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15.06.2022 Border Crossing RegulationsEntry rules for Georgian citizens✅ Georgian citizens using any mode of travel (by ✈ air, 🚗 land, or ⛵ sea) can enter Georgia unconditionally, without the obligation to produce vaccination certificates or negative PCR test results. Entry rules for foreign citizens✅ Starting June 15, 2022, all foreign citizens using any mode of travel (by ✈ air, 🚗 land, or ⛵ sea) to enter Georgia are exempt from the obligation to produce vaccination certificates or negative PCR test results. Rules and conditions for entering Georgia and isolation/quarantine throughout the pandemic are regulated by the following legal act of the Georgian Government:
The information about is sourced from this legal act. Source: https://stopcov.ge/en/page/sazRvris-kveTis-regulaciebi ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 09.09.2020 During these challenging times caused by global pandemic, Georgia has been mobilized all available resources for cushion shock and follows its agenda dedicated towards creation of safe, stable, modern and prosperous nation. In given circumstances, when sustaining international trade is of vital importance efficient customs control plays a significant role in ensuring legitimate movement of goods via land borders and trade facilitation. Despite unexpected and serious challenges, with joint efforts international customs community has managed to keep working. Intensive negotiations and exchange of practices has shown comparative success in coping with emerged complications. Quick changes, countries introducing in ad hoc manner were not available for traders, nor for adjoining or regional customs administrations. New regulations, often not coordinated/negotiated with neighboring countries negatively influenced the cross-border trade. Georgia, as a transit country has double responsibility to ensure the well-organized and streamlined movement of both import/export and transit goods, while ensuring safety of the society. Surrounded by Covid-19 highly effected countries, Georgia 0was putting efforts to increase movement capacities. In this endeavor, the government introduced immediate measures resulting the significant increase in border crossings of trucks (34.8% increase for the period January-July 2020 vs 2019). Among the main measures introduced by the government of Georgia:
Institutional arrangement The Interagency Coordination Council continues to hold regular meetings under the leadership of the prime minister in order to take coordinated steps taking into account the current situation in the country and global trends. The Interagency Coordination working group at the level of Deputy Minister, DG-s, heads of departments, which gives opportunity to coordinate promptly, and in a harmonized way implementation measures of all adopted regulations due to Covid19 pandemic. State of Emergency Georgia declared the state of emergency starting March 21 till April 21 in connection with the pandemic situation over the novel coronavirus in the country. The Government of Georgia has set up a website to inform the public about the coronavirus. The website contains information on all measures taken by the Government of Georgia, as well the information disseminated by the World Health Organization. In addition, at StopCov.ge statistical information on number of cases in Georgia and all over the world as well the recommendations on prevention of the spread of the virus is available. Georgia Revenue Service Business Continuity For ensuring business continuity and provide the information to economic operators Revenue Service has used all possible communication channels as 24/7 operated hotline, sms, email, website, Facebook, TV programs. Information leaflets published in Georgian, English, Turkish, Azeri, Russian and Armenian languages and provided to all truck drivers. Enhanced Distance Services Additional call-center staff, additional staff to answer e-mails, new online application forms introduced. Employment Safety Remote work for central staff employees; PPEs for employees at border checkpoints and Customs Clearance Zones; Disinfection of buildings and PPEs for GRS employees; Face to face meetings minimized, frontline staff reduced; The number of online trainings for employees has increased; Import/export/transit procedures at the borders Road, railway, air and marine cargo international movement related customs formalities are conducting without any restriction while applying hygiene checks on drivers/ personnel conducting the freight transportation on the borders. Due to Integrated Border management Concept Georgian customs administration is in charge of sanitary, phyto-sanitary and veterinary control at the border. There are 20 ports of entries, 5 zones of customs clearances, 4 customs clearance area and 6 border inspection divisions. Due to pandemic Customs Department additionally hired 72 epidemiologists and medical technical staff to conduct a thermal screening. The Customs Department is currently implementing the following measures in the prevention of Coronavirus: - Screening and management of travelers at Border Crossing Points; - Screening and management of drivers, disinfection and management of means of transport (import/export/transit); - Proper disinfection procedures at customs department, Customs Crossing Points- CCP (20 CCPs), Customs Clearance Zones –CCZ (5 CCZs), Clearance offices (4 service offices) and Border Inspection Posts –BIP (6 BIPs) To ensure safe and secured movement of trucks via Georgia the government has introduced the specially designated STOP POINT areas, with multiple services as; refueling, payment of the road fee, compulsory civil liability insurance policy of the owner of a motor vehicle registered abroad, food courts and other personal necessities. Stopping is available M2, M3, N2 and N3 category vehicles (separate, semi-trailer or trailer) parking facilities.
