26.03.2020

MEASURES TAKEN BY THE MONGOLIAN GOVERNMENT TO TACKLE THE SPREAD OF
COVID-19 AND RESTRICT THE MOVEMENTS OF TRAVELLERS, CARGO AND MEANS OF
TRANSPORT

1. The Period of Cross-Country Enhanced Preparedness Actions against the Covid-19 pandemic was extended until 30 April 2020. In connection with announcement of the CrossCountry Enhanced Critical Preparedness Actions, educational institutions at all levels were temporarily closed and scheduled international flights and international railway passenger
movements were suspended.

2. The Mongolian Customs had established the Interim Operative Working Group and
appoints immediate duty officers on a day-to-day basis to provide the State Emergency
Commission with real-time data. The regional Customs administrations and Customs branch
offices have been fully supplied with cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting or sterilization materials.

3. Within the framework of best protection against the outbreak of coronavirus and
prevention measures, cross-border movements are partially restricted and only importation and
exportation of goods and means of transport are allowed.

4. Customs exanimations are carried out only after the goods and means of transport are
properly decontaminated. The goods and means of transport are delivered to the border and
inland Customs under police escort. Mongolian drivers are isolated for 14 days. The foreign
drivers are also isolated until the cargo is unloaded and they return immediately under strict
surveillance.

5. The Customs inspections are carried out in separate areas classified as red, orange and
green. The Customs inspectors use full and half sets of personal protective cloths and
equipment.

6. Limited number of special chartered flights are being arranged to locations outside
Mongolia to bring Mongolian nationals back at their requests. The Mongolian nationals returning
back and foreign nationals coming to Mongolia to reside in it permanently through the named
ports are isolated for 14 days. Their accompanied and unaccompanied luggage is
decontaminated and also kept under control for 14 days. Thereafter, the Customs carries out
the necessary Customs inspections.

7. The Mongolian Customs translates into Mongolian the WCO updates and communique
regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak as immediately as possible and disseminates
them through its website.

Cross-border movements are partially restricted and only importation and exportation of goods and means of transport are allowed.
Customs examinations are carried out only after the goods and means of transport are properly decontaminated. The goods and means of transport are delivered to the border and inland Customs under police escort. Mongolian drivers are isolated for 14 days. The foreign drivers are also isolated until the cargo is unloaded and they return immediately under strict surveillance.
The Customs inspections are carried out in separate areas classified as red, orange and green. The Customs inspectors use full and half sets of personal protective cloths and equipment. Source: Customs General Administration of Mongolia (as posted on WCO website)

Coal export through Khangi border checkpoint resumed from 31 March.
Gashuunsukhait border checkpoint was re-opened on 23 March to restore the coal export. By resuming operation of Khangi border checkpoint, now coal export is being made through four border crossings – Zamyn-Uud,  Khangi, Gashuunsukhait and Shiveekhuren. Source: MONTSAME (State-owned news agency) https://montsame.mn/en/read/220647; https://montsame.mn/en/read/220485 

18.01.2022

COVID-19 Update: two border-crossing points resuming operations

China - Russia - Mongolia

Two Chinese border-crossing points have resumed their activities in January 2022:

- Manzhouli BCP - between China and Russia is open since 14 January. Around 50 trucks are entering and leaving China per day at this stage,

- Erenhot BCP - between China and Mongolia is partially open since 11 January. Only export cargos from China to Mongolia are currently accepted. Around 30 trucks are leaving China per day at this stage.

Sources: Manzhouli government, Manzhouli Customs, Erenhot government, Erenhot Customs

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19.10.2021

COVID-19 - updated situation in Mongolia

Based on the order No 61 of the Head of the Emergency State Commission in Mongolia, starting from 15 October 2021, the Altanbulag border-crossing point is open for goods transport. Restrictions on the import and export of goods have been lifted, and no quarantine is required for goods transport. A negative COVID-19 PCR test issued within 72 hours is compulsory and should be presented upon arrival at the border.

Note that passenger transport is still restricted until 31 December 2021.

Source: NARTAM

18.05.2021

COVID-19 update: Restrictions in Mongolia extended till 2 June 2021

Following the Governmental Decree of 5 May 2021 No. 121, COVID-19 related restrictions for cross-border movement of citizens on Russian-Mongolian border have been extended until 2 June 2021. 

