YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan). In the third quarter of 1998 a total of 1,515 cars were imported by Armenia–of which 1,348 were imported by citizens and 167 by organizations or private enterprises. According to the chief of the information department of the Armenian Customs Office–Suzanna Simonian–cars are mainly imported in Armenia from Russia. Most of the imported cars were manufactured in Russia.
She also said that if a car is imported from Russia–Ukraine–Kyrgyzstan and Georgia–the importer doesn’t have to pay a customs duty which is equal to 10% of the car’s cost. This law went into effect following a free trade agreement Armenia ratified with these countries.
At present the Customs Office of Armenia levies 10% customs duty–0.3% customs payment and 20 percent value-added tax. According to the government’s decision–a 15% excise duty was annulled starting September 21.