Control Over Cognac Exports from Armenia to Russia

About 60 trucks loaded with cognac heading to Russia are waiting for inspection to be completed, as Russian customs conducts checks on cognac exported from Armenia. Sometimes, the products are sent for examination.

Vahan Hakobyan, the customs attaché at the Armenian Embassy in Russia, confirmed this information in an interview with Armenpress: "Control over cognac started very early in Russia. Since March or April, the Russian customs service has begun enforcing customs control on cognacs imported from Armenia. This is explained by the discovery of violations, such as counterfeit cognacs. Recently, the control has been tightened. Previously, inspections were conducted only on certain exporters or importers; at this moment, all cognac arriving from Armenia is subject to customs control," Hakobyan said.

He explained that there are two types of inspection: documentation or physical examination. As a result of the inspection, a decision may be made to send the product for examination. When the product is sent for examination, the trucks are forced to wait at the checkpoint until the responses arrive. According to the customs attaché, the main reason for the congestion of trucks is this waiting period for examination results, which can take from one week to one month. Currently, about 60 trucks are awaiting the completion of inspections.

"However, this does not prevent the trucks from continuing to process and exit, because cargo entering Russia from Armenia is being processed normally. This does not affect the overall volume," Hakobyan noted.

Addressing the suggestion that Russia is applying 'economic sanctions' against Armenia through these measures, the customs attaché emphasized that throughout their cooperation with Russian partners, it has been established that violations found include counterfeit cognacs and violations related to composition. Considering that this control has not just been introduced but has been in place since March-April, he suggests that the Russian side has objectivity in its checks.

When asked whether there is an intention to artificially create obstacles, Hakobyan stated that if any violations are found in a product in Armenia, customs control is strengthened in all cases. "The number of violations has increased; whether this is why the control has been enhanced or if there is some political context, I cannot answer that question, as I do not have that information," he said.

He also assured that if they understand that some trucks have been stuck for too long and are being treated unfairly by Armenian entrepreneurs, they immediately contact their Russian partners to discuss the issues in all possible ways. This information is also being provided to the State Revenue Committee and the embassy. There have been no reports of issues concerning other trucks transporting cargo from Armenia to Russia via the Upper Lars checkpoint. Currently, Armenian cargo volumes entering Russia are at a very high level, with customs attaché noting that such throughput has never been seen before. On average, about 200 trucks enter Russia daily.

Earlier, it was reported that Russia has begun to implement economic sanctions against Armenia, with Armenian cognac being the first product affected.