Importing Personal Effects into Georgia: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2025 · Download the Georgia Import Guide (PDF)

Used household Goods & Personal Effects (status non-Diplomatic) foreigner

• AWB/BL/CMR copy (whichever is issued).
• Consignee’s passport copy.
• General packing list.
• Detailed list.
• Proforma invoice.
• Notarized Power of Attorney (text that should be added will be provided by local agent)
• If consignee is a foreign citizen, VAT registration number from Revenue Service and if not available then the consignee’s addresses in Georgia as well as per international Passport country of origin is required.

• 18% VAT applies from CIF value.
• Import fee applies as follow, if total cargo value:
• up to 3000 GEL @ 100 GEL
• from 3000 GEL up to 15 000 GEL @ 400 GEL
• more than 15000 GEL @ 500 GEL.

• Once all docs passed to GEO customs cargo will enter the line: there is a system at customs which applies only non-diplomatic cargos, during import Customs clearance once all docs are submitted to Customs.
• If the system shows light either Yellow or Red:
• Yellow means everything is in order and clearance will be completed shortly;
• Red means Customs officer will check all docs properly again, open some boxes & expertise the contents according to provided docs and in case of any discrepancy Consignee will be charged with Penalty which starts from US$ 700.00 up to US$ 1000-1500... depending on non-declared items.
• All cargos have chance that they might get into red light which means expertise and new evaluation and/or penalty might apply, but penalty not always applied, and it is purely decided by the Customs officer.
• Shipments of Russian citizens will attract customs inspections more frequently due to sanctions
• Restrictions: Any type of toys more than 30 kgs are prohibited to import.

Used household Goods & Personal Effects returning Georgian citizen Diplomat (rotation)

• AWB/BL/CMR copy (whichever is issued).
• Consignee’s passport copy.
• General packing list.
• Detailed list.
• Proforma invoice.
• Notarized Power of Attorney
• Text should be provided by local agent.

• Free from VAT /Tax & Duties but letter from Ministry of Foreign Affairs must be provided.

Used household Goods & Personal Effects (Status Non-Diplomatic) Returning Georgian citizen

• AWB/BL/CMR copy (whichever is issued).
• Consignee’s passport copy.
• General Packing list.
• Detailed list.
• Proforma invoice.
• Notarized Power of Attorney
• Text should be provided by local agent.

• If Georgian citizen were out of Georgia more than 6 months, his/her shipment arrive within 3 months after his/her physical arrival to Georgia and the total cargo value does not exceed 15,000 GEL, it will be exempted one time only from VAT/Import fee payments,
• Consignee must fill import Declaration while crossing GEO Border, they must inform Customs officer that they are expecting the shipment of Used HHG/PE/Vehicle to Georgia (advise approx. mode, weight) & they will fill the declaration under their name which will be in the system.
• if not then below applies:
• 18% VAT Applies from CIF value.
• Import fee applies as follow, if total cargo value:
• up to 3000 GEL @ 100 GEL
• from 3000 GEL up to 15 000 GEL @ 400 GEL
• more than 15000 GEL @ 500 GEL.
• starts from US$ 700.00 up to US$ 10001500...

• Once all docs passed to GEO customs cargo will enter the line: there is a system at customs which applies only non-diplomatic cargos, during import Customs clearance once all docs are submitted to Customs.
• If the system shows light either Yellow or Red:
• Yellow means everything is in order and clearance will be completed shortly;
• Red means Customs officer will check all docs properly again, open some boxes & expertise the contents according to provided docs and in case of any discrepancy Consignee will be charged with penalty which starts from US$ 700.00 up to US$ 10001500... depending on non-declared items.
• Restrictions: Any type of toys more than 30 kgs are prohibited to import.

Used household Goods & Personal Effects (Diplomatic)

• AWB/BL/CMR copy (whichever is issued).
• Consignee’s passport copy.
• Consignee’s Dip Card copy.
• General Packing list copy.
• Original Letter from Consignee’s local Diplomatic GEO organization and/or Embassy.
• Draft will be provided by local agent.
• Original proforma invoice from Consignee’s local Diplomatic GEO (per requirement)
• Draft to be provided by local agent.

• Free from VAT /Tax & Duties.

• Smooth import formalities.

Vehicle (Status Non-Diplomatic) Foreigner and/or returning Georgian citizen

• BL/CMR copy (whichever is issued).
• Consignee’s passport copy.
• Copy of Vehicle’s Certificate of Title/Technical passport.
• Proforma invoice.
• Notarized Power of Attorney – text that should be added will be provided by local agent.
• If consignee is a foreigner, his addresses in Georgia as well as per international passport of country of origin are required.

• Excise and import fee applies which depends on Vehicle’s Year of manufacture and engine cubic
• Capacity.
• For returning Georgian citizen:
• If Georgian citizen were out of Georgia more than 6 months, it will be exempted one time only from excise/Import fee payments, if not then charges apply.

• Vehicles/motorbikes (any type of machine that can be registered/deregistered) under 2013 year of manufacture can be imported in Georgia only as spare parts, owner can do the customs clearance but not the registration
• Vehicles/motorbikes (any type of machine that can be registered/deregistered) from 2013 year of manufacture can be imported, custom cleared and registered also in Georgia.

