Exporting goods from Armenia

What is the export procedure?

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Exporters need to go through the following steps:

 

First step: preparation of the export documentation package accompanied by a customs declaration and payment receipts confirming the payment of customs service fees.

 

Second step: the exporter prepares its products for export (sorting, packaging, labeling, weighing and other related actions) at his premises or in a specialized customs warehouse, wherever he considers appropriate. In both cases, the procedure is identical, except, the customs fees are twice higher when goods are prepared for export in the exporter’s premises.

 

Third step: submission of the customs declaration which, once accepted by the customs authorities, becomes the basis for customs clearance. The customs declaration form can be completed in hard copy or in electronic format through the computerized TWM system. It is not mandatory to complete a customs declaration at the customs office. The customs declaration may be completed and submitted either by the exporter or a customs broker at either one of their premises.  

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Fourth step: the exporter or a customs broker goes with a customs officer to the appropriate premises (warehouse) to check the cargo. If it is not practical to determine the weight of the cargo and the truck (lorry) at the exporter's premises, the exporter is required to take the truck to a customs warehouse and weigh it empty in order to get a weight slip (the truck is weighed empty and when it is loaded with the goods to see the difference in weight which will be the weight of the goods. The same logic applies to the packaged and non-packaged goods).

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Fifth step: If the customs officer does not record any irregularities in the cargo, the lorry is sealed and a report is issued confirming proper inspection of the cargo.

 

What are the export documents?

 

The following documents are required for export:

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• An invoice: the invoice should contain basic information about the exporter and buyer (name, address, email, tax/commercial license, if available), point of destination, brief description of the goods, unit price, total amount and currency, quantity of the goods (both netto & brutto), date and signature (seal, if available) of the exporter.

• The transportation document (consignment note/bill of lading/air waybill): This document indicates shipper’s and consignee’s name and address (email, phone if available), details of the transportation company, place of departure and arrival (with flight date and number), number of pieces (RSP), gross weight (including the total), name and quantity of the goods, fees and other charges, signature of the shipper or his agent, date and place of execution, signature of the issuer (carrier) or its agent.   

• Certificate of origin (if applicable): the requirement of this document depends mainly on the type of goods and their export destination. Certificate of origin is issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Armenian and certifies that the goods are produced (or originate from) in the Republic of Armenia.

• Weight slip: it is provided after weighing the truck (lorry), if the goods are shipped by a truck.

 

Depending on the type of the goods the following additional documents may be required:

 

• A phytosanitary certificate (permission): it is required in case of exporting fruits, plants, plant products or any other related regulated goods. This certificate is issued by the State Service for Food Safety and certifies that the goods have been inspected or tested in accordance with the relevant official procedures and are considered to be free from any quarantine pests specified by the destination country and are considered to conform with the phytosanitary requirements of that country.

• Veterinary certificate: it is required in case of exporting birds, fish, animals, reptiles or any other related regulated live organisms. This certificate is issued by the State Service for Food Safety and certifies that the animals are not from disease infected or dangerous areas, and before shipping, the animals were subjected to veterinarian inspection which did not reveal disease and any suspicions of it. It also certifies that the vehicle for shipping the animals is clean and disinfected. 

• Food safety certificate: this certificate is required in the case of exporting animal food products (such as chicken, pork, beef), and other related goods and is issued by the State Service for Food Safety.

• Export permission for dual-use goods:  a dual-use item is any item that is used for civilian purposes and, because of its qualities, can also be used for military applications as well as for developing a weapon of mass destruction and its delivery systems. The list of controlled dual-use items is approved by the RA Government decree No 1785-N adopted on December 15, 2011.

 

The list of dual-use goods in the European Union is provided for by Council Regulation (EC) 428/2009, issued on May 5, 2009.

This permission is issued by the Ministry of Economy and contains information about the exporter, the name, quantity and code of the item, the name, state and address of the end-user. There are three types of permissions: one-time, individual or general. An individual with no sole-proprietor status can be granted a one-time permission which allows one-time exportation. Individual or general permissions are issued to a legal entity or a sole-proprietor which allows them to export a controlled item to one and several end-users respectively and are valid for up to five years. 

 

How much are the export fees?

