Importing Food Products into Armenia: What Shelf-Life Restrictions Apply?

When importing food products into Armenia, it is essential to verify not only product quality, shipping documents, and certificates, but also the remaining shelf life of the goods.
Armenian legislation establishes specific restrictions that may prevent food products from being imported if the applicable requirements are not met.

When is the import of food products prohibited?

Under Article 9, Part 10 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On Food Safety", the importation of food products is prohibited in the following circumstances:

1. The product has passed its expiration date.

2. Less than 30 days remain before the product's expiration date.

3. For products with a total shelf life of less than 120 days, the remaining shelf life is less than one-quarter (1/4) of the original shelf life.

4. The expiration date is missing from the packaging or container, or it is illegible.

5. The expiration date has been marked more than once, or the original expiration date has been removed and replaced with a new one.

Important distinction: The minimum remaining shelf-life requirements of 30 days or one-quarter of the total shelf life apply exclusively to food products imported into Armenia.

The other restrictions listed above also apply to the sale of food products and their use in food service establishments, as provided by law.

How is the remaining shelf life calculated?

The following examples illustrate how these requirements apply in practice.

Example 1. A product with a 12-month shelf life

A food product has a total shelf life of 12 months. However, only 20 days remain before its expiration date at the time of the intended import.

Result: Importation is prohibited because the remaining shelf life is less than 30 days.

Example 2. A product with a 90-day shelf life

For food products with a total shelf life of less than 120 days, the one-quarter rule applies.

Calculation: 90 ÷ 4 = 22.5 days.

Result: If less than 22.5 days remain before expiration at the time of import, the product cannot legally be imported.

Example 3. A product with a 180-day shelf life

The total shelf life is 180 days, and 35 days remain before expiration.

Result: The product is not prohibited from importation under the remaining shelf-life requirement, provided that all other applicable legal and regulatory requirements are satisfied.

What should importers know about product labeling?

Armenian legislation prohibits removing or altering the original expiration date and replacing it with a new one. Repeated marking of the expiration date is also prohibited.

Furthermore, Armenian-language labels must not be affixed over the original expiration date indicated by the manufacturer.

These restrictions apply regardless of the language in which the expiration date is originally displayed.

Importers should therefore inspect the original packaging and labeling before the goods are dispatched from the supplier's warehouse.

What do we recommend to food importers?

Before purchasing and shipping food products to Armenia, we recommend the following:

• Request production dates and expiration dates for each product and individual batch.

• Check the remaining shelf life, taking into account the expected international shipping time.

• Obtain photographs of the original packaging and manufacturer's labeling.

• Identify the required import permits, conformity documentation, and food safety documents in advance.

How can REGULUS GROUP assist?

REGULUS GROUP provides professional support to importers, including preliminary document reviews, customs consultations, assistance with obtaining required permits, and customs clearance services in Armenia.

Verify food import requirements before shipping your goods, not after the shipment arrives in Armenia.

Legal reference: Law of the Republic of Armenia "On Food Safety", Article 9, Parts 10 and 11

Customs consultation: REGULUS GROUP