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Obtain an Export/Import License in Georgia

Mariam

RegHub Georgia Specialist

Obtaining an export/import license in Georgia is a practical step for many foreign investors who look at the country as a key route between the European Union and Asia. Import and export are simply the movement of goods across the state border — bringing products into the country or sending them abroad. These operations fall under customs regulations, tax rules, and, in certain cases, specific licensing requirements.

An export/import license in Georgia is an official authorization that allows a company or an individual entrepreneur to trade particular categories of goods that are subject to control. Georgia generally supports open trade. Most products move in and out of the country without special permits, which makes cross-border business relatively straightforward. However, the law draws a clear line for sensitive goods. Certain items require mandatory licensing due to concerns related to public safety, health protection, environmental standards, or international commitments.

Licensing of Import and Export in Georgia: Legislative Aspects

The core legal framework is the Law of Georgia on Licenses and Permits. This act defines which activities require authorization, how applications are submitted, what documents must be provided, and under what conditions a refusal may occur. It also gives applicants the right to challenge administrative decisions.

The law follows a restrained approach: licenses are required only where the potential risk justifies state oversight. In trade, this typically applies to goods that may affect health, security, or the environment.

Additional regulations cover specific areas. Dual-use goods are subject to separate control mechanisms. Certain products fall under international agreements, including CITES, which governs trade in endangered species. The Customs Code of Georgia regulates the movement of goods across the border and establishes procedural standards.

In general, export and import regulation in Georgia relies on transparency and digital administration. Many formalities are completed electronically, which reduces paperwork and shortens processing time for businesses engaged in foreign trade.

General Principles of Licensing in Foreign Trade

In Georgia, you do not need an export/import license for every single product. The law keeps licensing within clear limits. The state steps in only where there are real risks involved or where international commitments require supervision. The key idea is simple: non-tariff restrictions — licenses, quotas, and similar tools — are the exception, not the rule. Most foreign trade runs through standard customs declaration and simplified procedures.

Categories of Goods and Activities Requiring a License

For many goods, obtaining an export permit in Georgia is simply not required. Textiles, furniture, most industrial and household equipment — these move across the border without involving specialized ministries or additional state approvals. That makes market entry much faster and more predictable.

Problems usually arise when businesses confuse a license with a certificate of conformity. These are not the same thing. If technical regulations, sanitary standards, labeling rules, or packaging requirements are ignored, cargo may be delayed at the customs terminal. In such cases, exporters sometimes assume their shipment was “not authorized,” while the real issue lies in safety or quality standards. That is why professional guidance matters when obtaining an export/import license in Georgia and preparing documentation correctly from the start.

Certain goods remain under strict state supervision. These include:

• Dual-use goods — items that may serve civilian or military purposes. Permits are issued by the Revenue Service.

• Electronic surveillance equipment — licensed through the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

• Restricted circulation products — hazardous chemicals, radioactive materials, specific pharmaceuticals.

• Phytosanitary and veterinary goods — require approval from the National Food Agency.

• Goods covered by international treaties — for example, animal and plant species protected under CITES.

To obtain an export/import license in Georgia for any of these categories, applicants must follow specific requirements set by the competent authority. Each group has its own procedure and documentation rules. Recent legal amendments have also introduced separate licensing for certain items such as pyrotechnic products, reflecting a stricter approach toward potentially dangerous goods.

Export/import regulation in Georgia is based on risk assessment. Authorities do not issue one universal trading license. Instead, they examine specific HS codes for each shipment. Different categories mean different permits. There is no single, all-purpose export or import license — everything depends on the exact product being moved across the border.

Where to Obtain an Export/Import License in Georgia

Foreign trade operations in Georgia are managed by the Revenue Service (RS.ge). This is where businesses submit applications when obtaining an export/import license in Georgia. At the same time, the Revenue Service does not act alone. In legal terms, it works as a digital coordinator, connecting applicants with the specialized ministries responsible for specific product categories.

Georgia applies the “single window” principle in foreign economic regulation. For entrepreneurs, this means fewer queues, fewer offices, fewer signatures. The applicant uploads a full set of documents through the eServices portal. After that, interagency approvals move internally between state bodies through secure digital channels. The process feels centralized, even though several institutions may be involved behind the scenes.

Below is how responsibilities are distributed:

When planning cross-border operations, entrepreneurs rely on the official list of goods subject to mandatory licensing.

It includes:

• Weapons and military equipment;

• Ozone-depleting substances and equipment containing them;

• Nuclear materials and sources of ionizing radiation.

The list also covers hazardous chemicals, pesticides, psychotropic substances and their precursors, as well as waste of all hazard classes under the Basel Convention. Each segment operates under its own regulatory framework. To legally move such goods, companies must apply for a license tied to a specific shipment or validity period. Ignoring these rules can lead to administrative penalties and, in serious cases, criminal liability.

Importing medical products into Georgia follows a separate path. A standard pharmaceutical import license is issued by the Medical Activities Regulation Agency only to companies certified under Good Distribution Practice (GDP). This requirement confirms that medicines are stored, transported, and distributed in line with international safety standards. Dietary supplements, vitamins, and mineral products face lighter regulation, yet depending on composition, they may still require phytosanitary or veterinary clearance.

Cultural property receives special attention. Artworks, historical objects, and items with scientific value must be declared and examined by experts appointed by the Ministry of Culture. Obtaining an export license in Georgia for cultural valuables confirms that the item is not classified as restricted national heritage. The examination includes authentication, historical evaluation, and condition assessment.

