Imports of vehicles decreased by more than a third in Azerbaijan

Baku, Azerbaijan, June 10
By Emin Aliyev - Trend:

The number of imported cars decreased by 35-40 percent in Azerbaijan over the past two months, Chief of Main Finance-Tariff and Currency Control Office of the State Customs Committee Mirgasim Vahabov told Trend.

The sharp decline in imports on this category was due to the application of ecological standard of Euro-4 fuel from April 1 in the country. The import of cars to Azerbaijan not meeting the specified ecological standard was banned.

"However, we can not say that the sharp decrease in automobile imports will significantly impact on the revenues of the state budget. The fees are provided not only and not so much due to this category of goods. Import's structure may change during the year, and it is changing, and the decrease in one category will be compensated by other types of imported goods," he said.

It is also necessary to consider other factors, he said.

"One of these factors is that the country has imported more expensive cars. Vehicles that comply with Euro 4, are much more expensive than obsolete cars, the import of which is prohibited from April. Thus, the reduction of customs duties on these vehicles is compensated by the increase in fees on VAT," Vahabov said.

Restrictions on the import of cars in Azerbaijan, not meeting Euro 4 ecological standard is primarily associated with the efforts to improve the environmental situation in the country.

Furthermore, at present the work and discussion are underway in the country on the introduction of a mechanism of phased decommissioning of old cars not meeting the high ecological standards.

The restrictions on imports touched both imported and domestically produced cars.

Russian-made cars may be imported into the country in case of compliance with Euro-4 ecological standard.

Edited by CN