Moving to Azerbaijan

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

  • Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB)
  • Packing list
  • Pro-forma Invoice (ORIGINAL MUST ARRIVE WITH THE SHIPMENT!!!)
  • Copy of Passport (photo page)
  • Copy of ID (if returning Azeri citizen)
  • Letter of Employment (on Company’s or Embassy’s letterhead)
  • Photographs for all cultural items (carpets, paintings, musical instruments, ornaments, souvenirs, copper items, statues, swards, masks etc.)
  • Copy of Diplomatic Card (If Diplomats)

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

  • Waybill
  • Original title of the vehicle / technical passport of the vehicle.
  • Invoice indicating value of the Vehicle.
  • Copy of the passport.
  • Copy of valid visa.
  • Vehicle registration documents.
  • Power of attorney.
  • Employment confirmation.
  • Copy of Diplomatic card (Diplomats)
  • Ownership documents

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.
  • Imported cars or bikes must comply with EURO IV ecological standards and must be checked and confirmed by customs officials using the vehicle’s unique VIN number.
    • This applies even to diplomats

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

  • Precious jewelry, stones and currency can be imported only as accompanied baggage and must be declared with Customs authorities at the time of arrival.
  • Wine and spirits (limit of 3 L per shipment based on personal consumption). Tax and duties are based upon the percentage of alcohol:
    • From 1 euro per liter up to 2 euro per liter Customs duty
    • 25% of CIF value
    • 18% of VAT of CIF value
    • 0.5% of CIF value]
    • Customs fee

Prohibited Items

  • Weapons of all kinds
  • Pornography
  • Narcotics
  • Toxic and radioactive materials
  • Wildlife objects
  • Food items

Consignment Instructions

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

Cultural and Other Information