Country Guide: Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

Bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
Packing list
Customs / shipping invoice
Power of attorney
Copy of passport
Copy of valid visa (non - citizens)
Letter of employment (on embassy letterhead)
Copy of diplomatic card (diplomats)
Valued Inventory in English or Russian

Specific Information

Owner of the goods must be present at the destination and employed with a registered company in Azerbaijan
Household goods and personal effects are subject to the payment of Customs duties and value added tax (VAT).
Temporary import is subject to permission from Customs Authorities.

Expatriates may apply for import of household goods on a temporary import basis if they have a 12 month multiple-entry visa but, Customs may reject this importation.
Temporary import declaration is valid until the time when the visa expires.
Extension or renewal of temporary import is only allowed once.

Import duties are charged and based on the costs, insurance, and freight (CIF value) of the shipment.
Citizens are not allowed to temporarily import personal items, unless the owner of the goods pays full tax and duties.
Each set of goods must have its own Custom declaration; the quantity of the declaration depends on the variety of goods in a shipment.
Customs / shipping invoice is strictly required for Customs clearance and must describe main items contained in the shipment (quantity, weight per piece, and value).

This allows local Customs authorities to determine import duty.
The invoice is strictly for Customs and may be different than the invoice used for insurance purposes.
Do not enclose the insurance list along with the shipping documents in order to avoid heavy Customs duties and taxes upon the shipments arrival.

Customs duties are charged on CIF value.
Therefore, the total CIF value must be clearly marked on the valued inventory.

IAM Note: It is recommended that documents showing the true value of the goods do not be sent with the shipment to avoid the payment of heavy Customs duties.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

Technical passport
Title / vehicle registration
Copy of passport
Copy of Azeri visa (non - citizens)
Original bill of lading / original air waybill
Employment confirmation (non - citizen)
Sale contract / invoice

Specific Information

Only diplomats can import vehicles without deposits on a duty free basis.
Vehicles can be imported for a maximum of 12 months on a temporary basis (after 12 months vehicles will be exported or re-declared for permanent import);
- Temporary import is subject to a refundable deposit;
  - The exact amount of the deposit will be determined by Customs authorities only after inspection and depending on the condition and model of the vehicle (only if consigned to a company).
The permanent import of vehicles is subject to the payment of customs duties per Customs tariff (non - citizens).
Right-hand drive cars and cars with tinted glass may not be imported.

Pets

Documents Required

Certificate of vaccination
Veterinary health certificate
Pet passport

Specific Information

Cats, dogs, and most species of birds must be accompanied by the veterinary health certificate, issued within 10 days of arrival.
Pigeons cannot be imported.

Antiques, Artifacts, Carpets, Paintings

Documents Required

Photographs and detailed list of artwort

Specific Information

All artwork, antiques, and artifacts must be registered with Customs prior to importation into Azerbaijan.
- Registration requires a detailed inventory including: description, quantity, country of origin, date of manufacture and value, along with a photograph.
  - Photograph of each item is needed to compare with the acutal item during inspection.
  - A stamp will be placed on the back of the photograph to register its import into Azerbaijan.
- If the following individual items are not registered at importation of the goods, they could cause complications when exporting the goods from Azerbaijan.
  - Ornaments
  - Souvenirs
  - Musical instruments
  - Paintings
  - Carpets
  - Vases
  - Statues
  - Antiques
  - Artifacts of any artistic, cultural or historical value

IAM Note: It is important for Custom Authorities to receive a detailed list and photographs of the items prior to the shipment’s arrival in Azerbaijan. If goods are in Azerbaijan and cleared through Customs, it is too late to provide photographs because Customs will not change the description of goods in the Customs declaration.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

Maximum of 1 - 2 small boxes of dry / tinned food
Cosmetics and hygienic / cleaning products are allowed for import as part of personal effects shipment
Precious jewelry, stones and currency can be imported only as accompanied baggage and must be declared with Customs authorities at the time of arrival.
- The declaration should be kept in the safe custody because the same will be required for presentation to the Customs authorities at the time of departure.
Wine and spirits (2 L)
- Tax and duties are based upon the percentage of alcohol:
  - US $1.00 / L - excise duty
  - Up to 30% of value - Customs duty (depending on the percent of alcohol)
  - 20% of value - VAT
  - 0.2% of value - Customs procedures duty
The following items may present problems during import.
- Extra guidance should be requested from the local agent in Azerbaijan prior to import:
  - Icons and religious images
  - Samovars
  - Copper pots
  - Carpets of non - Azeri origin
  - Saddle bags
  - Carpets made in Azerbaijan before 1961
  - Musical instruments made before 1961
  - Antique clocks

Prohibited Items

Weapons of all kinds
Pornography
Narcotics
Toxic and radioactive materials
Wildlife objects
Export of any item that is of Azeri culture or historical value

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Helpful Website(s):

http://www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/aj

http://www.azembassy.us

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/azerbaijan.html