New Border Regulations for Goods and Equipment Transportation between Abkhazia and Georgia

SUKHUM / AQW'A ― By the order of the President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, a list of goods and equipment has been determined that can now be transported across the border with Georgia.

Alias Labakhua, First Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Abkhazia, clarified in an interview that the President's order applies solely to individuals.

Labakhua stated, "There are no consignments of goods related to transactions between legal entities. This order exclusively concerns individuals who can transport goods in their car trunks, and nothing more. Legal entities are not included. To facilitate transactions with individuals, we have installed terminals where they can pay customs duties and proceed to their destinations."

Transportation Guidelines

Per the presidential order, the following items can be transported across the border:

• Perennial and annual crop seedlings,
• Agricultural crop seeds and planting materials,
• Live poultry,
• Farm animal feed,
• Agricultural machinery,
• Agricultural production and processing equipment,
• Automobile transport,
• Car parts,
• Vehicle engine and other lubricating oils.

Regarding cargo inspection at the border, Labakhua confirmed that customs officers are prepared and have no issues. "If there is a document confirming payment of customs duties, the cargo will be allowed to pass. The rule is that no goods with Georgian markings will be permitted to cross," emphasized the First Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee.

According to Labakhua, if a person transports goods across the border too frequently, they will be assigned other types of payments. Regarding road transport, which is also allowed for import, he explained that there should be no more than one unit per person.

"The same rule applies to Psou, but there is another option. If a legal entity is transporting a batch of cars, then clearance is carried out. However, here (on the border with Georgia), there is no such thing. Instead, an individual must present a document issued by the manufacturing plant for the vehicle. While there is no such movement currently, we monitor the situation. If the appropriate documentation is provided, it will be assessed during the course of work," Labakhua said.

The State Customs Committee is prepared to carry out the President's order, as there are no problems with registration and collection of customs duties on the border with Georgia, he added.

Quarantine at the Border

The head of the Plant Quarantine Inspectorate, Arkady Dzhindzhia, said that the specialists of the department work at the customs post on the border with Georgia and are equipped with the necessary equipment to carry out their activities. At the same time, he noted that it is not yet known how much the movement of goods across the state border will increase in connection with the signed order.

"Goods will not be able to cross the border without inspection by the quarantine service. Our inspectors are stationed there and carefully check any goods related to our service," he emphasized.

Dzhindzhia noted that the quarantine service, in particular, has the ability to check seedlings that are on the list of goods allowed for transportation across the border.

"We inspect the seedlings for pests. We recently received a module, so if we suspect any pests or diseases, we will definitely check," said the head of the plant quarantine inspection.