Applying for an export/import permit in Georgia is possible only with an active tax profile. Without registering a legal entity or individual entrepreneur in the Revenue Service database, submission is not available. The licensing system covers only those goods and services where Georgia must honor international agreements or ensure public safety. Outside these categories, trade remains open. Continuous monitoring of export and import flows is carried out through the ASYCUDA risk analysis system, which reviews each customs declaration for compliance with current legislation.

How to Obtain an Import-Export License in Georgia

Obtaining an import/export license in Georgia starts online. Everything goes through the eServices portal, and every operation is tied to the taxpayer’s unique identification number. The system works in sync with ASYCUDA, the automated customs declaration platform. Once a permit is approved, it is automatically reflected in the customs database. No paper shuffle, no manual transfer — the data moves digitally.

There are several common mistakes that slow everything down at the border.

The most typical ones include:

• choosing the wrong HS code for goods that fall under special control;

• failing to provide an official translation of technical documents into Georgian or English;

• applying for a license only after the cargo has already arrived at the terminal;

• inconsistencies between the commercial invoice and the issued permit.

Each of these missteps can trigger a customs hold. When that happens, additional checks follow, storage time increases, and logistics costs start climbing. For a business running on tight delivery schedules, that can hurt.

The process of obtaining an import/export license in Georgia begins with identifying the product and checking whether non-tariff regulations apply. The HS code must be verified against the customs tariff classifier to see if the goods fall under special control procedures. Skipping this step is risky.

The next stage is submitting the electronic application through a personal account on eServices. An authorized user completes the form and uploads scanned copies of contracts, commercial invoices, and other required documents. After review, the system assigns a unique identifier and a QR code to the online permit, allowing it to be tracked. Requests are automatically routed to the relevant state authorities — the applicant does not need to contact them separately.

Each licensing authority sets its own processing deadlines and service fees. Every license comes with a validity period and can later be renewed or reissued.

The duration depends on the type of document:

• Permits for exporting or importing dual-use goods are valid for 12 months from the date of issue;

• Hygiene certificates for food products are issued either for a specific shipment or for a predefined period;

• Veterinary certificates are valid from 10 to 30 calendar days, depending on the cargo category and type;

• A pharmaceutical import license in Georgia may remain valid for up to one year.

Missing the renewal deadline can lead to serious legal consequences — including a complete ban on trading the regulated goods. Timing matters just as much as compliance.

Documents Required for Obtaining an Import/Export License in Georgia

To obtain an export/import license in Georgia, a legal entity must prove two things: the transaction is lawful, and the goods meet established safety and quality standards.

The basic document package usually includes:

• a supply contract;

• a commercial invoice;

• transport documents.

That is the foundation. But when dealing with regulated goods, the list often grows. Authorities may request expert opinions, technical data sheets, or certificates of conformity confirming the nature and safety of the materials involved. Most documents are uploaded digitally through a personal account on the Revenue Service platform. This speeds up review and reduces the risk of technical errors during verification.

Every application for obtaining an export/import license in Georgia must contain a detailed product description, including:

• chemical composition;

• technical specifications;

• intended purpose;

• field of use.

If the goods qualify as dual-use items, an end-user certificate becomes mandatory. This document confirms that the product will be used strictly for the declared civilian purpose and will not violate international export control rules.

Supporting documentation varies by category. Hazardous waste requires approval from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and a valid disposal or recycling agreement. Medicines must be accompanied by GMP/GDP certificates and registration in the Ministry of Health registry. Cultural valuables require an expert art assessment and photo documentation. Psychotropic substances demand quota authorization and a separate storage and operational license.

In highly regulated sectors such as pharmaceuticals, the requirements go even further. A pharmaceutical import license in Georgia must be supported by warehouse inspection reports, proof of qualified staff, and evidence of proper storage and transportation standards. An international supply contract alone is not enough. Compliance on paper and in practice must match.

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Taxes on Export and Import Operations in Georgia

Georgia applies a relatively liberal tax regime. VAT is charged on most goods imported into the country. The standard rate is 18%. For exports, however, the law provides a zero-rate mechanism. Goods shipped outside Georgia are exempt from VAT, provided the export declaration is properly filed and the accompanying documents confirm the actual removal of the goods.

Imports are subject to customs duties and import VAT. Customs rates depend on the product category and country of origin. Under free trade agreements — including those with the European Union — certain goods may benefit from reduced or zero customs duties, lowering overall import costs. Import VAT is calculated on the total customs value: purchase price plus transportation and insurance expenses.

An additional excise duty applies to specific imported items. This is relevant for some types of products, such as alcohol, tobacco, petroleum, and electricity. Different laws govern the excise rate for different types of products.

Profit generated from export or import activity is taxed at the corporate level. Georgia applies a 15% corporate income tax. However, reinvested profits are not taxed until dividends are distributed. For companies actively obtaining an export/import license in Georgia and reinvesting earnings into business growth, this structure can be financially efficient.

Export/Import Licensing in Georgia: Key Takeaways

Georgia’s trade regime is open, but not without boundaries. Mandatory licenses apply only to defined categories of goods linked to public safety, health protection, or international obligations. The system relies heavily on digital processes and coordination between state authorities.

Correctly classifying HS codes, preparing documentation accurately, and complying with technical, sanitary, and veterinary standards are not minor details. They determine whether goods move smoothly or remain stuck at a customs terminal.

Professional support in managing foreign trade operations in Georgia helps businesses prepare documentation properly, choose the right type of license, coordinate with relevant ministries, and reduce risks during customs clearance. Experience in navigating the system often means fewer delays, lower operational exposure, and stable international supply chains.