Upper Lars Customs Post Blocks Entry of Armenian Cheese to Russia: Spayka

The cheese produced by Spayka has been returned to Armenia without any grounds, the company reports.

In a message released, Spayka states: “A total of 21 tons of blue mold cheese produced at Spayka’s newly built cheese factory was returned to Armenia after being held at the Upper Lars customs post in Russia for 24 days. The Upper Lars customs post prohibited the entry of Armenian cheese into Russia.”

“On November 5, 2019, employees at the Upper Lars customs post orally informed the truck driver that they could not allow the cheese to enter Russia and would send the shipment back to Armenia. This decision was based on the results of an inspection which indicated that the country of origin of the cheese was listed as ‘Armenia, Western Asia, Southeastern Europe’.”

“From the very first day, the company has sent letters, notifications, additional information, documents, videos, and media reports about the opening of the company’s cheese factory to the management of the Upper Lars customs post and the customs service of North Ossetia in Russia, to confirm that the cheese was produced in Armenia.”

The Armenian Minister of Economy has been informed about the issue from day one and is working towards a systematic solution. A letter has also been sent to the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) regarding the issue.

Due to the arbitrary and unlawful actions of the Upper Lars customs post, the company is incurring significant losses; the cheese was held beyond its expiration date for 24 days, and the company faced penalties and fines from clients for not delivering the cheese.

To date, the company has not received the conclusion of the laboratory inspection conducted by the Upper Lars customs post. The company is unclear why the cheese produced in Armenia was considered to be from another country by the Russian customs officials.

The company will continue to fight to protect its interests and rights against the unlawful and illogical actions of the Upper Lars customs post, as well as to recover the damages incurred.

The company invites all concerned individuals to visit its cheese factory to see the cheese production process.

P.S. The representative of the Russian Customs Service in Armenia has also visited the company’s cheese factory and familiarized himself with the entire production process.”