft, product information can be transferred to the website using «Warehouse → Online Store Synchronization». Synchronization can include product names, prices, photographs, descriptions, and specifications.

This helps keep information consistent between the inventory management system and the online store. The seller remains responsible for the accuracy of information provided to buyers.

Legal provision: Article 7, Part 2 of Law No. 675-VIII.

Law of Ukraine «On Electronic Commerce»

Check Licensing Requirements Before Selling Regulated Products Online

If selling certain goods or providing particular services requires a license or permit, they may be sold online only after the relevant document has been obtained.

This rule is expressly stated in Article 5, Part 4 of the Law.

For stores, it is relevant when specific activities are subject to licensing under specialized legislation.

Law No. 675-VIII does not establish the procedures for obtaining licenses. These must be checked under the relevant industry-specific legislation.

Legal provision: Article 5, Part 4 of Law No. 675-VIII.

Official text of Law No. 675-VIII

Make It Clear When an Order Is Placed

For an online store, an electronic contract is formed through an offer made by the seller and its acceptance by the buyer.

Legally, these are known as an offer and acceptance. An offer is a proposal to purchase goods under specified conditions. Acceptance is an action by which the buyer agrees to those conditions.

The buyer may accept the offer through an electronic message, an electronic form, or another action, provided the website clearly explains that this action constitutes acceptance of the terms.

Before confirming an order, the buyer must have the technical ability to correct the information entered.

After an order is placed, the seller must promptly acknowledge its receipt.

What to Do

Before the order confirmation button, show the buyer:

• the product;

• the quantity;

• the price;

• delivery details;

• the payment method;

• the order terms.

Allow the buyer to correct the quantity, address, and other entered information.

Send an order confirmation after checkout.

In Torgsoft

Orders from an online store can be received under «Document → Remote Customer Orders».

After processing an order, an invoice can be created. With the appropriate synchronization settings, an invoice may also be generated immediately and displayed under «Document → Sales with Invoice Issuance → Invoice».

The software helps process orders. The seller determines the wording of the offer, the terms of sale, and the legally significant moment of order acceptance in accordance with the Law.

Legal provision: Article 11 of Law No. 675-VIII.

Official text of Law No. 675-VIII

Provide Buyers with Purchase Confirmation

After an electronic purchase, customers must receive confirmation of the transaction.

This may be an electronic document, payment confirmation, sales or cash register receipt, ticket, voucher, or another document.

Under Article 11, the confirmation must include, in particular:

• conditions for exchanging or returning goods;

• the seller's name and registered address;

• the procedure for submitting complaints;

• warranty obligations;

• information about warranty-related services;

• the procedure for terminating the contract if its term is not specified.

Separately, Article 13 requires the person receiving payment to provide the buyer with a document confirming receipt of the funds and indicating the payment date.

The rules for using ECRs and PECRs are established by the separate Law of Ukraine No. 265/95-VR.

Law of Ukraine No. 265/95-VR on ECRs and PECRs

Example

A customer orders a jacket for UAH 2,400 and pays online.

After the transaction, the customer should have confirmation of the purchase and payment. The buyer must also have access to information about returns, the seller, and any applicable warranty.

In February 2026, the State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection reported a case in which a customer purchased a sewing machine from an online store, received a defective product, returned it to the seller, and subsequently sought assistance because the money had not been refunded. Following the review of the complaint, the customer received a refund. (State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection)

Legal provision: Article 11, Part 11 and Article 13, Part 3 of Law No. 675-VIII.

Law of Ukraine «On Electronic Commerce»

Collect Only the Information Needed to Fulfill an Order

This requirement applies to stores that collect customers' names, phone numbers, email addresses, delivery addresses, and other information during checkout.

The seller may request only the information necessary to conclude and perform the electronic contract.

Personal data obtained during an electronic transaction must be protected.

Article 14 also prohibits using the collected data for other purposes unless another legal basis for such use is provided by law or agreement between the parties.

The processing of personal data is additionally governed by Law of Ukraine No. 2297-VI. As of the date of this material, its current version has been in force since June 14, 2025. (Legislation of Ukraine)

What to Do

Review your checkout form.

For standard store deliveries, you usually need the buyer's details, contact information, and delivery address. Every additional field should have a clear purpose.

Do not use order information for other purposes without an appropriate legal basis.

Legal provision: Article 7, Part 4 and Article 14 of Law No. 675-VIII.

Law of Ukraine «On Personal Data Protection» No. 2297-VI

Manage Marketing Emails Separately

Article 10 regulates commercial electronic messages, meaning messages that promote goods, services, or businesses.

Such messages must be clearly identifiable as commercial communications. Recipients must have access to information about the seller.

If a message offers a discount, gift, or other incentive, the conditions must be accessible and unambiguous.

Article 10 itself contains rules on consent and the ability to opt out of future messages. Marketing communications are also subject to the Law of Ukraine «On Advertising» No. 270/96-VR, which establishes separate requirements for advertisements sent through electronic communications.

In practice, businesses should record consent to receive marketing messages and provide a simple way to unsubscribe.

Legal provision: Article 10 of Law No. 675-VIII.

Law of Ukraine «On Advertising» No. 270/96-VR

Retain Orders and Electronic Documents

Electronic messages related to a contract may be used as evidence in a dispute.

