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Obtain an Export/Import License in Georgia: Requirements and Registration Procedure

Irakli

RegHub Georgia Specialist

Georgia’s favorable geographic position has turned the country into an effective transport corridor. International trade in Georgia continues to grow actively thanks to free transit between European and Asian markets.

This overview explains in detail how product codes are checked and how businesses interact with state authorities. It provides a step-by-step review of cargo approval stages and helps determine whether a particular business actually needs to obtain permits.

Fundamentals of Foreign Trade Control: Scope of Restrictions and Requirements for Market Participants

Business-friendly rules attract international entrepreneurs because Georgia does not impose blanket state control on trade operations. A universal foreign trade license in Georgia has been abolished for most standard commercial cargoes. The permit mechanism is applied selectively. The state uses this tool only to protect national security, public health, and the environment.

Companies and entrepreneurs intending to transport certain categories of goods across the border must secure proper documentation. Acquiring an export/import license in Georgia is a vital step in preparing for these shipments. Importing or exporting regulated goods without the necessary authorization is considered a violation and can result in harsh penalties.

The country’s trade policy is based on the principle of free trade. Special import regulation in Georgia is activated only when the product code falls within strict control lists. The legislation clearly separates the types of documents.

Current export regulation in Georgia requires all procedures to be completed strictly before the vehicle arrives at the customs checkpoint. Prior approval is mandatory for medicines, chemicals, and dual-use products. Issuing documents directly at the border is prohibited by law.

The legislation provides equal access to foreign economic operations for different types of business entities. Both residents and foreign market participants may legally obtain an import license in Georgia or arrange export documents.

Applicants are subject to the following requirements depending on their legal form:

1. Legal entities. Local commercial organizations, including LLCs and JSCs, must have their status recorded in the Public Registry. They receive automatic access to the Revenue Service’s electronic systems for submitting requests.

2. Individual entrepreneurs. Individuals with official commercial status have the legal right to import goods into Georgia. Restrictions apply only to the circulation of specific military and medical cargoes.

3. Foreign organizations. Foreign companies cannot submit applications directly without registering a local presence. Operations are carried out by opening a permanent branch or appointing a tax agent. These steps require the company to be entered into Georgia’s national databases.

Registered separate subdivisions become full participants in the internal registries. They are not required to provide apostilled foreign documents when arranging shipments.

Legal Acts and Regulatory System: How Departmental Control Works and Where to Obtain an Export/Import License in Georgia

Georgia’s rules for cross-border trade are built around a clearly defined legal framework that follows international regulatory standards. The central act is the Georgian Law “On Licenses and Permits.” It sets out the full list of goods subject to control, and no authority may broaden that list unless the law itself is formally amended.

The practical movement of goods across the border is governed by the Customs Code of Georgia. It covers declaration rules, the calculation of customs duties, and the release of goods under different customs procedures. Since the code describes these mechanisms in a fixed legal format, companies can assess in advance what customs clearance for imports in Georgia will cost and what documents will be needed.

A separate layer of legislation applies to goods with a sensitive purpose or potential risk. The Law “On Control of Export and Import of Arms, Military Equipment and Dual-Use Goods” regulates products connected with the defence sector. When a company needs a permit for dual-use goods in Georgia, the assessment is based on international control lists. These lists may cover electronics, chemical substances, software, and other items that can be used outside their declared civilian purpose. Before signing a foreign trade contract, the declarant must check the technical characteristics of the goods throughout the entire supply chain.

The permit system is not managed by one universal office. Control is divided between competent authorities, each dealing with its own category of goods. This structure reduces overlap and makes the procedure more predictable for businesses.

The responsibilities of state authorities are divided as follows:

1. Revenue Service. This is the main operating authority for customs procedures. It handles customs clearance for exports in Georgia and processes all types of declarations through its digital infrastructure.

2. Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. This ministry supervises documentation for military-related products. Its specialists make the final decision on issuing an export permit for dual-use goods in Georgia.

3. Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture. This authority is responsible for mandatory phytosanitary control in Georgia for plant products and seeds. It also supervises live animal shipments and monitors quotas for goods covered by CITES rules.

4. In Georgia, import licenses for medicines, narcotic substances, and specialized pharmaceutical raw materials are overseen by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs.

These agencies collaborate within a digital ecosystem. Through the eServices portal's single-window feature, businesses remotely coordinate with state bodies rather than appearing in person. Once the declarant uploads all documents in their taxpayer account, the authorities share data internally, which expedites electronic declarations and shortens border-related procedures significantly.

High-Risk Product Groups and Rules for Handling Dual-Use Goods

State control over high-risk cargo means that these items cannot move freely across the border without prior verification. Georgian legislation divides controlled products into four main categories, and each category is checked under its own procedure.

A cross-border shipment of these items cannot be arranged without passing through the competent authorities. To legally obtain an export/import license in Georgia, usually as a one-time permit for a specific shipment, the declarant must confirm the technical characteristics of the goods. Documents for dual-use products are submitted together with an End-User Certificate. This certificate prevents equipment from being re-exported to countries subject to international trade sanctions. Careful import regulation in Georgia for medical products also protects the domestic market from uncertified medicines.

Sanitary Barriers, Veterinary Supervision, and Environmental Restrictions

It is the duty of specialized border authorities to shield the internal market from biological threats and to uphold the country's ecosystem. Imports and exports of living organisms, raw materials, and food products must comply with strict international sanitary regulations.