Customs and Tax Policy measures (a) Elaboration and approval of guidelines/ special operational procedures in accordance with international standards and periodic trainings of relevant staff; Due to Covid-19 pandemic Georgia introduced facilitative measures with regard to the requirements to submit original documents or to stamp certain documents;
The requirement to comply with the obligations set out in the above technical regulations will significantly impede the international shipment of cargo and create additional barriers for importers. In view of the above-mentioned and considering epidemiological situation of the new Coronavirus, in agreement with the National Food Agency of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia, border control procedures simplified.
Follow-up steps (a) Revenue Service is actively working on elaboration and approval of guidelines/ special operational procedures in accordance with international standards and periodic trainings of relevant staff;
(b) According to the WHO recommendations, arrangement of isolation spaces at the entry points used for physical persons suspected of the disease before transportation them to the designated area. However, the temporary spaces were arranged at majority of CCPs promptly, it is recommended to have the properly organized permanent facilities. Revenue Service is working on this plan with the support of international institutions.
Information for foreign citizen drivers of cargo vehicle Foreign citizen truck drivers (other than transit) entering the territory of Georgia are subject to the following procedures:
o The driver from Sarpi chekpoint, together with the vehicle, will be transported to the customs clearance zone "Batumi" in 12 kilometers form the border, where the driver will be tested (quick antibody test) on the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). o The driver entering from other customs checkpoints is subjected to quick (antibody) testing on the new Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) at a special medical point located in the vicinity of customs crossing point.
Drivers from a foreign country are required to provide testing for a new coronavirus (with fast simple or PCR technology) within 72 hours of the last test (unless they leave the territory of Georgia within this period):
Note:
Attention!
A truck entering from a foreign country (along with its crew) must leave the territory of Georgia:
Note: The time limits required for customs formalities and the time of stopping at the parking lots located at the customs checkpoint of the Georgian Land State Border Section will not be considered. The following specific areas are designated for truck drivers stopping (STOP POINT): The following specific areas are designated for truck drivers stopping (STOP POINT):
Attention! The driver of the truck is fined GEL 2,000 for violating the above-mentioned rules.
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22.06.2020 CUSTOMS MEASURES TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Source: http://www.wcoomd.org.... |
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27.04.2020 Information for foreign citizen drivers of cargo vehicle In case of a foreign citizen driver, the movement of the cargo vehicle (truck) on the territory of Georgia shall be carried out in compliance with the following conditions:
The truck must leave the territory of Georgia:
The following places are designated for specific areas (STOP POINT):
Note: The time periods required for carrying out the customs formalities and stopping at the parking facilities (separately, semitrailers or trailers) located in the vicinity of Georgian State Customs Border, Customs Checkpoint shall not be counted. For violating the above-mentioned rules (except for non-compliance with the recommendations, or when the weather conditions or other external factors complicate and/or make it impossible to fulfill the established conditions), the driver of the vehicle will be fined 3,000 GEL. However, if the violation concerns the timing of the movement, the vehicle must leave the territory of Georgia immediately, otherwise the driver will be placed in a 14-day quarantine and the vehicle will be taken to the impound yard.
