📄 Documents and customs for shipping at Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is non-EU: every shipment goes through the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee. Required documents:
- commercial invoice or proforma
- detailed description of the goods (NO “gift”)
- free export declaration
- EORI for corporate shipments
- sender's identity document (required by some couriers)
Duties and Azerbaijani VAT
Azerbaijan applies variable customs duties per commodity category. VAT is 18% and is applied on imports. The de minimis threshold for personal use is generally USD 300 (approximately €280) - below this threshold, personal shipments are not subject to customs duties.
📋 What is TARIC code
💡 Azerbaijan is in the process of customs modernisation but some processes remain manual. Comprehensive documents and accurate descriptions significantly reduce customs clearance times and the risk of blockages.
🚫 Avoid generic descriptions: “gift” - “clothes” - “personal items”
✅ Use detailed descriptions:
- “Men's cotton T-shirt - 3 pieces - value €45 - made in Italy”.”
- “Leather shoes - 1 pair - value €120 - made in Italy”.”
- “Electronic components - 2 pieces - value €150 - personal use”.”
- “Paper documents without commercial value”
Prohibited or restricted products
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances
- Firearms, ammunition and explosives
- Pornographic material
- Drugs and prescription drugs without documentation
- Plants and seeds without phytosanitary certification
- Products with maps showing Nagorno-Karabakh as a separate territory from Azerbaijan
🍷 Wine and spirits: permitted for personal use within the permitted thresholds. Azerbaijan does not apply the Islamic ban on alcohol in the same way as Saudi Arabia.
🍝 Packaged foods: generally allowed for personal use with customs declaration.