Finance Minister stresses “strict control” on sanctioned goods in Georgian customs

Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili on Thursday said Georgian customs authorities had ensured “strict control” on the movement of goods in the list of international sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine “immediately” following their approval.

In his remarks at an event dedicated to International Customs Day, Khutsishvili noted a working group had been created in the Customs Risk Management Division of the Customs Department of Georgia’s Revenue Service to ensure “centralised control” of sanctions enforcement “from the first days” of the imposition of the sanctions.

He explained the authorities had drawn up 14 “risk profiles” to monitor movement of the goods throughout Georgia, in addition to looking at sanctioned individuals and companies as well as transit, export and re-export procedures.

Khutsishvili also said the capacity of customs checkpoints throughout the country to implement “appropriate controls” had been strengthened.

Since the first days of the imposition of the sanctions, a number of communications have been made with our strategic [international] partners regarding the technical assistance required for a proper administration of the international sanctions”, the Minister explained.

The official also noted diplomatic corps in the country had also been introduced to cargo control procedures at the Kazbegi customs checkpoint in Georgia's north, on the border with Russia.

The Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance held a number of meetings with embassies of European Union member states on this topic, where the measures taken by the Georgian Customs Service in the process of enforcing sanctions were highly appreciated”, the Minister concluded.