Legal export of goods from Georgia, as well as their import into the country, requires the following types of control:

Completion of specialized checks at the border depends entirely on how well the documents were prepared in the country of dispatch. Any mismatch in veterinary or phytosanitary certificates leads to the immediate isolation of the vehicle. The cargo is redirected to a quarantine zone until the biological characteristics of the products are fully clarified. All costs for storage, expert review, and laboratory testing are borne by the declarant. These procedures can be completed without delays only if the forms are agreed in advance with the Revenue Service and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Methodology for Identifying Permit Requirements for Commercial Cargo

The legal qualification of cargo starts with its digital identifier. Without this number, the shipment cannot be assessed accurately. International trade in Georgia is structured around the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System. A properly selected HS code of goods in Georgia determines the customs duty amount and the need for licensing.

The restriction check uses several electronic resources:

• code identification through the national commodity nomenclature on the Revenue Service portal;

• HS code verification in Georgia through the Customs Tariff Assistant;

• comparison of the code with registers of dual-use goods, medicines, and controlled chemicals.

Independent customs classification of goods in Georgia is not risk-free. A mistake in a single digit may cause customs to treat the product as licensed goods. Such inaccuracies may be qualified as providing unreliable information. This leads to the suspension of cargo clearance and the imposition of fines.

Structured List of Corporate, Commercial, and Technical Documents

A permit application is prepared only after the supporting file has been assembled. Documents for an import license in Georgia are submitted to the departmental portal electronically. Paper originals at the border are required only in exceptional circumstances.

The standard file for control includes:

• a Public Registry (NAPR) extract confirming the company’s lawful status and directors;

• confirmation that the taxpayer identification number has been assigned;

• a registered foreign trade contract with all valid specifications;

• a commercial invoice showing value, weight, and delivery terms;

• international transport documents, such as CMR, bill of lading, or air waybill;

• certificates of quality and conformity issued by the manufacturer;

• an End-User Certificate, if a permit for dual-use goods in Georgia is being requested.

Foreign certificates undergo legalization. They are translated into Georgian, and the translation is certified by a notary. Any discrepancy in directors’ names or product names causes automatic rejection. To obtain an export/import license in Georgia again, the applicant must repeat the digital filing process.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Administrative Cargo Documentation and Border Control

Georgia’s controlled cargo approval system functions in digital form. Personal communication with officials has been excluded, which supports quicker electronic declaration of goods in Georgia and narrows the space for corruption.

Customs Clearance Procedure and Importer’s Fiscal Obligations

Once an electronic permit has been issued, the final stage of the cross-border shipment can begin. Customs clearance for imports in Georgia requires the submission of a declaration and payment of the applicable taxes.

The tax system provides three basic rates of import customs duties:

1. 0% rate. Applies to the vast majority of industrial goods, raw materials, and equipment.

2. 5% rate. Applies to certain types of construction materials and textile products.

3. 12% rate. Applies to agricultural goods, food products, and similar items in order to protect local producers.

In addition to customs duties, imported goods are subject to value-added tax. The standard import VAT rate is 18%. The taxable base is calculated from the customs value of the cargo, including transportation costs up to the border. The declaration process is completed when the assessed amounts are debited from the importer’s single tax account.

International free trade agreements can significantly reduce the financial burden. When European goods are imported, customs duties may be reduced to zero on the basis of an EUR.1 certificate issued by the foreign supplier in the country of production. The Revenue Service of Georgia accepts this document to exempt the importer from import charges under the DCFTA agreement.

The opposite trade flow is administered differently. To arrange duty-free export of goods from Georgia to European Union countries, the local supplier must complete the verification procedure independently. In this case, obtaining an EUR.1 certificate of origin in Georgia is the responsibility of the Georgian exporter. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry or customs authorities check the localization of production and issue the document for European customs. This certificate fully exempts the EU buyer from paying local import duties.

Analysis of Commercial Risks: Grounds for Refusal of Approval and Legal Liability Measures

A refusal by the controlling authorities to issue export/import permit documents in Georgia is always based on strict legal grounds. The Revenue Service and the relevant ministries examine incoming files in detail, so any inaccuracy may lead to cancellation of the request. Understanding common mistakes helps businesses pass compliance on the first attempt.

The main risk factors include:

1. Incorrect customs classification of goods in Georgia. Errors in determining the HS code create a mismatch between the actual characteristics of the cargo and the declared regulatory regime.

2. Submission of an incomplete document package. If the technical description, invoice, or up-to-date NAPR extract is missing, the interdepartmental review cannot be launched.

3. Violation of export control rules. Any discrepancies in the End-User Certificate lead to immediate blocking of the procedure.

4. International sanctions restrictions. A thorough HS code check in Georgia includes screening counterparties against global sanctions lists. If prohibited links are found, refusal is guaranteed.

Legal Sanctions for Unauthorized Movement of Controlled Products

An attempt to arrange a cross-border shipment without obtaining the required permits in advance can create serious consequences for a business. Georgian law enforcement and customs authorities take a strict approach to violations of non-tariff regulation. Sanctions may be applied both to the company itself and to its management.

The first response is the immediate detention of the cargo at the border. The vehicle is blocked at the customs terminal until all circumstances of the case are clarified. Storage costs and transport downtime are fully charged to the declarant.

At the same time, an administrative enforcement procedure is initiated. Illegal foreign trade activity in Georgia without a license is punishable by substantial monetary fines. The amount of the penalty depends on the market value of the detained shipment. The law also allows full confiscation of commercial cargo moved in breach of the rules.

Final Notes on Export/Import Licensing in Georgia

Transparent trade routes make Georgia an attractive jurisdiction for global business. Mandatory procedures and obtaining an export/import license in Georgia are required only for a narrow list of controlled cargoes. A successful launch of shipments depends on proper preliminary document analysis and accurate code classification. A detailed legal review before the goods cross the border helps prevent vehicle downtime and protects the company from financial sanctions.