 

Taxes/customs duties

The rate of both VAT and customs duties for export is zero. This means that exporters are free from paying any taxes or customs duties for the exportation of all types of goods.

 

Customs fees (or state fees)

Exporters are charged for the following customs services and at the following rates:

• AMD 3,500 (approx. $ 7) for carrying out customs documentation procedures for goods (except inspection and placing of goods) crossing the customs border of Armenia.

• AMD 1,000 AMD (approx. $ 2) for carrying out control over goods weighing up to one ton and AMD 300 (approx. 0,7 cent) for each additional ton (or less ton).

• AMD 500,000 (approx. $ 1,043) for carrying out the placement of and customs control over goods transported during one month through pipelines and electricity cables in the same direction based on the same contract.

• AMD 1,000 (approx. $ 2) for a document (form) provided by the customs authorities. The list of documents that are subject to a charge is described by a decree of the State Revenue Committee.  

• AMD 10,000 (approx. $ 20) per each 100 km, for escorting within the territory of Armenia. Escorting can be required for transit shipments and certain types of goods.

• AMD 1,000 (approx. $ 2) per day for providing storage facilities for goods weighing up to one ton and AMD 300 (approx. 0,7 cent) for each additional ton (or less ton). For goods requiring special storage conditions, the fees are twice the indicated rates.

• AMD 2,000 (approx. $4) for the inspection of a vehicle with up to 10 seats and AMD 5,000 (approx. $ 11) for all other types of transportation.

 

In some cases, an individual is exempted from the duty to pay customs fees (such as, the exportation of agricultural products, goods that are worth than EUR 200, etc.).

 

If customs clearance services and other related duties are carried out outside of the designated places or after normal working hours, the fees are twice the indicated rates.

 

For the source of information, refer to this link.

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Customs broker fees

Customs brokers are state-certified individuals who assist physical and legal entities with customs clearance procedures. Importers and exporters can apply to a customs broker and get appropriate services based on mutually agreed conditions and prices.

 

Fees and procedure for phytosanitary certification

 

Phytosanitary certificates are issued free of charge.

Phytosanitary certificates for exporting plant products are issued within three days after the receipt of the application and have 14 days validity (from the date of issue until the day of crossing the border). Prior to issuing a phytosanitary certificate, a phytosanitary officer conducts a physical (visual) check of the goods in question and ensures their conformity with the phytosanitary requirements of the destination country. In case of presenting a phytosanitary passport, the phytosanitary certificate is issued immediately without physical inspection.

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If there is reasonable suspicion that plant products contain pests, a laboratory test will be carried out which takes up to one day (24 hours). Such tests may cost from AMD 8,000 (approx. $ 17) to AMD 30,000 (approx. $63).

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To obtain a phytosanitary certificate for exporting plant products and other products subject to phytosanitary control, exporters must apply to the State Phytosanitary Inspectorate and provide information about:

• The exporter (i.e., the organization or individual exporting the goods from Armenia);

• The destination country, and the destination point;

• The importer in the destination country;

• A description of the plant products being exported and the total volume; and

• The border crossing point at which the products will enter the country of export.

 

The phytosanitary certificate is issued in three copies and for every product type individually. The first copy is kept by the supplier, and the remaining two copies are kept at the customs office and the State Service for Food Safety, respectively.

 

Address of State Service for Food Safety

Komitas Ave., 49/2 Building, 0051, Yerevan, Armenia

Phone: +374-10-206040 , +374-12-906090

On the map:

website: www.snund.am

 

Fees and procedure for obtaining a veterinary certificate

Items subject to veterinary inspection may be exported only with:

• A veterinary certificate (or health or sanitary certificate and in case of exporting food products- food safety certificate), or

• HACCP or ISO 17025 certificate: HACCP certificate confirming that the producer of the good utilizes the HACCP system (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and/or an ISO 17025 certificate confirming that the certification body (laboratory) which certified the goods complies with ISO standards.

 

To export items subject to veterinary inspection, the exporter should apply to the VET inspection or an appropriate laboratory to test the goods. The veterinary certificate is issued based on laboratory test results.  Laboratory testing may take up to 3 days and cost from AMD 8,000 (approx. $ 17) to AMD 30,000 (approx. $63).

