Georgian Revenue Service debunks “blocking” of Armenian cargo claims

The Revenue Service of Georgia's Ministry of Finance on Wednesday issued a strong denial regarding recent claims by certain media outlets and opposition parties concerning the alleged “blocking” of Armenian cargo, including gas products, within Georgia.

In an official statement, the Revenue Service labeled the information as “complete falsehood”, asserting that it aims to mislead the public, discredit the agency, and politicize the issue.

The statement clarifies that despite an increased volume of cargo turnover, all customs procedures for international transport vehicles are being carried out in a “special/active mode” to ensure their unimpeded passage. Furthermore, customs officers at all border crossing points across Georgia are fully prepared to swiftly conduct control procedures for individuals, light vehicles, and passenger cars on a 24-hour basis.

The Revenue Service emphasized that photo and video materials circulated by the media, depicting vehicles loaded with gas products, do not reflect the actual situation at customs checkpoints, including the Kazbegi Customs Checkpoint. While acknowledging a brief, minor delay for some trucks at Kazbegi, the Service stated that this issue has been “fully resolved”.

According to data from the past year, customs formalities were completed for 364,670 trucks passing through the Kazbegi Customs Checkpoint in both directions.

The Ministry of Finance's Revenue Service reiterated that its customs control procedures are subject to strict monitoring and will continue to be so. The agency concluded its statement with a call for all parties to “refrain from disseminating unverified and false information”.