Для водителей (грузовых автомобилей) иностранных граждан В случае водителя иностранного гражданина движение грузового автомобиля на территории Грузии должно осуществляться с соблюдением следующих условий:
Грузовой автомобиль должен покинуть территорию Грузии:
Примечание: Следующие места предназначены для специально устроенных зон (STOP POINT):
Примечание:
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07.04.2020 In accordance with measures for the prevention of spread COVID-19, Institutional arrangement The Interagency Coordination Council continues to hold regular meetings under the leadership of the prime minister in order to take coordinated steps taking into account the current situation in the country and global trends. The Interagency Coordination working group at the level of Deputy Minister, DG-s, heads of departments, which gives opportunity to coordinate promptly, and in a harmonized way implementation measures of all adopted regulations due to Covid19 pandemic. Import/export/transit procedures Road, railway, air and marine cargo international movement related customs formalities are conducting without any restriction while applying hygiene checks on drivers/ personnel conducting the freight transportation on the borders. Border Crossing via land border crossing point: For individuals and passengers only following land border crossing points is opened (this does not apply to cargo movement!): TURKEY - Sarpi, (open hours 10:00-18:00) AZERBAIJAN - Tsiteli Khidi (open hours 10:00-18:00) RUSSIA - Kazbegi (open hours 10:00-18:00) ARMENIA - Sadakhlo (open hours 10:00-18:00) Cargo movement is available via all (included but not limited via above-mentioned) land/air/marine border crossing points for 24/7. Hygiene checks of drivers conducting at the borders - In accordance with the International Health Regulations the driver will be screened at the border and if the symptoms of influenza/fever will be confirmed at the entry customs crossing point the entrance will be denied. Georgian citizen, have permission for entering into Georgia and the driver will be the subject of quarantine. - In this case the cargo might be entered the territory of Georgia if: 1) the driver will be changed by the other driver from the non-risky country. The initial driver should be returned; and - the transport mean should be fumigated/sanitized; or - If it is possible but not mandatory to change the truck by the other truck from the non-risky country. Of course the trailer should be fumigated/sanitized and initial truck should be returned 2) Transport means might be moved to the nearest customs control zone and cargo trans loaded to another means of transport. /sanitized - it is highly recommended that the driver/personnel should wear the protective mask during interaction with customs officers. Movement of freight vehicles moving from the foreign countries to the territory of Georgia shell be performed with following conditions: Freight vehicles registered in a foreign country shall move through the territory of Georgia with following conditions:
The truck should leave the territory of Georgia:
It is strongly recommended to make only non-cash payment (online purchase, plastic card, etc.) and to use the personal protective equipment (medical mask, gloves, and etc). Note: STOP POINT located at:
Violation of rules (vehicle without permission to leave, stopping in forbidden areas, violation of terms of movement, etc.), except when weather conditions or other external factors makes it difficult and / or impossible to follow rules, the vehicle driver will be fined with 3000 GEL for the violation of the State emergency regime in accordance with Presidential Decree №1 March 21, 2020, Article 8, and will be placed in 14-day quarantine, transport mean will be taken to the impound lot. The above-mentioned information leaflets in five languages (Georgian, Armenian, Azeri, English, Russian and Turkish) will be given to drivers of trucks upon entry into the country; Legislation; On January 28 the Government of Georgia adopted Decree No 164 of 28 January 2020 of the Government of Georgia on the Approval of Measures to Prevent the Possible Spread of the Novel Coronavirus in Georgia and the Emergency Response Plan for Cases of Novel Coronavirus Disease. There have been adopted 13 amendments into this decree as the response of Covid19 outbreak in the region. https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/4821121?publication=13
The Government of Georgia has set up a website to inform the public about the coronavirus. The website contains information on all measures taken by the Government of Georgia, as well the information disseminated by the World Health Organization. In addition, at StopCov.ge statistical information on number of cases in Georgia and all over the world as well the recommendations on prevention of the spread of the virus is available.
