The State Revenue Committee Issues Statement on Freight Transport from Iran to Armenia

The State Revenue Committee has issued a statement regarding freight transport from Iran to Armenia, announcing:

“Due to the global spread of the coronavirus and existing restrictions, the importation of goods from Iran to Armenia has been conducted via transshipment, with daily reloading of 70-80 vehicles. Freight transport to other regions of Armenia has been carried out with the escort of police officers, utilizing 80-100 vehicles per day. However, the Meghri Customs Point under the Southern Customs Administration has been receiving 150-180 freight vehicles daily from Iran, which is unprecedented for the normal operation of the customs point. The current situation has led to queues due to the unique characteristics of the customs point's throughput capacity. Despite each shift working continuously without breaks, congestion is unavoidable. Queues have also been caused by incomplete documentation submitted, delays in bank payments by declarants, as well as discrepancies in the weight, quantity, and names of the cargo, among other factors.

In order to ensure uninterrupted freight transport, it was permitted for Armenian drivers to enter the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran days ago for reloading at the Norduz customs point. Currently, the Norduz customs point is also significantly overloaded, with about 300 freight vehicles in line.

In this situation, the heads of the Meghri customs check-point and the Norduz customs point are in daily telephone discussions regarding issues and solutions.

To alleviate some of the congestion at the Meghri border crossing, the State Revenue Committee has decided to temporarily fill in transit declarations for goods imported from Iran by trucks registered in Armenia at the Meghri customs check-point. These goods will then be sent to other customs bodies and terminals in Armenia, where final customs formalities and releases will be conducted.

The State Revenue Committee calls on drivers, individual entrepreneurs, and organizations involved in freight transport from the Islamic Republic of Iran using the Meghri border crossing, as well as the authorized persons representing them in customs bodies, to exhibit restraint and maintain discipline, particularly in emergency circumstances. They are encouraged to approach all arising issues with understanding until the unrestricted movement of vehicles from the Islamic Republic of Iran within the territory of Armenia is implemented.”