Country Guides
Azerbaijan
Start here
Overview
Explore sections
Guide Details
Household Goods
Documents
Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.
- Copy of passport with valid visa
- Bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
- Detailed valued inventory (separate valid inventory lists required for different categories of goods)
- Customs/shipping invoice describing main items (strictly required)
- Packing list
- Letter of employment from the registered company in Azerbaijan
- Power of attorney (if applicable)
Specific Information
Electrical appliances: Expatriates may import electrical appliances duty- and tax-free on a temporary basis. All electronic and electrical appliances must be clearly marked on the packing list with serial numbers. Only customs procedure fees of 0.3% plus 18% VAT on that amount apply.
Consumable goods: Import of all consumable goods (clothing, cosmetics, foodstuff, beverages, etc.) is subject to full customs duties and VAT. These items are not eligible for the temporary import exemption.
Azerbaijani citizens: Citizens are NOT permitted to import household goods on a temporary basis. They are liable for full taxes and duties of approximately 36% of CIF value, unless they hold a duty exemption certificate.
Customs declarations: A separate customs declaration must be issued for each group of goods. Cost: USD 150 per main page and USD 100 per additional page. The number of declarations depends on the variety of goods in the shipment. This can add significant cost.
Valued inventory critical: A valued inventory is strictly required. Documents showing the true value of goods should NOT be sent with the shipment (recommended by IAM guide to avoid reassessment). The customs/shipping invoice must describe the main items and include the CIF value.
Consignee presence: The consignee must be present at the destination and must have a valid visa.
Employment requirement: The consignee must be employed by a registered company in Azerbaijan.
Tariff rates: Azerbaijan simplified its tariff regime in 2018 to three rates: 0%, 5%, or 15%. Raw materials and machinery are generally 0%. Finished products and agricultural goods are typically 15%. VAT is 18%.
Duties & Taxes
Temporary import for expatriates (duty-free): Expatriates with a valid 12-month multiple-entry visa may import used household goods and personal effects duty- and tax-free on a temporary basis. The temporary import is valid until the visa expires. Only customs levy charges of 0.18%–0.30% of the invoice value apply. The temporary import declaration must be extended or the goods re-exported before the visa expires. Extension or renewal of temporary import is only allowed once. Customs may reject the temporary importation application.
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited Items
- Service and civilian weapons whose circulation is prohibited by law — Prohibited
- Military items and equipment — Prohibited
- Explosives — Prohibited
- Radioactive substances — Prohibited
- Narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and their precursors — Strictly prohibited, including tools for their production
- Materials propagating immorality, violence, or terrorism — Prohibited
- Materials related to production of narcotics, psychotropic, poisonous, or explosive substances — Prohibited
- Right-hand drive vehicles — Prohibited
- Vehicles with tinted glass — Prohibited
- Pigeons — Prohibited
Restricted / Dutiable Items
Duty-Free Traveller Allowances (per State Customs Committee)
- 1.5 litres of alcoholic beverages
- 200 cigarettes
- 20 grams of gold jewellery
- 0.5 carat diamonds
- Up to 30 kg of various food products
- 2 goods of the same type per individual per month, with total customs value not exceeding USD 800
Restricted Items
- Precious jewellery, stones, and currency — May only be imported as accompanied baggage; must be declared
- Artwork, antiques, and artefacts — Must be registered with Customs prior to importation; registration must be checked by the Customs Committee before import is allowed
- Wine and spirits — Subject to restrictions beyond the 1.5L allowance
- Cash exceeding USD 10,000 — Must be declared; amounts up to USD 50,000 require a written declaration; amounts exceeding USD 50,000 are subject to additional controls
- Sturgeon and caviar for export — Up to 5 kg of sturgeon and 125 grams of caviar per person
Importing a Used Personal Vehicle
Required Documents
- Copy of passport
- Bill of lading (OBL) / AWB
- Original vehicle documents (title, registration)
- Vehicle invoice / valuation
- Diplomatic franchise (diplomats only)
Specific Information
Diplomats only for duty-free: Only diplomats can import vehicles without deposits on a duty-free basis.
Temporary import (non-diplomats): Vehicles can be imported for a maximum of 12 months on a temporary basis. After 12 months, vehicles must be re-exported or permanent import duties must be paid.
Permanent import: Subject to customs duties per the customs tariff, based on vehicle type, age, and engine capacity.
Right-hand drive vehicles prohibited: Right-hand drive vehicles may NOT be imported into Azerbaijan.
Tinted glass prohibited: Vehicles with tinted glass may not be imported.
Driving: Driving is on the RIGHT-hand side of the road.
Pets
- Veterinary health certificate issued within 5 days of departure
- Vaccination records (rabies and other diseases)
- Photos of the pet (per IAM guide)
- Permission from the Ministry of the Environment (per IAM guide)
Species permitted: Cats, dogs, and most species of birds may be imported with a veterinary health certificate. The certificate must confirm the animal is free from rabies and other diseases.
Pigeons prohibited: Pigeons cannot be imported into Azerbaijan.
Quarantine: No formal quarantine published for pets meeting documentation requirements.
Documents must accompany the pet: All vaccination and health documentation must travel with the animal.
Official authority: The State Customs Committee handles border controls. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources handles wildlife/environmental permits.
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.
Inventory: A detailed valued inventory is strictly required. Separate inventory lists should be prepared for different categories of goods.
Customs declarations: Issued per group of goods at USD 150/main page + USD 100/additional page. The number of declarations varies based on the shipment contents. This cost structure means movers should consolidate similar items where possible.
Routing / port of entry: Baku is the primary entry point for both sea freight (via the Port of Baku / Alat International Sea Trade Port on the Caspian Sea) and air freight (Heydar Aliyev International Airport). Azerbaijan is landlocked from the perspective of ocean shipping — sea freight from outside the Caspian region must arrive overland (typically through Georgia) or by air.
Currency: Azerbaijani manat (AZN). Cash over USD 10,000 must be declared.
Temporary import monitoring: Goods imported on a temporary basis are tracked by customs. Failure to re-export before visa/declaration expiry results in full duties being assessed retroactively.
Cultural & Other Information
- OpenFactBook (replaces CIA World Factbook): https://www.openfactbook.org/countries/azerbaijan/
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan
- State Customs Committee: https://customs.gov.az/en
- trade.gov — Azerbaijan Import Requirements: https://trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/azerbaijan-import-requirements-and-documentation
Key country facts: Azerbaijan is located in the South Caucasus, bordered by Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, and Turkey (via the Nakhchivan exclave). The capital is Baku. The official language is Azerbaijani (Turkic). The currency is the Azerbaijani manat (AZN). Azerbaijan is not a member of the EU or EAEU. The economy is heavily oil-dependent. Tariff rates are simplified to 0%, 5%, or 15%. VAT is 18%. Driving is on the right-hand side.
Important notes for movers: The temporary import system is the defining feature of Azerbaijan's customs regime for expatriates. It means goods are not permanently imported — they must be re-exported when the expat leaves, or full duties (approximately 36% of CIF) will be assessed. Azerbaijani citizens face significantly higher costs (full 36% duties) than expatriates. The per-declaration fee structure (USD 150+/declaration) adds meaningful cost to complex shipments. The prohibition on right-hand drive vehicles and tinted glass is strictly enforced.
Regulatory Updates
- 2018: Azerbaijan simplified tariffs to three rates (0%, 5%, 15%), replacing a more complex regime.
- 2016: Higher tariffs imposed on certain imported goods to promote domestic production through import substitution.
- Ongoing: The State Customs Committee (customs.gov.az) maintains updated information for individuals including duty-free allowances.
Useful resources