Armenia - Import Tariffs Armenia - Import Tariffs
Armenia’s accession to the Russian-led Eurasian Customs Union and the EAEU on January 2, 2015 has resulted in increased customs tariffs for the majority of imports. Armenia was required to harmonize its customs tariffs with those of the EAEU, with temporary exemptions for up to five years, for around 500 key imported goods (including foodstuffs). The common external tariff (CET) for the EAEU largely corresponds with Russian tariff rates. The Eurasian Economic Commission (EAEC) is the multilateral entity established by EAEU member countries to manage the Union. The EAEC handles the harmonization of all issues such as tariffs, tariff rate quotas, and licensing and certification between the member countries. However, implementation so far has been uneven and national governments still retain some discretion.
Current information on the harmonized tariffs of the Eurasian Union can be found in Russian here.
The full list of the goods for which Armenia negotiated temporary customs tariffs exemptions and their timing is available in the Annex 4 of the Treaty on Armenia's joining the Eurasian Economic Union. The text of the treaty with the Annex 4 can be found in Russian here:
Import tariffs on goods are classified pursuant to the international Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS). For exempt goods local tariffs are 0 or 10% in ad valorem terms and levied on Cost, Insurance, and Freight (C.I.F.) values.
Though the existing Customs Code still follows WTO rules, the application of market value (“reference pricing”), rather than transaction value, in the valuation of goods has been until recently a common practice, creating an unpredictable and intimidating environment for international traders as well as for domestic firms. At the same time, customs officials complain that importers systematically under-report the transaction value of goods to avoid tariffs, Value Added Tax (VAT), and excise taxes. To have an invoice calculated by transaction value method, the importer should submit a valid invoice for goods procured in the exporting country together with a customs declaration. The present Government has shown political will to implement post clearance audit to avoid the artificial reference pricing practices.
There are no duties on temporary imports, or imports made on credits to the government or pursuant to other international assistance. Armenia has no export tax. Customs authorities calculate and collect VAT (20%), road tax and environmental payments at the point of entry. However, after accession to the EAEU, products imported from Union member countries are exempt from this provision and importers instead have 20 days to make VAT payments. In addition, there are excise taxes on crude oil and derivative products, alcohol, and tobacco. For more information on payments see the Armenian Customs website.