Armenia

Specific Information

Returning citizen clearance process: The client must apply to the State Revenue Committee for the duty-free exemption. The process can take up to approximately one month and storage charges will apply during this period. Required documents include a passport, a document confirming permanent residence abroad (with apostille or consular ratification), and a document from the RA Police Passport and Visa Department confirming the move to Armenia. Documents issued by foreign states (except the passport) must be submitted with apostille and notarised translation.

Non-diplomatic, non-exempt foreigners: Subject to import duties of approximately 4.00 EUR per kg (per FIDI guide). The 2017 IAM guide cited 4 EUR/1 kg gross but not less than 30% of CIF value. Standard customs duty rates in Armenia are 10% with 20% VAT, though specific rates vary by HS code.

Diplomats: Exempt from all import duties. Clearance takes approximately 1-2 days when all documents are provided.

Foreigners exempted through their organisation: Duty-free import is granted through the employer/embassy. The organisation provides the necessary exemption letters per its own policy.

EAEU single customs territory: Armenia is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), along with Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Goods moving between EAEU member states are not subject to customs duties. All goods from non-EAEU countries are cleared under EAEU customs regulations.

Customs declaration: All inbound shipments require a customs declaration for each HS code. The cost is USD 100 plus USD 15 per additional page per HS code (per IAM guide). The final number of HS codes is determined after clearance.

Electrical appliances: All electrical appliances with serial numbers are subject to certification. The cost is determined at the time of importation.

Customs clearance location: Western Customs Office at Zvartnots Airport. The Araratyan Customs House Department is located at Tsovakal Isakovi Ave., 10 Building, Yerevan 0082. The State Revenue Committee is at 3 Movses Khorenatsi Street, Yerevan 0015.

Storage: Parcels are stored at the transportation company's warehouse for 180 days free of charge. After this period, additional storage fees apply.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions — Returning citizens and repatriates: Per the Armenian government's official guidance (diaspora.gov.am and hartak.am), persons moving to Armenia for permanent residence can import personal property without customs duties if they meet all of the following conditions: they hold RA citizenship, or special or permanent residency in Armenia; they were absent from Armenia for at least 1,280 days (approximately 3.5 years) out of the 2,550-day period (7 years) before the issuance of these documents; and they have not previously used this privilege. The duty-free exemption covers: used personal items without factory packaging and labelling; household and personal appliances (3 of each type, e.g., refrigerator, TV, washing machine); one full set of each type of furniture; and other personal and household items without quantity restrictions. Items related to work/business activities are not exempt.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Bill of lading (OBL)
• Original technical passport / title
• Consignee's passport copy
• Consignee's residence card or diplomatic card
• Pro-forma invoice
• Power of attorney (as above)
• Interpol document confirming the car is not stolen (per IAM guide)
• Documents confirming vehicle registration and ownership in the individual's name, issued by a foreign authority For returning citizens importing duty-free:
• Document from the RA Police Passport and Visa Department confirming the move to Armenia for permanent residence For returning citizens importing duty-free:
• Letter of free temporary import granting permission for 12 months For foreigners temporarily importing:

Specific Information

Diplomats: Exempt from import duties on vehicles. Clearance takes approximately 2 days.

Non-diplomats: Must pay import duties. The amount depends on vehicle specifics (model, year, engine power, diesel/petrol). All non-diplomatic vehicles are forwarded to the city of Gyumri for customs clearance, which causes additional transport charges and significantly more time.

Returning citizens: May import one vehicle duty-free under the same conditions as household goods (1,280 days absence from Armenia in the preceding 7-year period, privilege not previously used). A security deposit may be required by customs, with the form and amount determined by customs authorities. Per the official government site, the exemption may not be transferred for a period after clearance.

Temporary importation: Foreigners may temporarily import a vehicle for 12 months with a letter granting temporary import permission. Extensions may be available depending on the case.

Vehicle age: No specific age restriction is published in either the IAM or FIDI guide for household-move vehicles. However, EAEU regulations may apply.

Driving: Driving is on the right-hand side of the road.

Pets

• Veterinary certificate with notes on clinical examination, made by an authorised veterinarian within 5 days of departure to Armenia From EAEU Countries (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan)
• International pet passport containing vaccination records (an EU Pet Passport is acceptable; a separate veterinary certificate is not accepted per IATA — the passport itself is the required document) From All Other Countries
• Proof of current rabies vaccination (administered at least 21 days before travel, not expired) From All Other Countries
• For dogs: vaccinations against canine distemper, hepatitis, viral enteritis, parvovirus and adenovirus infections, and leptospirosis From All Other Countries
• For cats: vaccination against panleukopenia From All Other Countries
• All vaccinations must have been given not later than 20 days before departure and within the last 12 months From All Other Countries
• ISO-compliant microchip (strongly recommended; may be required by airlines and for return travel) From All Other Countries
• Health certificate issued within 5 days of travel by a licensed veterinarian, endorsed by the government veterinary authority (USDA/APHIS for US-origin pets) From All Other Countries
• Rabies titer test — required for pets arriving from countries NOT on the list of approved rabies-controlled/rabies-free countries (see below). Not required from approved countries including the US, EU member states, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, and others. From All Other Countries

Official authority: The State Food Safety Service (formerly the Food Safety Inspection Body/FSIB) under the Armenian government handles veterinary import controls. Contact: 49/2 Komitas Ave., Yerevan 0051.

Import permit: Not required for 1-2 personal pet dogs or cats travelling with their owners (per PetTravel.com and armenian-lawyer.com). USDA APHIS confirms travellers may import up to 5 pets without requiring special permissions or quarantine. PetRelocation states an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture is required — this discrepancy may reflect whether pets travel as accompanied baggage (no permit) or as cargo (permit needed). Confirm with the destination agent.

Maximum pets per person: Up to 5 dogs and/or cats without additional special permissions or quarantine (per USDA APHIS). IATA guidance states maximum 2 dogs and cats without an import permit. Use the more restrictive IATA figure unless confirmed otherwise.

Minimum age: Pets under 4 months of age are not allowed entry into Armenia (per PetRelocation). Aggressive animals are also not permitted.

Rabies vaccination timing: Must be current (not expired) and administered at least 21 days before travel. Vaccinations must have been given within the last 12 months and no later than 20 days before departure (per IATA).

Required vaccinations beyond rabies:

• Dogs: canine distemper, hepatitis, viral enteritis, parvovirus, adenovirus infections, leptospirosis
• Cats: panleukopenia
• These are mandatory (per IATA), not just recommended — a significant difference from many other countries.

Rabies titer test: Required for pets from countries not classified as rabies-controlled/rabies-free. Not required from an extensive list of approved countries including the US, Canada, EU states, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many others. The test must come from a government or accredited laboratory.

Quarantine: No quarantine for pets meeting all requirements. Pets under 4 months may be quarantined.

Entry method: Pets can enter as accompanied baggage (cabin for small pets) or as air cargo. IATA-compliant carriers required. Entry through Zvartnots International Airport (Yerevan).

Banned breeds: Armenia does not publish an official list of banned dog breeds. Pet owners are responsible for their pet's behaviour.

Return to the US: Armenia is classified by the CDC as a high-risk country for dog rabies. Enhanced CDC requirements apply for dogs returning to the US, including a rabies titer test for foreign-vaccinated dogs. Plan the return trip documentation in advance.

Common mistakes: Not having the additional required vaccinations beyond rabies (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis for dogs; panleukopenia for cats) — these are mandatory in Armenia. Confusing veterinary certificate requirements between EAEU and non-EAEU origins. Not allowing 21 days after rabies vaccination before travel.