Meeting Held at the State Revenue Committee with Representatives of Clothing Shipping Companies

A meeting was held at the State Revenue Committee with representatives of organizations engaged in clothing shipping to discuss recent issues related to clothing imports. The head of the SRC, Edward Hovhannisyan, urged participants for constructive dialogue and assured that the committee is open and ready for healthy discussions, collaboration, and proposals, based on a principled and uncompromising fight against the shadow economy.

It was noted that there have been meetings and discussions on various platforms to revisit the issue, ensuring that solutions are more convenient and acceptable for entrepreneurs, while also lowering the value of clothing subject to customs duties per unit instead of per kilogram. The head of the committee informed that market values of these goods in the exporting countries have been studied to determine the customs values of goods, as well as monitoring has been conducted in local retail trade centers, establishing possible minimum prices that could be paid for the product in the exporting country. Furthermore, they have been repeatedly informed about the legal requirements; however, implementation has been postponed for an extended period, including during the active pandemic phase. The committee has analyzed and predicted all possible risks, including the routes for importing goods through the EAEU territory and solutions for their neutralization or counteraction.

The head of the structure emphasized that they will be decisive and consistent in fully implementing the customs clearance of clothing in accordance with established procedures. “Today, the SRC must carry out its functions fully and exclusively within the framework of the law, whereas the previous method of customs clearance of imported clothing by weight contradicts this principle,” Edward Hovhannisyan stated.

At the end of the meeting, following comprehensive discussions, an agreement was reached to recognize the implementation of legal requirements in the customs clearance process. The representatives of the shipping companies agreed with the viewpoints presented by the SRC, noting that collaboration with the committee should continue in parallel with constructive dialogue and work with partners.