Logistics
Shipping a car from Georgia to Azerbaijan: the route via the Red Bridge, car carriers and timelines
The route to Azerbaijan is short — a single land border. But there is a catch: Azerbaijan's land crossings have been closed to passengers since March 2020 (at least until 2 January 2027), while freight keeps moving. So a US car travels to Azerbaijan only on a car carrier.
The route, stage by stage
1. USA → Poti or Batumi
The car is loaded into a container at a US port; the ocean leg usually takes 3–5 weeks. You can follow the ship in our container tracking.
2. Transit through Georgia
The car is not cleared in Georgia — no Georgian excise or VAT. We prepare the transit/re-export paperwork and hand the car over to you or your carrier in Poti or Batumi.
3. By car carrier to the border
The main crossing for trucks is the Red Bridge on the Tbilisi — Baku highway. There is also the northern crossing Lagodekhi — Balakan.
4. The border and customs in Azerbaijan
Clearance takes place at Azerbaijani customs, followed by registration. Rules and payments — in our article clearing a US car in Azerbaijan.
Queues at the Red Bridge
In summer 2026, hundreds of trucks built up at the Red Bridge, with the queue stretching for several kilometres. After joint measures by the Georgian and Azerbaijani customs services, the queue was cut to a minimum in August 2026. Check the situation with your carrier before sending the car.
Timelines
- USA → Poti/Batumi: usually 3–5 weeks.
- Poti → Baku: usually a few days — depending on the border queue and how quickly the car carrier fills up.
- Customs and registration: quick when the documents are ready.
Documents on the way
- Auction invoice and Title.
- Bill of Lading.
- Georgian transit documents.
- CMR — the carrier's consignment note.
What we do, and what you or your carrier do
- We: buy on Copart/IAAI, deliver to Poti or Batumi, prepare the Georgian transit documents, and hand over the car and paperwork.
- You or your carrier: car carrier delivery to Azerbaijan, customs clearance and registration in Azerbaijan.
Our service — on the cars from the USA to Azerbaijan page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive the car myself?
Not at the moment: Azerbaijan's land border is closed to passengers. The car travels on a car carrier.
Until when is the border closed to passengers?
At least until 2 January 2027. The closure has been extended several times — check the current status.
Which crossing does the car carrier use?
Usually the Red Bridge on the Tbilisi — Baku highway.
Are there queues at the border?
Trucks built up in summer 2026; in August the queue was cut to a minimum. Check with your carrier before sending the car.
Does the car need customs clearance in Georgia?
No. The car passes through Georgia in transit and is cleared in Azerbaijan.
Where do you hand over the car?
In Poti or Batumi — to you or your carrier.
How long does the trip from Poti to Baku take?
Usually a few days — depending on the border queue and how quickly the car carrier fills up.