Georgia declared the state of emergency starting March 21 till April 21 in connection with the pandemic situation over the novel coronavirus in the country. https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/4830372?publication=0 The government has issued the Ordinance No 181, 23 March 2020 “On the Approval of Measures to be Implemented in connection with the Prevention of the Spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Georgia”. International air, land and sea transport services for transportation of passengers shall be suspended for the duration of the state of emergency. https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/4830610?publication=2 Period of validity of those regulations. The period of validity is until the April 21. |
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30.11.2020 According to article 6.1 of the resolution №699 of the Government of Georgia of November 26, 2020 It is banned throughout the country from 21:00 to 05:00 movement of persons both on foot and by transport, as well as being in a public space. The restriction is valid until 21:00 on December 31, 2020. (Effective November 28, 2020) The Restriction provided for in Paragraph 6.1 of this Article does not apply to International freight transportation and inland transportation. Dotted constraints – Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Zugdidi. The First stage of restrictions from November 28 to December 23 inclusive:
Municipal transport does not work Private sector offices operate remotely, if necessary by 15:00 Mitigation from December 24 to January 2 inclusive
Holidays December 28 – January 15 partial restrictions January 16 – January 31
Source: GIRCA
07.09.2020 Under new COVID-19 containment measures in Georgia: All foreign trucks must leave Georgian territory within:
All truck drivers staying the country for more than 72 hours are required to take another COVID-19 PCR test. Trucks can only stop at the specific parking areas designated by the Georgian authorities, and must leave the parking areas when told to do so by the authorities. All relevant information will be shared by Georgian authorities with truck drivers when they enter the country. Drivers violating these rules will incur a fine of up to 2,000 GEL. The Georgian authorities will perform health checks and drivers with COVID-19 symptoms will not be allowed to enter Georgia for 12 days. Source: Turkish Consulate General in Batumi
16.06.2020 As of 16 June, a special regime applies to drivers (both Georgian and third country nationals) carrying out international transport operations. The following regime does not apply to drivers transiting through Georgia. Before entering the country, drivers will have their temperature tested; in case of fever, entry into Georgia will be denied. Foreign drivers are not allowed to stay in Georgia for more than 7 days in the case of a reverse shipping operation or in the case they need to board a ferry; in any other case, they must leave the country 96 hours after entering Georgia, at the latest. In case a foreign driver is still in Georgia 72 hours after having entered the country, he must test again at a local health authority. Breaches of the regime will result in a fine in accordance with Georgian legislation. A hotline number is active for further information: (+995) 032 2 36 55 01. Source: GIRCA
27.04.2020 Foreign truck drivers transporting cargo on the territory of Georgia are subject to the following conditions: o After completing the procedures at the customs checkpoint, the driver shall proceed immediately (non-stop) to the point of destination. Stops are allowed only at specially designated areas called STOP POINTS. At certain STOP POINTS drivers can purchase the compulsory civil liability insurance (https://www.tpl.ge/en/salespoints). Other STOP POINTS can be found in the parking areas located near customs checkpoints (see below for details); o At a STOP POINT, the driver has the right to park his vehicle, refuel, purchase a road usage card, use the sanitary facilities, and purchase items/food for personal use; o In case of problems (vehicle malfunction, illness, etc.), the driver should contact the relevant services and stay in the truck cabin until help arrives. In these situations, drivers should call 112 - the Emergency and Operative Response Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia; o The truck must leave the territory of Georgia: - In case of transit (except for moving from or to the customs checkpoint Kazbegi and exit by ferry) - within 24 hours of entering the country; - In case of driving (except exit by ferry) from or to the customs checkpoint Kazbegi - within 48 hours of entering the country. - In case of exit by ferry when transiting the country – within 7 (seven) calendar days of entering the country; - In other cases, within 48 hours of entering the country. However, in cases where a cargo vehicle, after importing and unloading goods in Georgia is loaded with goods intended for export from Georgia, or if the entry and/or exit of trucks