 

Items subject to veterinary inspection may be transported to EU states in accordance with the import requirements of the relevant EU directives.

 

Address of Republican Veterinary and Phytosanitary Laboratory Services:

12 Erebuni Street, Yerevan
Telephone: +37410 450960, 430413, 430421

www.snund.am

 

Fees and procedure for obtaining a certificate of origin

 

A certificate of origin is issued on the basis of an expert examination. It can be issued without an examination when:

• the products have been entirely produced in Armenia (including agricultural products),

• the products form a part of batch production if the raw materials used in the production and production methods remain unchanged.

 

The goods should pass full examination/testing before exporting the goods for the first time after which they can be certified through a simplified procedure (without examination/testing) for subsequent exports.

 

The certificate of origin must be issued within three days if the products need to be tested and within one day if no testing is required.

 

There are three types of certificates of origin issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (henceforth: Chamber), depending on the country of destination, which are as follows:

• “CT-1” Certificate in Russian for exporting goods to CIS countries,

• “A” type Certificate in English for exporting goods to the European Union member states and other countries having the same requirements,

• Ordinary certificate in English for exporting goods elsewhere.

 

A certificate of origin is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

The certificate is issued in four copies: three copies are given to the applicant; one copy is kept at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for a period of three years.

The procedure and the list of required documents is provided for by the Government Decree No. 1772 “On Approving the Procedures of Providing Certificates of Origin and Conducting Tests for Certification of Origin” adopted on December 30, 2010.

 

Fees to obtain a certificate of origin are as follows:

• For goods being certified (exported) for the first time with full initial inspection - AMD 30,000 (approx. USD 65, VAT included);

• For goods wholly obtained, originated or grown in Armenia, without examination/testing – AMD 10000 (approx. USD 20, VAT included);  

• For the goods which previously have already been certified, without examination/testing AMD 10000 (approx. USD 20, VAT included);

• For locally produced agricultural goods that weight up to 2.5 tons, without examination/testing - AMD 2000 (approx. USD 5, VAT included). 

 

Address of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Armenia

11 Khanjyan Street, 0010, Yerevan 
Telephone: +37410 560184, 560196;

 

Fees and procedure for obtaining export permission for dual-use items

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To obtain export permission for a dual-use item, the exporter or his representative should submit the following documents:

• An application containing the relevant details about the applicant (name, status, address, registration number, etc.);

• An end-user certificate;

• The technical description of the dual-use goods being exported;

• A copy of the agreement governing the transfer of the dual-use items;

• A written declaration of the exporting entity or an expert opinion on whether the goods being exported are included in the list of controlled items.

 

Unlike the old regulation, currently, an exporter (producer) is not obliged to pass a special test conducted by the relevant certified body in order to authenticate the items for export and to determine whether or not such goods are dual-use items. It means that the exporter (producer) with knowledge of the goods in question has an alternative option of applying to the Ministry of Economy for obtaining permission for the export of a dual-use item without having such a third party “expert opinion”. The time period for the testing of dual-use goods may be extended by a maximum of 10 days and the costs may fluctuate from AMD 30.000 to 60.000 (approx. USD 60 - 130).

 

The maximum processing time for issuing (or rejecting to issue) expert permission for a dual-use item is 20 days following the date of submission of the mentioned documents to the Ministry of Economy.

 

Fees for obtaining an export permission dual-use items are as follows:

• Single (one time) license is issued free of charge;

• Individual license costs AMD 20,000 (approx. USD 45)

• General license costs AMD30,000 (approx. USD 65),

 

Address of Non-Proliferation Center (NPC) which specializes in providing expert opinions on dual-use items:

25 Pushkin Street, 0010, Yerevan, Armenia 
Telephone: +37410 532772

www.npc.am

 

NOTICE: The lists of documents and information required for customs control, and procedures for their submission to Customs Authorities are provided for by the Government decree No. 1779-N adopted on the 21st of November, 2003.

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Disclaimer

​Reading these articles and acting in accordance with them does not create an attorney-client relationship.  For simplicity, the articles on this website skip rules concerning certain less common situations and may not express strictly accurate legal wording. The information here is based on our own understanding and interpretation of legal provisions, and in some cases, may not reflect recent changes in the legislation and practice. You can contact us for more information

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