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Georgia
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Household Goods
Documents
Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.
- Copy of passport
- Customs declaration
- Detailed packing list / inventory
- Bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
- Proof of permanent residence in Georgia (document issued by the Ministry of Justice confirming entry for permanent residence)
- For diplomats returning from assignment: rotation documentation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Specific Information
Georgian citizens returning after 6+ months abroad: Georgian citizens who have been abroad for more than 6 months may import goods valued up to GEL 15,000 duty-free (excluding vehicles, excisable goods, and food products).
Diplomats returning from rotation: Diplomats returning from assignment at Georgian diplomatic representations abroad may additionally import one refrigerator, one computer, and one TV per family duty-free.
General import duty structure: Georgia's tariff rates fall into three bands: 0%, 5%, and 12%. Nearly 90% of goods benefit from a zero rate of duty. This is one of the lowest tariff regimes in the region.
Customs declaration fee: A fee of approximately EUR 5 is charged per customs declaration for goods valued below GEL 3,000, and approximately EUR 60 for goods valued above GEL 3,000.
Currency: Georgian lari (GEL).
Language: Georgian is the official language. English is increasingly used in government services, particularly customs and tax administration.
ISPM 15: Wood packaging materials should comply with ISPM 15 standards.
Duties & Taxes
Duty-free conditions for permanent residents: Per the Georgian Revenue Service, goods not intended for economic activities (including furniture and household items) may be imported duty-free when entering Georgia for permanent residence, confirmed by a relevant document issued by the Ministry of Justice. This is one of the more straightforward duty-free regimes globally.
VAT: 18% VAT applies to most imported goods. This is calculated on the CIF value plus any applicable duty.
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and illegal drugs
- Counterfeit and pirated goods
- Unprocessed waste
- Weapons and ammunition without appropriate permits (PERMIT REQUIRED)
- CITES-protected species without permits (CITES)
- Pesticides without phytosanitary certificates
- Dual-use technology without export control certificates
- Pornographic materials
- Objects of national importance without authorization
Restricted / Dutiable Items
Traveller allowances (per 30 calendar days, persons aged 18+):
Per the Georgian Revenue Service official brochure:
By land/sea entry: goods up to GEL 500 and 30 kg total weight (non-food), plus food products up to GEL 500 and 30 kg per calendar day.
By air entry: goods up to GEL 3,000 and 30 kg total weight (non-food), plus food products up to GEL 500 and 30 kg per calendar day.
Tobacco (by any entry): 200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars OR 50 cigarillos OR 250 grams of other tobacco products, or a proportional combination not exceeding 100% of any individual limit.
Alcohol (by any entry): 1 litre of spirits (22%+ ABV) OR 2 litres of lower-strength alcohol (under 22% ABV) OR a proportional combination, OR 4 litres of wine; AND 16 litres of beer.
Goods exceeding limits: Imported goods exceeding allowances by weight are taxed at GEL 1 per kilogram.
Currency declaration: Funds of more than GEL 30,000 or its foreign equivalent must be declared to customs authorities.
Firearms and ammunition: Require a permit from official bodies in Georgia depending on the category.
Medication: Medication containing narcotic and psychotropic substances must be accompanied by a prescription.
Antiques and art: Export and import of antiques and art objects require authorization from the Ministry of Culture.
Importing a Used Personal Vehicle
Required Documents
- Copy of passport
- Original registration card / certificate of title
- Purchase invoice or proof of ownership
- Bill of lading / air waybill
- Customs declaration
Specific Information
Vehicle import duty: Per the Georgian Tax Code, the customs tariff on passenger cars is 0.05 GEL per cubic centimeter of engine capacity, plus 5% of that amount per each year of the vehicle's use. This is an unusual calculation method based on engine size and age rather than a flat percentage of CIF value.
18% VAT applies in addition to the customs tariff, calculated on CIF value plus duty.
No vehicle age restriction: Georgia does not impose a maximum age limit on imported vehicles. This is notable compared to many neighboring countries.
Driving: Driving is on the RIGHT-hand side of the road.
Technical inspection: Imported vehicles must pass a Georgian technical inspection. Georgia has been progressively tightening vehicle inspection standards.
Port of entry: The port of Poti on the Black Sea is the primary port for vehicle and cargo imports. Batumi is also used. Overland entry from Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan is common.
