Bringing a Car and Belongings to Armenia: 2026 Customs Rules

By WSE.AM editorial team, edited by Mark Muzyka · Updated 23 October 2026

A car registered outside the EAEU can enter Armenia for up to 1 year with a written declaration. New permanent residents import used goods duty free once.

A car registered outside the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) can be brought into Armenia temporarily for a maximum of 1 year, with a mandatory written passenger customs declaration; cars registered in other EAEU countries are not declared at all. Foreigners who obtain permanent residence or refugee status in Armenia can, once, import used belongings and a car duty free within 18 months, if the car was registered to them and owned for at least 6 months. Duty-free allowances for personal belongings on an ordinary entry are not published in a readable official form; check them with the State Revenue Committee.

Up to date as of 23 October 2026. This is not legal advice: laws change, check the source or a lawyer before acting.

Which rules apply to your car

Most readers from India, Iran, Europe or the US drive cars registered outside the EAEU, so the first row is the one that usually applies.

Temporary import of a car registered outside the EAEU

According to the State Revenue Committee guide on importing vehicles, an individual can bring in a personal car registered in a non-EAEU country for no more than 1 year. The car must be declared in writing on a passenger customs declaration.

The second row matters once you settle: under the State Revenue Committee guide, a person whose permanent residence is already in Armenia counts as a person of the Union, and temporary import of a car from a non-EAEU country then needs a cash security for duties and taxes.

The official sources we used do not give the cost of fully clearing a car for permanent registration outside the relocation privilege below. Ask the State Revenue Committee before shipping a car to Armenia for good.

What you need at the border in any car

• CMTPL insurance. A compulsory motor third-party liability policy is taken out when you drive any vehicle into Armenia. Driving without it is fined 100,000 AMD.
• Environmental tax. Cars not registered in Armenia pay it on every entry. For passenger cars with up to 10 seats the State Revenue Committee guide gives 3,750 or 7,500 AMD.

Duty-free move: household goods and a car for new permanent residents

This privilege applies to foreigners who have obtained permanent residence or refugee status in Armenia. Conditions from the State Revenue Committee material published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

1. Goods must be brought from the country of previous residence no later than 18 months from the date the status document was issued. 2. The car must have been registered to you and legally owned by you in the country of previous residence for at least 6 months before that date. 3. Only used goods qualify, within the limits below. 4. The privilege can be used once.

The document confirming permanent residence for this purpose is issued by the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. One condition is that the foreigner was absent from Armenia for at least 1280 days within the 2550 days before applying. How to get permanent residence is explained in Armenian residence permit: types and documents.

Personal belongings on an ordinary entry

We could not find the duty-free value and weight allowances for personal belongings on a normal entry (without the relocation status) in a readable official source: the State Revenue Committee guide on src.am does not open correctly. This is not officially published in usable form as of 23 October 2026. Before sending a container or heavy luggage, confirm the limits with the State Revenue Committee.

Driving licence after the move

Rules from the Law on Road Traffic Safety and the Road Police:

The last row matters for diaspora Armenians who already hold Armenian citizenship. The list of documents for exchanging a licence is not officially published; check with the Road Police.

If the car is coming with you and you need a flat with parking, mention it in our apartment search in Yerevan.

Sources

• State Revenue Committee of Armenia: importation of vehicles (src.am)
• State Revenue Committee: customs privileges for relocation (published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PDF)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia: customs privileges
• Law on Road Traffic Safety (arlis.am)
• Road Police of Armenia: FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How long can I keep a foreign-registered car in Armenia? A car registered outside the EAEU can be temporarily imported for a maximum of 1 year. It must be declared in writing on a passenger customs declaration.

Can I import a car to Armenia duty free when I move? Yes, if you have obtained permanent residence or refugee status. The car must have been registered to you and owned for at least 6 months before the status document was issued, and it must arrive within 18 months; the privilege covers 1 vehicle of each type and can be used once.

What are the customs rules for personal belongings in Armenia? New permanent residents and refugees can bring used personal belongings without limit, up to 3 appliances of each type and 1 furniture set of each type, duty free and once. Allowances for an ordinary entry are not published in readable official form; ask the State Revenue Committee.

What do I pay when driving into Armenia? A CMTPL insurance policy is compulsory, and driving without it is fined 100,000 AMD. Cars not registered in Armenia also pay an environmental tax on each entry, 3,750 or 7,500 AMD for passenger cars with up to 10 seats.

Can I drive in Armenia with my foreign licence? Yes. A non-citizen may use an international permit only together with the national licence, and cannot work as a driver on a foreign licence unless they are an EAEU citizen or work in international transport.

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