from Georgia is carried out using ferry transport – within 7 (seven) calendar days of entering the country. o It is strongly recommended to only make non-cash payments (online payments, credit/debit cards, etc.) and to use personal protective equipment (medical masks, gloves, etc.). o The following places are designated STOP POINTS for specific areas: - Urbnisi - Kareli Region, village Urbnisi, cadastral code: 68.16.45.054; - Terjola - Terjola Region, village Siktarva, cadastral code: 33.08.38.224; - Gori - Gori Region, village Tiniskhidi, cadastral code: 66.44.02.033; - Zestaponi - Zestaponi Regiona, village Argveta, cadastral code: 32.03.34.211. Note: o The time periods required for carrying out the customs formalities and stopping at the parking areas (separately, semitrailers or trailers) located in the vicinity of the Georgian State Customs Border, Customs Checkpoint shall not be counted. o For violating the above-mentioned rules (except for non-compliance with the recommendations, or when weather conditions or other external factors complicate and/or make it impossible to fulfill the established conditions), the driver of the vehicle will be fined 3,000 GEL. However, if the violation concerns the time limit of the transport operation, the vehicle must leave the territory of Georgia immediately, otherwise the driver will be placed on a 14-day quarantine and the vehicle will be impounded. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
05.04.2020 Freight vehicles registered in a foreign country shall move through the territory of Georgia at the following conditions: - After completing the procedures at the customs checkpoint, means of transport shall move non-stop to a final destination. Stopping allowed only on specially designated areas - STOP POINTs, places for purchasing compulsory civil liability insurance policy (https://www.tpl.ge/en/salespoints), and parking lots located in the vicinity of customs checkpoint; - Specially designated STOP POINT areas will serve for trucks for refueling, paying the road fee, compulsory civil liability insurance policy of the owner of a motor vehicle registered in foreign countries. Availability to purchase personal necessities, food, WC and etc. - In case of emergencies or special needs (car accident, health problems, etc.), the driver should contact the relevant services and should remain in the cabin before the representatives of those services will get to the driver. For these purposes the driver shall call the Emergency and Operative Response Center at 112; - The truck should leave the territory of Georgia: a) In case of transit movement (except for the movements from/to customs check point "Kazbegi" ) transport means shall leave the territory of Georgia within 24 hours since entering the country; b) In other case (including the import movement and transit case of entering/leaving via customs checkpoint "Kazbegi" within 48 hours. The time periods required for carrying out the customs formalities and stopping at parking lots located in the vicinity of Georgian State Customs Border Crossing Point shall not be counted. - It is strongly recommended to make only non-cash payment (online purchase, plastic card, etc.) and to use the personal protective equipment (medical mask, gloves, and etc). Note: Violation of rules (vehicle without permission to leave, stopping in forbidden areas, violation of terms of movement, etc.), except when weather conditions or other external factors makes it difficult and / or impossible to follow rules, the vehicle driver will be fined with 3000 GEL for the violation of the State emergency regime in accordance with Presidential Decree №1 March 21, 2020, Article 8, and will be placed in 14-day quarantine, means of transport will be taken to the impound lot. STOP POINT areas are located at: - Urbnisi– Kareli districts, cadastral code: 68.16.45.054; - Terjola– Trejola district, village Siktarva, cadastral code: 33.08.38.224; - Gori – Gori district, village Tiniskhidi, cadastral code: 66.44.02.033; - Zestaponi– Zestapoini district, village Argveta, cadastral code: 32.03.34.211. Source: GIRCA and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
As part of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) preventive measures, the Government of Georgia has made a decision to impose restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals. The restrictions are effective from 18 March 2020, 00:00, and will remain in force for two weeks. The restrictions will apply to all foreign nationals, with the exception of:
The Head of the Government of Georgia has noted that there are 4 areas of critical significance which must be managed effectively in order to combat the challenges faced. One of these areas is logistics and stock management. In this regard, and in order to ensure the smooth running of freight road transport, trucks entering the country from areas designated by the WHO as a high-risk zone will have to comply with the following rules:
Sources: GIRCA and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia |
