Does the Georgian Side Impose Restrictions on Armenian Drivers? Customs Attaché Explains

Armenian freight carriers are facing yet another challenge at the Upper Lars border crossing, this time concerning issues arising from the Georgian side.

Garik Danielyan, a member of the 'Armenia' parliamentary faction, stated on his Facebook page that drivers are reporting dissatisfaction from the Georgian side when Armenian trucks are loaded with more than 500 liters of diesel fuel. Drivers are either fined or warned in such cases. Often, for convenience, the trucks are equipped with two fuel tanks, exceeding a total of 1000 liters.

Vahan Hakobyan, the customs attaché at the Armenian Embassy in Russia, clarified in an interview with Tert.am that the Georgian side does not impose any restrictions on Armenian drivers. According to him, under new regulations implemented last year, Georgian law prohibits the entry of vehicles with additional fuel tanks that are not factory-installed.

Hakobyan noted that when vehicles with factory-installed additional fuel tanks enter Georgia, they are fined and sent back; however, this applies not only to Armenian drivers but also to all, including Georgian drivers who face fines.

While the customs attaché does not know how many Armenian freight trucks have returned from the Georgian border, he is working with the Russian side and has established contact with Georgian partners to clarify the issues arising.

“There were problems with freight trucks that entered the country with factory-installed two tanks, and the Georgian side could not find evidence that the second tank was installed by the factory, resulting in fines. We have agreed with the Georgian side that if Armenian drivers can present documents proving that the second tank is factory-installed, Georgia will not create problems and will allow the vehicles to pass,” he explained.

Regarding the issue, the customs attaché also mentioned that sometimes Armenian drivers add an additional tank to their vehicles to bring cheaper fuel from Georgia to Armenia, reducing their expenses.

“Georgia states that there are security issues, and if an additional tank is not authorized and is not factory-installed, they do not allow vehicles to enter the country full of fuel. If an Armenian driver shows documents proving that the second tank is legal and factory-installed, they can cross the border without restriction,” he elaborated.