Vehicle (Diplomatic)

• BL/CMR copy (whichever is issued).
• Consignee passport copy.
• Consignee’s Dip Card copy.
• Copy of Vehicle’s Certificate of Title/Technical passport.
• Proforma invoice.
• Original Letter from Consignee’s local Diplomatic GEO organization and/or Embassy. Draft will be provided by local agent.
• Letter from the Revenue Services.
• Original Proforma invoice from Consignee’s
• local Diplomatic GEO (per requirement) – draft will be provided by local agent.

• Free from VAT /Tax & Duties.

• Vehicles/motorbikes (any type of machine that can be registered/deregistered) under 2013 year of manufacture can be imported in Georgia only as spare parts, owner can do the customs clearance but not The registration
• Vehicles/motorbikes (any type of machine that can be registered/deregistered) from 2013 year of manufacture can be imported, custom cleared and registered also in Georgia.

Exporting Personal Effects from Georgia: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2025 · Download the Georgia Export Guide (PDF)

Used household Goods & Personal Effects (status non-Diplomatic) foreigner and /or Georgian citizen

• Shipper’s Passport copy
• Shipper’s Georgian ID copy (if Georgian citizen)
• General Packing list (which is prepared during Packing by local agent)
• Detailed list (prepared by local agent)
• Proforma invoice (will be provided by local agent)
• Notarized Power of Attorney (text to be provided by local agent)
• If shipper is a foreign citizen , the local agent will need the shipper’s GEO Tax Registration number which (s)he must obtain at Revenue Service in Tbilisi or other main city (Poti/Batumi/Kutaisi)
• Export Permission from the Ministry of Culture for cultural items such as painting, carpets, antique, musical instruments (must be collected by the owner at the ministry of Culture in Georgia).
• Cargo AWB/CMR/BL copy

• Free from VAT /Tax & Duties.
• When the shipper is a Russian citizen, he/she cannot ship any electronic items.

• Once all docs passed to GEO customs, cargo will enter the line: there is a system at customs which applies only non-diplomatic cargos, during export Customs clearance: once all docs are submitted to Customs, system shows light: either Yellow or Red:
• Yellow means everything is in order and clearance will be completed shortly;
• Red means Customs officer will check all docs properly again, open some boxes & expertise the contents according to provided docs and in case of any discrepancy shipper will be charged with Penalty – but this rarely applies for export cases.
• Prohibited items for exportation:
• Any musical instruments including Guitar, Grand or upright Pianos with elephant’s Ivory keyboards manufactured since 1974,
• if after expertise its determined that manufacture is since 1974 CITEs certificate will be required & customs have right to confiscate the item even if certificate will be obtained & presented!
• Weapons of all kinds
• Pornography
• Narcotics
• Toxic material
• Radioactive material
• wildlife specimen/trophies
• plants/rocks/medicin
• any type of food/beverages
• for RU citizens not allowed to ship: any kind of office electronics that can carry/save the information, computers, printers, scanner, photo/video camera, memory card, drones, smart watches, smart vacuum cleaners etc..

Used household Goods & Personal Effects (Diplomatic)

• Shipper’s Passport copy
• Shipper’s Diplomatic Card copy
• General Packing list (which is prepared during Packing by local agent)
• Proforma invoice (will be provided by local agent)

• Free from VAT /Tax & Duties

Vehicle (Status Non-Diplomatic) Foreigner and/or Georgian citizen

• Shipper’s Passport copy
• Shipper’s Georgian ID copy (if Georgian citizen)
• Vehicle’s condition report (which is prepared during pick up by local agent)
• Vehicles’ technical passport copy
• Original proforma invoice (in case shipper is working at Organization) (draft will be provided by local agent)
• Original Notarized Power of Attorney (text that should be added will be provided by local agent)
• If shipper is foreign citizen, the local agent willl need his/her addresses both in Georgia as well as per international passport country
• of origin
• Original deregistration docs + export declaration (which will be issued by Patrul/Police office in Rustali city)

• Free from VAT /Tax & Duties

• When done deregistration of the vehicle in Georgia and export declaration is issued there will be a deadline to export the vehicle out of Georgia, which must be taken into consideration – this is very important to avoid a fine.

Vehicle (Diplomatic)

• Shipper’s Passport copy
• Shipper’s Diplomatic card copy
• Vehicle’s condition report (which is prepared during pick up by local agent)
• Vehicles’ technical passport copy
• Original proforma invoice from shipper’s diplomatic organization (draft will be provided by local agent)
• Original letter “Power of Attorney” from shipper’s diplomatic organization (draft will be provided by local agent)
• Original Deregistration docs + export declaration (which will be issued by Patrul/Police office in Rustali city)

• Free from VAT /Tax & Duties

• When done deregistration of the Vehicle in Georgia and export declaration is issued there will be Deadline to export the Vehicle out of Georgia, which must be taken into consideration to avoid a fine.

Georgia Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Georgia Country Guide (PDF)

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

• 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

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.

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.