Georgia blocks car deliveries to Russia

Georgia has blocked car deliveries to Russia, and now border guards are not allowing any cars to enter the country through the Verkhny Lars checkpoint.

Georgia restricted exports of US cars with an engine displacement of 1.9 litres and above, as well as hybrids and electric vehicles, effective August 1. The ban on European cars is already in effect, although it was expected to come into effect on September 26. Re-exported cars from Armenia are also not allowed through, VPost reports.

The export of passenger cars to Russia was an important item of foreign economic activity for Georgia, the note said. In the first half of 2023, 3.8 thousand cars worth $53 million were transported to Russia, which is 3.7 times more than a year earlier. At the same time, every sixth used car and almost 2 per cent of new cars were delivered from Armenia in July.

In Russia, the share of independent imports of cars from Georgia was low, experts said. According to data from the Avtostat analytical agency, Georgia accounted for 1.4 per cent of the 41,600 cars delivered in June.