Therefore, an online store should retain the order history: what the customer ordered, what price was displayed, which terms were accepted, when the seller confirmed the order, and which documents were provided to the buyer.

If the law or a contract establishes a retention period for a particular document, that electronic document must be retained for the specified period.

Article 15 establishes an additional minimum: the archival retention period for electronic documents must be at least as long as the applicable limitation period for bringing a legal claim.

General rules on electronic documents are established by Law of Ukraine No. 851-IV. The version dated December 31, 2023, is in force. (Legislation of Ukraine)

What to Do

Retain:

• orders;

• order confirmations;

• invoices;

• payment documents;

• electronic messages concerning order changes;

• return-related documents;

• the terms of sale applicable on the purchase date, where needed to prove the agreement.

In Torgsoft

After receiving orders from an online store, they can be managed in the software through «Remote Customer Orders» and «Sales with Invoice Issuance». Online store orders are linked to invoices and sales documents in the software.

This helps preserve the history of sales transactions. The legally required document retention period depends on the legislation and document type.

Legal provision: Article 11, Part 13 and Article 15 of Law No. 675-VIII.

Law of Ukraine «On Electronic Documents and Electronic Document Management» No. 851-IV

What Liability Applies?

Law No. 675-VIII does not establish a single fixed penalty for every violation.

Articles 17 and 19 establish the general rule: parties are liable for failing to fulfill their obligations under the law or contract, while violations of electronic commerce legislation entail liability established by other laws.

Therefore, the amount and type of penalty depend on the specific violation. For an online store, applicable provisions may include consumer protection, personal data, advertising, ECR legislation, and other specialized regulations.

Legal provision: Articles 17 and 19 of Law No. 675-VIII.

Official text of Law No. 675-VIII

What to Check in Your Online Store

1. Display complete information about the Sole Proprietorship or legal entity.

2. Check your address, email, and tax details.

3. Show buyers the full order price and delivery costs.

4. Check product listings against actual specifications.

5. Allow buyers to correct their orders before confirmation.

6. Confirm receipt of every online order.

7. Provide documents confirming the purchase and receipt of payment.

8. Display return conditions, warranty information, and complaint procedures.

9. Collect only the personal data needed for the sale.

10. Retain electronic documents and order histories.

Common Mistakes

1. The website displays only a phone number and store name without identifying the seller.

2. The buyer learns the delivery cost only after placing the order.

3. Outdated product photos, prices, or specifications remain on the website.

4. The checkout button does not explain what action the buyer is confirming.

5. The store does not send confirmation that an order has been received.

6. After the sale, information about returns and complaint procedures is not accessible.

7. The checkout form collects information that is not needed for the sale.

8. Order histories and electronic correspondence are deleted immediately after delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Placing an Order on a Website Create a Contract?

An electronic contract is formed when the seller makes an offer and the buyer accepts it in accordance with Article 11. The buyer's specific action indicating acceptance must be clearly defined on the website.

Is It Necessary to Send an Order Confirmation?

Yes. If the buyer places an order through an information system, the seller must promptly acknowledge its receipt.

Can an Electronic Contract Be Legally Binding Without Paper Documents?

Yes. The Law recognizes electronic transactions. Subject to the conditions provided in Article 12, an electronic contract may have the same legal effect as a contract in writing.

Must the Address of a Sole Proprietorship Be Displayed on the Website?

Article 7 requires information about the seller, including the place of registration and actual residence of a Sole Proprietorship owner, as worded in the current version of the Law.

Is Sending an «Order Accepted» Message After Payment Sufficient?

The Law separately requires transaction confirmation containing specified information and a document confirming receipt of payment.

Can a Store Collect a Customer's Date of Birth Solely for Marketing?

Processing information that is not needed to fulfill an order requires a separate lawful basis. Law No. 675-VIII permits sellers to request only the information necessary for the transaction.

Can an Order Be Deleted After the Goods Are Shipped?

Article 15 requires electronic documents to be retained for the prescribed periods. Electronic orders and related messages may also serve as evidence.

Upcoming Changes

The official record for Law No. 675-VIII already contains a future version based on the new Law of Ukraine «On Consumer Rights Protection» No. 3153-IX, although it was not yet in force as of September 17, 2026. (Legislation of Ukraine)

The planned changes include new definitions of marketplaces, classified advertising platforms, and price comparison aggregators, as well as rules related to the E-Buyer Portal and information about electronic commerce businesses. (Legislation of Ukraine)

Sources

Law of Ukraine «On Electronic Commerce» dated September 3, 2015, No. 675-VIII: Articles 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, and 19.

Official text of Law No. 675-VIII

Law of Ukraine «On Consumer Rights Protection» No. 1023-XII, current version dated December 24, 2024. (Legislation of Ukraine)

Official text of Law No. 1023-XII

Law of Ukraine «On Personal Data Protection» No. 2297-VI, Articles 6, 8, and 24, and other provisions depending on the data processing activities. (Legislation of Ukraine)

Official text of Law No. 2297-VI

Law of Ukraine «On Electronic Documents and Electronic Document Management» No. 851-IV. (Legislation of Ukraine)

Official text of Law No. 851-IV