Our border crossing experiences
Georgia to Armenia
We left Georgia already after three days because most passes are still closed or to dangerous due to snow. We changed our plan and are visiting Armenia the next month and then come back to Georgia.
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We crossed the Gyumri (Bavra) border 7 april 2023 and there where no cars and just a few trucks. Getting out of Georgia went fast, the officers wanted to see the cabin from the inside and stamped our passports. Basco, our dog, was greeted but as at any border no checking of any health or dog passports.
The Armenie passport check went fast and minutes later we where ready to have the truck weighed.
Allthough we were the only ones we had to wait for an officer for allmost an hour.
After this we where directed to the X-ray. The officer got nervous, but it was our dog still in the Unimog and not an hidden passenger.
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The last step was to pay the € 20,- customs fee and get all the documents verified by the customs officer. Although I was the only one there the computer work took almost an hour. Be aware, there is no ATM and only cash is accepted. US$, €, GEL and AMD.
The last form to fill out was a statement about the insurance which we had applied for and paid a day before. https://aswa.am 90 days is around euro 30,- Formally you must print this form and have it visible behind you windscreen.
Turkey to Georgia
April 2023 we entered Georgie via the Sarpi border, just south from Batumi. The crossing took not even an hour.
Now we are not insured anymore because we just left the “green card” countries” we stopped the insurance and stopped the Dutch road tax. In Georgië we bought a 90 days insurance online for € 63,- via asma.am.
Armenie to Georgia
We took a very small crossing from Saatlo to Gogavan. There was nobody else there at that moment. After a short vehicle inspection the Armenie officers gave us two apples as a thank you for visiting Armenie and we could go. The insurance we bought 1,5 month ago is still valid.
Long term parking in Georgia
We want to leave our truck for 4 months in Georgia. This is not allowed and below you find the rules Georgia mailed us.
Sir Madam
Regarding your e-mail dated May 15, 2023, we inform you that in accordance with Article 2 of the Order #257 of the Minister of Finance, Appendix #8, regarding the approval of instructions on the movement and clearance of goods in the customs territory of Georgia, a citizen of a foreign country in the customs territory of Georgia (including A light motor vehicle registered abroad, its trailer or semi-trailer, bus or motorcycle (with an engine displacement of more than 50 cm3) imported by a citizen of a foreign country, who is at the same time a citizen of Georgia) is declared in the automated database of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. 90 calendar days from the date of registration.
It should also be taken into account that in order not to be penalized for this, before the expiration of the mentioned period (within 90 calendar days), you must take the temporarily imported vehicle out of Georgia or put it in the temporary import procedure.
good luck
Revenue Service
The letter is informative
Also…
In repley to this email
Sir Madam
Regarding your e-mail of May 16, 2023, we inform you that the types of customs violations and liability are determined by Chapter XXX.
In general, we would like to inform you that according to Article 165 of the Customs Code, violation of the term of submission of goods/general declaration/declaration of goods or the term of vehicle declaration – results in a fine of 50 GEL for each full/incomplete day of delay, but not more than 1,000 GEL.
Note: The liability provided for in this article does not apply when the violation of the term of declaration of goods leads to the violation of the conditions of the customs procedure.
In addition, according to Article 171 of the same Code:
- Violation of the conditions of the customs procedure – results in a fine of 500 GEL.
- The action stipulated by the first part of this article, committed repeatedly, – results in a fine in the amount of 1,000 GEL. Note: The liability provided for in this article is not applicable when another liability is established for the same action in accordance with this Code.
We would also like to inform you that in accordance with Article 272 of the Tax Code, a person shall be liable for non-payment of the amount of tax due within the period established by the tax legislation. Surav is charged on the amount of tax, which is the difference between the amount of tax owed by the taxpayer and the amount of overpaid tax. Unless otherwise provided by this Code, the tax is charged for each overdue day, starting from the day after the tax payment deadline. The penalty is 0.05 percent of the unpaid tax amount for each day overdue. In case of overdue payment of the tax, the day of payment of the tax is considered as the overdue day.
In addition, we inform you that the classification of the offense belongs to the competence of the authorized person.
If you intend to leave the vehicle on the territory of Georgia after the expiration of the specified period, it must be submitted to the temporary import procedure by declaring the vehicle before the expiration of this period.
In accordance with Article 4, Clause 1, subparagraph “k” of the instruction approved by Annex #11 of Order #257 of the Minister of Finance “About the approval of instructions on the movement and clearance of goods in the customs territory of Georgia” (“On the procedure of temporary importation”) With full exemption from the payment, it is possible to treat the means of transport – land transport (including motorized bicycles, trailers, semi-trailers and various combinations of transport) and railway rolling stock; This term also includes spare parts, accessories and tools of said vehicle, which are present on the transport (including special devices related to loading, unloading, handling and protection of cargo);
Note:
- The terms used in this subsection have the following meanings:
a) “Commercial use” – transportation of passengers for remuneration or transportation of goods for commercial purposes with or without remuneration;
b) “Private use” – the use of a vehicle by a person for personal use, which excludes its commercial use; - In accordance with this subsection, it is also possible to import spare parts and equipment for the repair of temporarily imported vehicles.
- For temporary importation of a vehicle in accordance with this subsection:
a) A vehicle imported for commercial purposes must be registered outside the customs territory of Georgia, in the name of a foreign enterprise or a non-resident natural person, and must be imported and used by a person who does business outside the customs territory of Georgia;
b) A vehicle imported for personal use must be registered outside the customs territory of Georgia, in the name of a foreign enterprise or a non-resident natural person, and must be imported and used by a person based or a non-resident outside the customs territory of Georgia. - In accordance with this sub-clause, it is also possible to import a light vehicle included in commodity position 8703 of the SES ESN and/or a motorcycle included in commodity position 8711 (including a moped), which is registered in the territory of a foreign country, brought into the customs territory of Georgia by a citizen of Georgia and a guarantee is presented.
good luck
Revenue Service
The letter is informative
