Import and Export Licenses and Permits in Armenia: Which Authority Should You Contact?

When importing goods into Armenia or exporting goods from Armenia, a commercial invoice, shipping documents, and a customs declaration may not always be sufficient. Certain categories of goods are subject to non-tariff regulatory measures that may require an import or export license, permit, authorization, or registered notification.

Before entering into an international trade transaction, businesses should determine whether their goods are subject to restrictions and identify the competent Armenian authority responsible for the relevant sector.

Two important legal sources are Eurasian Economic Commission Board Decision No. 30 of April 21, 2015, on non-tariff regulation, and Armenian Government Decision No. 1524-N of December 25, 2014.

1. What is non-tariff regulation?

Non-tariff regulation covers measures governing international trade other than ordinary customs tariffs and taxes.

Article 46 of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union provides for several measures in trade with third countries:

• Import and/or export prohibitions.
• Quantitative import and/or export restrictions.
• Exclusive rights to import or export certain goods.
• Automatic licensing and monitoring.
• Import and/or export authorization procedures.

These measures may protect public health, the environment, cultural heritage, security, or other legitimate public interests.

A prohibition is different from a restriction. Where imports are prohibited, obtaining an ordinary license does not automatically make the goods admissible. Where an authorization procedure applies, a transaction may be permitted if the relevant conditions are satisfied.

2. What does EEC Decision No. 30 regulate?

EEC Board Decision No. 30 of April 21, 2015, establishes the principal common non-tariff regulation measures applied to trade between the EAEU and third countries.

The decision provides for:

• Annex No. 1: goods subject to import and/or export prohibitions.
• Annex No. 2: goods subject to an authorization procedure.
• Annex No. 2.1: certain quantitative restrictions.
• Additional annexes establishing rules for specific categories of goods.

This decision helps businesses identify the applicable trade restrictions and determine the relevant import or export procedures.

3. Why is Armenian Government Decision No. 1524-N important?

Armenian Government Decision No. 1524-N of December 25, 2014, establishes national lists of relevant product categories, identifies competent government authorities, and sets out a framework for issuing import and export licenses and permits.

Its principal annexes are:

• Annex No. 1: prohibited product categories.
• Annex No. 2: restricted product categories.
• Annex No. 3: competent state authorities responsible for the relevant sectors.
• Annex No. 4: framework procedures for issuing licenses and permits.

Annex No. 3 is particularly useful to businesses because it identifies which Armenian state authority is responsible for the relevant product category.

4. Which Armenian authority is responsible for each product category?

The following examples are based on Annex No. 3 to Armenian Government Decision No. 1524-N.

Important: This table is not the complete list under Annex No. 3. It identifies the authorities coordinating the relevant sectors, rather than guaranteeing that every product in a category requires the same document.

For each transaction, the applicable import or export direction, product characteristics, legal requirements, and exemptions must be checked.

5. License, permit, authorization, or notification: what is the difference?

License

A license authorizes the import or export of specified goods under the conditions established by the relevant legislation. Depending on the applicable framework, single, general, or exclusive licenses may be available.

Permit

Under the framework established by Decision No. 1524-N, a permit is associated with transactions involving products subject to automatic licensing or monitoring.

Authorization (Conclusion)

In certain cases established by the Eurasian Economic Commission, an authorization document grants the right to import or export the relevant goods.

Notification

Some product categories may be subject to notification registration rather than an ordinary licensing procedure.

Important: The term "import permit" is frequently used as a general expression. The legally required document may instead be a license, an authorization, or a registered notification.

6. Practical examples for importers and exporters

Example 1: Importing pesticides

A company planning to import plant protection products into Armenia from a third country should examine the product's composition, EAEU HS classification, and applicable restrictions.

Annex No. 3 to Decision No. 1524-N identifies the Ministry of Economy as the authority responsible for this sector. The precise documentation requirements must be established under the applicable product-specific regulations.

