Clearing a US car through customs in Armenia in 2026: EAEU duty, right-hand drive, electric cars

Armenia is Georgia's closest neighbour, and for a US car it is also the shortest route: by road from Poti or Batumi, with no ferry and no third countries. According to Geostat, car re-exports from Georgia to Armenia are growing in 2026. Below: how customs clearance works in Armenia. Data as of November 2026.

Armenia in the EAEU: what it means

Armenia is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union. Payments on a car from a third country — including the USA — are calculated under the EAEU Common Customs Tariff. Clearance happens in Armenia: the car moves through Georgia in transit.

Individual or company: two ways to calculate

• An individual importing for personal use — a single combined payment calculated from the car's age and engine size.
• A company — import duty on the customs value plus VAT.

We do not publish amounts: they depend on the car's value and the exchange rate. The general rule: the duty depends on the age category and is noticeably higher for older cars, so check the age and engine before bidding.

What else is paid

• An environmental payment.
• Costs of registration, technical inspection and number plates.
• Compulsory insurance (OSAGO) for registration.

Right-hand drive is banned — US cars qualify

Since 1 April 2018, importing and selling right-hand-drive cars has been banned in Armenia. US cars are left-hand drive.

Electric cars: 2026 benefits

Until 31 December 2026, electric car imports into Armenia are VAT-free. In addition, Armenia received an EAEU quota for duty-free EV imports for 2026. Check the remaining quota and the 2027 conditions before buying.

Age: manufacture date, not model year

For calculating payments, age counts from the manufacture date. A US car at auction shows its model year, while the manufacture date is on the sticker in the driver's door jamb. We check it before bidding.

Documents

• Auction (Copart or IAAI) invoice.
• Title — the US ownership document.
• Export declaration of the country of export.
• Bill of Lading.
• Georgian transit documents.

The documents that pass through us — the auction invoice, Title, Bill of Lading and transit documents — we hand over together with the car in Poti or Batumi. For registration you will need a technical inspection, OSAGO insurance and an ID document.

Where clearance takes place

Usually at the Yerevan customs terminal. Then come technical inspection and registration with the road police.

What this means when choosing a car

Check the manufacture date and engine size — they set the payments. Avoid flooded (Water/Flood) and burnt (Burn) cars. How to check a lot — in our Copart and IAAI guide (it works for buyers from Armenia too). The route — in from Georgia to Armenia.

Rules may change. Check the current requirements before buying or contact us. Our service for Armenia is on the cars from the USA to Armenia page.