WHAT CAN I BRING IN AND TAKE OUT?

CUSTOMS has an official list of items that can be brought in that taken out of Armenia, and which ones are subject to duty. Most of these are treated as trade or business export dutiable items, and the tourist traveler will not be bothered with this kind of scrutiny. At the same time, there are certain cultural or valuable items which by their nature will attract the attention of the tourist, and they are either forbidden for export or subject to a duty tax. These include paintings, carpets, kilims, gold, silver and platinum, precious stones, and antiques.

To see the entire list, Go To Customs Tarriffs.

It is important to realize that Customs Officials are very good at spotting valuable items if they search your baggage, and it is not listed on your declaration form you are subject to duty tax or refusal to export. Armenia is a developing economy, and has had its share of wholesale theft of major treasures, so officials are on the lookout for people attempting to take items out illegally.

At the same time, there is no willful abuse of this process, unless the traveler instigates it. Follow these guidelines, and you will not have to fear any problems at customs.

Key: Determined value is the value set by Customs. If you have a receipt from an authorized dealer (i.e. NOT on the street or at Vernisage) with a registered stamp, that value will be accepted, as long as it is within the range determined by Customs to be a fair value. These guys are good at this, so don’t expect any end-runs to save you a few pennies.

You can BRING IN and TAKE OUT the following w/o declaring:

· Any article of clothing or any item for personal use.
· 60 packs of cigarettes, 4 boxes cigars, 10 liters of alcohol
· Souvenirs, gifts (see below for what should be declared)
· Photo Cameras, film, postcards and letters of a personal nature
· Gifts for others in Armenia (including electronic appliances, TV’s, VCR’s, Stereos, furniture, etc.)
· Music, CD’s, players, computers, electronics, etc. for personal use
· Anything of a personal nature, that is not in too great a quantity and does not appear to be brought in for sale or profit.

"With the Following Exceptions:"
You are NOT allowed to BRING IN the following items:

· Weapons, ammunition, explosives, poisonous mixtures or radioactive material
· Narcotics, Psychedelic Drugs, and their instruments of use
· Any electronic, computer or video recording, any print or hand written material or any other form of document that reveals state secrets, or seeks to overthrow or circumvent the government and its representatives (also means patents and commerce information, also means on computer disc form)
· Pornographic material (applied to mean anything not missionary position heterosexual in nature)

You are NOT allowed to TAKE OUT the following items:

· Any of the above
· Antiques of any kind (100 years and older)
· Certain 20th Century cultural items (see below)
· Unprocessed precious metals and stones without permit

"So What do I write on the Form?"
What to Declare on ENTERING and EXITING:

· Anything in large quantities for the purpose of selling or bartering:
You CAN bring these things in and take them out, but you must first declare and pay an import tax of 10% on the determined value.

· Computers, Electronic equipment, Modems, Scanners, Recorders, recording tapes, Music players and music, Video Cameras, Very Expensive Cameras and lens:
If you bring it in, declare it. Otherwise you pay 10-20% duty tax when you leave.

· Gold and Silver jewelry of any kind.
Subject to 20% duty tax on determined value if not declared when you enter. See below for exporting.

· Rare or Precious minerals, jewels or stones:
If unprocessed, be prepared for some grilling. If in jewelry, see Jewelry and precious Items below.

· ALL Paintings:
Even that $20 bargain basement picture of Ararat you found at Vernisage is subject to duty tax. See: Ministry of Culture and the Vernisage, below.

· Other Artwork:
Simple souvenir carvings are not included in this description, but anything that is expensive or valuable is.

· Carpets: New factory-made:
You are allowed to export one free of charge. Any more, and you must pay 10% of the determined value (have receipt from authorized seller)

· Carpets: ANY hand-made:
Old or new carpets and kilims are considered part of the National Treasure, and must be granted permission to export and are subject to a 20% fee and duty tax (See Ministry of Culture and the Vernisage).

· Caviar, processed Food:
For caviar in excess of 0.5 kilograms, there is a 20% duty tax. For other processed foods, check the Customs List.

· Personal use items for those spending a longer time in-country, coming to Armenia to work (furniture, electronic appliances, TV’s, VCR’s, Stereos, etc.):
This will not apply to most tourists, but it does apply to volunteers and foreign workers. Everything must be declared on entry to be allowed to export.

· Prescription Drugs (must have doctor’s certificate)

· Computer Discs with information on them:
Declare and explain their purpose. Normally this is a formality, but there has been a problem with people exporting or importing state or secret information (which can mean everything from serious espionage to trade secrets and patents), and Customs Officials are on the lookout for this.

The Poop: Basically, what is considered of great value and you want to take out of Armenia should be declared. Most souvenirs are not considered declarable, unless they use gold, silver or precious stones, or are considered part of the National Treasure (paintings, expensive carvings, old and rare carpets, icons, antiques, etc.). If you bring it in, value it, and want to take it out, declare it. If you bought it Armenia, and you want to take it out, be sure of its value, have a receipt, and then declare it.