Starting from 10 May 2021, border crossing points Tashanta (RUS) – Tsagaannuur (MNG) and Khandagaity (RUS) – Borshoo (MNG) will operate every second and fourth week of each month to move all types of goods across the border. 

Source: NARTAM

18.02.2021

Altanbulag border crossing point will start operating permanently

By the decision of the Government of Mongolia, Altanbulag border-crossing point will start operating permanently from 23 February, 2021 without any restriction on goods, except carriers are obliged to transfer semi-trailers to domestic transport operators at the customs control zone as usual.

From the same day, only fodder is permitted to be imported through Tsagaannuur( road border-crossing point) and Ereentsav (railway border-crossing point).

Source: NARTAM 

20.01.2021

Covid-19 Update: Updated information on Mongolia

By the Government Decree 8 from 13 January, 2021, freight traffic through Altanbulag border -crossing point is temporarily suspended until 01 February 2021.

In order to prevent infection and reduce risk, from 01 February 2021, only food, medicine and medical supplies will be allowed through the Altanbulag BCP once a week. Foreign trucks loaded with above-mentioned goods are required to exchange semi-trailers at the customs control zone to the Mongolian tractor. 
Exact working days regarding Altanbulag BCP,  will be available in the forthcoming days. We will provide an update on that in the coming days. 

Source: NARTAM 

12.01.2021

Coronavirus (COVID 19) outbreak: Updated information on Mongolia

By the Decree 172 from the Government of Mongolia, freight traffic through Altanbulag BCP /all other road border crossing points with Russian Federation/ was temporarily suspended until 18 January, 2021.

Due to the current pandemic situation, it is unclear whether freight traffic through Altanbulag BCP will start operating from 18 January, 2021.

Therefore, transport operators are NOT advised to start transportation to Mongolia until further notice from the Government of Mongolia.

Source: NARTAM

23.11.2020

Based on the Government decree 181 from 15 November, 2020, the Government of Mongolia prolonged level of disaster preparedness until 1 December 2020. In connection with the decision, local road, air and rail passenger transportation is temporarily suspended. Also, all level educational institutions are closed until 01 December, 2021. 

Only state organizations are permitted to operate during this period.

Source: NARTAM 

11.11.2020

According to the decision of the Government of Mongolia, all road border crossing points with Russian Federation will be closed until 18 January 2021 with effect from 16 November 2020.

Tsagaanuur (Tashanta) border-crossing point is closed from 2^nd till 23^thNovember. It will resume its work starting from 24^th November and will be open on 2^nd and 4^th weeks of each month for import of oil products only.
Source: NARTAM

10.11.2020

The State Emergency Commission of Mongolia decided to lockdown Altanbulag BCP for two month with effect from 16 November.
Source: NARTAM 

06.11.2020

Following its 30th meeting held on 26 October 2020, the State Emergency Commission of Mongolia has extended a partial state of emergency until 31 December 2020.

• Are there any Restrictions in place?

With effect from 01 December, 2020, freight vehicles approaching to Altanbulag BCP should unload goods at the BCP for transhipment, or cargos will be allowed for further transportation only if a driver or a tractor is replaced /by Mongolian driver or tractor/ at the territory of Altanbulag BCP.

• Traffic bans ?

Tsagaanuur, Borshoo /MNG/ border crossing points are temporarily closed for goods and passenger transportation. Closure applies for 21 days starting from 02 November, 2020.

• Quarantine required?

In case the driver or tractor is replaced, the original driver will stay in a designated accommodation in the territory of the Altanbulag BCP for a temporary period until the vehicle returns back to the BCP.

• Negative Covid-19 test to be presented ?

In order to control and prevent from overseas epidemic importation, drivers of vehicles performing international road transport opérations are allowed to cross the Altanbulag, Tsagaannuur and Borshoo BCP’s based on the PCR analyses performed no later than 72 hours before arrival in Mongolia. 

Source: NARTAM

06.10.2020

Following its 29th meeting on 14 September 2020, the State Emergency Commission of Mongolia extended the partial state of emergency until 31 October 2020.

Freight transport is exempt from restrictions, but all drivers of commercial vehicles are subject to mandatory health checks upon arrival at the border.

Previous measures taken in relation to freight transport remain in place.

