Preferential and simplified rules for customs control and clearance of vehicles imported into Azerbaijan have been established.
elchi reports with reference to Trend that the relevant law adopted on June 19 in connection with amendments to the Customs Code came into force on September 3.
According to the law, during customs control, customs authorities will apply the following simplified customs operations:
– priority execution of forms of customs control over goods and vehicles;
– recognition by customs authorities of identification means applied to vehicles by foreign trade participants;
– removal of identification means applied by customs authorities by foreign trade participants without the presence of customs officials;
– unloading and loading of goods under customs control from vehicles without the presence of customs officials;
– no requirement for a route to be determined by customs authorities for the transport of goods under customs control;
– temporary storage of goods and vehicles in warehouses used by their owners;
– transportation of imported goods directly to a warehouse used by the person;
– direct shipment of goods to the border crossing point where they are declared by submitting the customs declaration for exported goods and vehicles to customs authorities electronically.
During customs clearance, customs authorities will apply the following simplified customs operations:
– priority and immediate release of goods imported into or exported from the customs territory;
– non-requirement by customs authorities of security methods provided for in the Customs Code to secure the payment of customs debt;
– permission for the release of goods imported into the customs territory based on a short import declaration;
– implementation of all customs operations related to customs clearance on a priority basis at Trade Facilitation Centers;
– declaration of goods based on a simplified declaration.
Customs clearance of military weapons and ammunition, goods purchased for defense and national security needs, live animals, perishable goods, radioactive materials, materials for media (audiovisual, print, online media, information agencies) purposes, goods sent to the addresses of legislative, executive and judicial authorities, the Central Bank and other similar goods will be carried out in a simplified manner, while customs clearance of goods and vehicles necessary during pandemics, infectious diseases, natural disasters, other emergencies and social emergencies will be carried out in a preferential and simplified manner.
The preferential and simplified rules for customs control and clearance of goods will be determined by the relevant executive authority.
It should be noted that this draft law was first presented at the meeting of the Milli Majlis Committee on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship held on April 29.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the State Customs Committee Shahin Bagirov stated that the main goals of the project include further development of Azerbaijan’s transit potential, promotion of the reliable partnership institute, expansion of simplifications in customs operations, as well as the application of modern and flexible approaches in customs control.
Speaking about innovations related to the development of transit potential, Shahin Bagirov emphasized the importance of applying the “one electronic declaration” principle in multimodal transport. It was noted that innovations such as integration into international transit systems and digitalization of transit operations will also serve to further strengthen Azerbaijan’s position as a transit country.
When discussing the changes envisaged in the project towards promoting reliable partnership, information was provided on expanding the scope of the Authorized Economic Operator status and improving the customs representation institute.
Among the proposed innovations regarding simplifications in customs operations, the electronization of administrative acts, the expansion of electronic document circulation, as well as the application of the Trade Facilitation Center concept were specifically mentioned.
It was emphasized that these changes will serve to strengthen the legitimacy of administrative processes, reduce the administrative burden on business entities, and form a more favorable legal environment. At the same time, it was brought to attention that the document clarifies the legal basis for customs control and audit mechanisms and establishes new procedures in this area.
It was noted that the preparation of a separate rule for the implementation of customs control forms, and the provision of proportionality, justification, documentation, video recording, and complaint mechanisms in those rules serve to ensure human rights and freedoms.
It was emphasized that the new edition of the Customs Code will create a favorable legal basis for the transition of customs regulation to a more flexible, transparent, and business-oriented model, for the more operational and efficient organization of foreign trade operations, and for the expansion of the country’s transit and logistics capabilities.