Pets
- ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip (must be implanted before vaccinations) Per PetTravel.com (February 2026):
- Rabies vaccination certificate (vaccination administered between 21 days and 11 months before arrival) Per PetTravel.com (February 2026):
- Additional vaccinations: dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza; cats must be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia (all within 11 months of import) Per PetTravel.com (February 2026):
- Internal parasite treatment administered prior to entry Per PetTravel.com (February 2026):
- International veterinary health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origin country Per PetTravel.com (February 2026):
Microchip required: ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. Must be implanted before vaccinations are administered.
No rabies titer test required: Georgia does not require a rabies titer test for pets from any country. However, PetTravel.com notes that Georgia is classified by WOAH as a high-rabies-risk country, so a titer test may be required when returning a pet to the origin country.
Additional vaccinations required: Unlike many countries, Georgia requires more than just rabies vaccination. Dogs need a full panel (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) and cats need feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia. All must be administered within 11 months of import.
No quarantine: Pets meeting all requirements are not quarantined. Non-compliant pets may be quarantined, returned, or euthanized at the importer's expense.
No import permit required: Per PetTravel.com, an import permit is not needed for personal pets.
No banned breeds: Georgia does not publish a list of banned dog breeds.
CDC high-risk rabies country: Georgia IS on the U.S. CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. This affects anyone returning to the U.S. with a dog. U.S.-vaccinated dogs must have a Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form completed before departing the U.S. Source: CDC High-Risk Countries List -- verified, Georgia listed.
Common mistakes: Not having the microchip implanted before the first vaccination. Overlooking the additional (non-rabies) vaccination requirements, which are more extensive than most countries. Not getting the internal parasite treatment. Not planning for CDC requirements when returning a dog to the U.S.
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air, sea, and overland shipments.
Georgia is one of the easiest countries for customs clearance in the region. The government has invested heavily in simplifying customs procedures as part of broader economic liberalization. Nearly 90% of goods carry a 0% tariff rate, and the process for household goods for permanent residents is straightforward.
Ports of entry: Poti and Batumi (Black Sea coast) for sea freight. Tbilisi International Airport for air freight. Overland entry points from Turkey (Sarpi, Vale), Armenia (Sadakhlo), and Azerbaijan (Red Bridge/Tsiteli Khidi).
Storage: Customs storage charges apply after 5 free days at approximately GEL 10 per day.
Occupied territories: Abkhazia and South Ossetia are occupied territories with separate de facto border controls. Goods shipped to these regions do not pass through Georgian customs in the normal sense and require special arrangements.
Cultural & Other Information
- OpenFactBook (replaces CIA World Factbook): Georgia -- verified 200
- Wikipedia: Georgia (country)) -- verified 403 to bots, works in browser
- Georgian Revenue Service: rs.ge -- verified 200 (customs and tax authority)
- Georgian National Food Agency (NFA): nfa.gov.ge/en -- verified 200 (veterinary/phytosanitary authority for pet imports)
- Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: mfa.gov.ge/en -- now confirmed Active (200) -- resolved from May 2026 outage (HTTP 000)
- Georgian Revenue Service - Exemptions Brochure (PDF): Exemption of goods from duties and declaring -- verified, 6-page PDF
Key country facts: Georgia is a country in the South Caucasus region, at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, bordered by Russia, Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, with a Black Sea coastline. The capital is Tbilisi. The official language is Georgian. The currency is the Georgian lari (GEL). Georgia has a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) agreement with the EU. The economy relies on tourism, agriculture (wine), mining, and transit trade. VAT is 18%. Driving is on the right-hand side. Georgia has one of the most liberalized trade regimes among non-EU countries, with nearly 90% of imports at 0% duty.
Important notes for movers: Georgia is an unusually easy destination for international household goods shipments compared to most countries in the region. The combination of near-zero tariffs on most goods, a clear duty-free pathway for permanent residents, and simplified customs procedures means fewer surprises for movers and their clients. The main thing to get right is the permanent residence documentation from the Ministry of Justice. The vehicle import duty calculation (per cc of engine displacement plus age penalty) is unusual and should be calculated carefully for each specific vehicle. The pet requirements are more involved than they might appear at first glance because of the extensive non-rabies vaccination requirements for both dogs and cats.
Useful resources
Quick Links & Resources
now confirmed Active (200) -- resolved from May 2026 outage (HTTP 000