Example 2: Importing radio-electronic equipment

For certain radio-electronic and high-frequency devices, importers should review technical specifications, operating frequencies, intended use, and the applicable product lists.

The Ministry of High-Tech Industry is identified as the responsible authority for the relevant sector. This does not mean that every electronic device automatically requires the same authorization.

Example 3: Exporting cultural property

Before exporting cultural property or relevant archival materials from Armenia, businesses should verify the applicable restrictions and documentation requirements.

The responsible authority for this sector is the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.

7. How can an application be submitted?

Annex No. 4 to Decision No. 1524-N provides for electronic applications through Armenia's National Single Window for Foreign Trade.

• www.trade.gov.am — National Single Window for Foreign Trade
• www.sw.gov.am — Permitting Documents System

Depending on the type of goods and document, an application may require applicant identification, product details, supporting records, information on state fees, and additional documents prescribed by sector-specific regulations.

The general framework provides for certain application processing deadlines, but these should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every type of license or permit will always be issued within one working day.

8. What information should be checked before shipping?

• The exact commercial and technical description of the goods.
• The EAEU HS classification.
• Product composition, specifications, and intended use.
• The country and direction of import or export.
• The Commercial Invoice, sales contract, and delivery terms.
• Manufacturer technical documentation where relevant.
• Existing licenses, authorizations, or other compliance records.

This is a practical preliminary review checklist, not a universal statutory document list for every shipment.

9. Does every product require an import permit?

No. A permit or license requirement must be established by an applicable legal rule.

Even when goods fall within a broadly regulated sector, businesses must examine the precise product description, classification, applicable restrictions, and any exemptions.

Furthermore, the regulations discussed in this article primarily concern trade between the EAEU and third countries. Different rules may apply to movements between EAEU member states and to veterinary, phytosanitary, sanitary, or technical conformity requirements.

Non-tariff import and export authorizations therefore do not automatically replace other documents required for a shipment.

10. Frequently asked questions

Is the EAEU HS code enough to establish whether a permit is required?

Not always. The tariff code must be assessed together with the actual product description and the relevant legal lists.

Can an importer rely on a supplier's statement that no permit is required?

Supplier information can be useful but does not replace a review of Armenian and EAEU legal requirements.

Can a license be obtained after the shipment arrives?

The conditions for obtaining the required document and completing customs clearance should be reviewed in advance. Delayed applications may result in additional expenses and clearance delays.

Do the same rules apply to shipments from other EAEU countries?

Measures established for trade with third countries should not automatically be applied to all movements between EAEU member states. The specific legal position and any other applicable restrictions must be checked separately.

11. REGULUS GROUP recommendations

Import and export compliance should be assessed before a purchase is finalized or goods are shipped.

1. Determine the exact product description and EAEU HS code.
2. Check applicable prohibitions and restrictions under EEC Decision No. 30 and other relevant regulations.
3. Identify the responsible Armenian authority under Annex No. 3 to Decision No. 1524-N.
4. Determine which document is required and the procedure for obtaining it.
5. Finalize shipping and customs clearance arrangements after the relevant requirements have been reviewed.

REGULUS GROUP assists importers and exporters with preliminary product reviews, EAEU HS classification, regulatory restrictions, coordination of necessary authorization documents, customs consultations, and customs clearance services in Armenia.

Correct product classification, identification of the responsible authority, and early documentation checks help businesses reduce compliance risks and avoid unnecessary clearance delays.

Legal basis and official sources

• Armenian Government Decision No. 1524-N of December 25, 2014 — Annexes 1–4 (ARLIS, Armenian text)
• EEC Board Decision No. 30 of April 21, 2015 — Non-Tariff Regulation Measures (ARLIS, Armenian text)
• Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union — Article 46 and Annex 7 (ARLIS, Armenian text)

Importers and exporters should verify the current legal texts and product-specific requirements before each transaction.

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