The scientific article is devoted to the topical issue of forming the effective regulation of imports of goods in Ukraine due to the continued dominance of exports over imports in form of negative foreign trade balance since 2006, the prevalence of goods with a low degree of processing in the structure of exports, import of goods to Ukraine with high added value and substantial import dependence in certain sectors of economy. The aim of the article is to evaluate the existing system of tariff regulation of imports in terms of membership in the WTO and in connection with the integration of the European Economic Area, as well as analyzing of import dependence level in certain economic activities. The solution of this objective is based on the analysis of the dynamics of foreign trade of Ukraine for more than 15 years of Ukraine's independence. A description of the existing tariff regime in Ukraine and other member states of the WTO has been represented, as well as analysis of simple average and arithmetic average customs tariff rates. A structural assessment of import of goods to Ukraine from the Customs Union and Europe in the period to 2014 inclusive has been given and a gradual decrease in the share of CIS countries in imports since 2003 has been found. The evaluation of outward orientation process in industrial production based on indicators of import dependence, export orientation and inward orientation in certain economic activities has been represented. The scientific novelty of the results is the justification of the relationship of the exchange rate and import dynamics, identifying the main trends of import dependence of Ukraine's economy, as well as determining the impact of rate regulation on the dynamics and structure of imports. The practical significance is the possibility of taking into account the calculations in the choice of methods and tools of regulation of imports by public authorities.