Imported Cars to Receive Temporary License Plates at the Border

The police propose to relieve car importers from unnecessary paperwork and unjustified expenses.

According to the police, a proposal has been made to the government to amend a decision that has been in effect since 2010, which states that the customs clearance of imported vehicles is done not at the border, but in cities such as Sisian, Gyumri, or Yerevan, where the customs authorities issue 'Temporary' license plates for vehicles.

This regulation, in place for more than a decade, has forced importers of vehicles to resort to towing services to transport cars from the border to customs clearance locations, even if the vehicle is functional and can be driven into Armenia. The requirement for towing, according to the authors of the project, not only adds additional financial costs but also creates further obstacles for importers.

For example, transporting vehicles often causes issues due to bridge crossings and non-compliance with the maximum height limits of bridges in Armenia, compelling tow trucks to either circumvent bridges or lower the vehicles before reloading them.

To avoid these issues, the police suggest empowering customs authorities at the Armenian border to issue temporary license plates for imported vehicles. The government approved the proposed amendment during today’s session. It will come into effect ten days following its official announcement by the end of the year.