Armenian car dealers complain about ban on re-export of European cars to Russia

Export and re-export of European-made cars from Georgia to Russia continues as usual, and the restriction may have so far unofficially affected only re-export from Armenia.

A source in the profile business circles of Georgia told Kommersant daily, commenting on the statements of Armenian businessmen that the ban on the export and re-export of European cars to the Russian Federation through Georgia, which officially comes into force on September 26, is already in effect.

The Association of Auto Importers of Georgia told the publication that the decision of the revenue service of the Finance Ministry to ban the export and re-export of European cars to Russia comes into force on September 26, and now "the export of these cars continues as usual".

A source in the association does not rule out that problems arise at the Kazbegi-Upper Lars checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border if cars are re-exported not from Georgia, but from Armenia. Although there are no official documents justifying selectivity.

Until recently, the following scheme was in effect: first, cars arrived at the Georgian port of Poti, from there they were delivered to Armenia, where it cleared customs at the rates of the EurAsEC, after which they were dispatched to the Russian Federation. Now, according to the affected Armenian car dealers, it is the Armenian, and not the Georgian exporters who have problems.

Meanwhile, the press service of the Georgian Finance Ministry did not confirm to the paper that there is some “selectivity” in relation to the re-export of cars from Armenia.

An employee of the press service told the paper that the ban for both Georgia and Armenia will come into force at the end of September, and now “if Armenian dealers cannot drive a car through the checkpoint, then most likely it is due to the restrictions that were in effect even before the order of the revenue service to ban the export and re-export of European cars.