On 25 September 2020, the Ministry of Road and Transport Development of Mongolia reported that foreign vehicles without the relevant permits will not be permitted to cross the border into Mongolia. 

Source: NARTAM

10.07.2020

On 10 July, the Government of Mongolia extended the partial state of emergency until 31 July. All measures currently in force have been extended accordingly.

Source: IRU Moscow office

17.06.2020

On 16 June, the Government of Mongolia extended the partial state of emergency until 30 June 2020; international road, air and rail passenger transport operations remain suspended until that date. Borders remain open for international goods transport operations. Domestic transport operations can operate as normal.

Source: NARTAM

19.05.2020

On 19 May, the Ministry of Road and Transport Development of Mongolia confirmed that with effect from 25 May, the following vehicles will NOT be permitted to pass through the border crossing points of Mongolia:

• Foreign vehicles destined for China via Mongolia, without valid Chinese permits;
• Foreign vehicles not carrying one of the permits listed in the Intergovernmental Agreement on International Road Transport

Source: NARTAM

04.05.2020

Following its 20^th meeting held on 28 April 2020, the State Emergency Commission of Mongolia has extended a partial state of emergency until 31 May 2020.

In relation to this decision, international air, road and rail passenger transport is temporarily suspended until 31 May 2020. Freight transport is exempt from restrictions but all drivers of goods vehicles are subject to mandatory health checks upon arrival at the border. Previous measures taken in relation to freight transport coordination remain valid.

Source: NARTAM

31.03.2020

Despite the fact that there are no restrictions imposed by the State Emergency Commission of Mongolia for trucks and goods crossing the Mongolian border, from 30.03.2020 foreign goods vehicles are only allowed to enter Mongolia through the border crossing points Altanbulag and Ulaanbaishint. As an additional measure, foreign goods vehicles are escorted to the point of destination or exit of the country.

Therefore, foreign carriers are strongly advised not to enter Mongolia through other border crossing points, except for Altanbulag and Ulaanbaishint, pending clear instructions from competent authorities.

Source: IRU Moscow office

24 March 2020

On 20 March 2020, the State Emergency Commission of Mongolia held its 13th meeting and has now imposed the following additional measures:

• The suspension period for international passenger transport (road, air traffic and rail) has been prolonged until 30 April 2020.

Please note:

• National bus, air and rail transport are still operating normally;
• All borders remain open for the flow of goods and truck drivers.

All foreign trucks with goods arriving at the border crossing point of Altanbulag are subject to disinfection, which will be organised on the spot by the authorities. If the final destination is Mongolia, trucks will then be escorted by the police to the customs control zone in Ulaanbaatar, in order to perform the customs clearance formalities and to enable the delivery of goods to the consignee. Upon completion of these procedures, foreign trucks are requested to return immediately to the border crossing point of Altanbulag, and then exit the country. If trucks are in transit, vehicles will be escorted by the police to the Zamiin-Uud border crossing point. Stops at urban areas along the road is not permitted.

Source: NARTAM

20.03.2020

In relation to the prevention of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Government of Mongolia is taking the following measures:

- The entry of foreign, third country citizens and stateless persons is prohibited, from 11 - 31 March, 2020;

- All international passenger air traffic and train movements are cancelled, from 10 - 28 March, 2020;

- National bus, air and rail transport are all operating normally;

- All borders remain open for the flow of goods and truck drivers.

Following its 12th meeting on 17 March 2020, the State Emergency Commission of Mongolia has introduced additional measures, which state that all foreign trucks with goods arriving at the border crossing point of Altanbulag are subject to disinfection, which will be organised on the spot by the authorities. Trucks will then be escorted by the police to the customs control zone in Ulaanbaatar, in order to perform the customs clearance formalities and to enable the delivery of goods to the consignee. Upon completion of these procedures, foreign trucks are requested to return immediately to the border crossing point of Altanbulag, and then exit the country. Please note that the new requirements are applicable to all foreign goods transport operators and trucks.

Source: NARTAM

19.03.2020

In relation to the prevention of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, the Government of Mongolia is taking the following measures:

• The entry of foreign, third country citizens and stateless persons is prohibited, from 11 - 31 March, 2020;
• Air traffic and international train movements are cancelled from Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkey, from 10 - 28 March, 2020;
• All borders remain open for the flow of goods and truck drivers;
• National bus, air and rail transport is all operating normally.

Source: NARTAM