Customs Code Simplified From September 3: What Changes for Car Importers

As of September 3, 2026, a new set of simplified customs control and clearance procedures is in force in Azerbaijan. Developed under the State Customs Committee, led by chairman Shahin Bagirov, and enacted through amendments to the Customs Code passed by parliament earlier in 2026, the changes are aimed first and foremost at vehicles brought in from abroad — though they aren't limited to cars alone.

For anyone regularly importing cars from US auctions like Copart and IAAI, the question is simple: does this mean less paperwork, less waiting, or less money?

What's actually being simplified

The new rules bring a handful of concrete procedural changes:

• No more mandatory sequential inspection order — customs control no longer has to follow a fixed, queue-based process.
• Traders' own identification marks are recognized — seals and markings applied by the importer or carrier can be accepted instead of requiring customs to reseal everything.
• Goods can be unloaded from the vehicle without a customs officer physically present.
• No fixed route is designated for goods moving under customs supervision.
• Temporary storage is allowed in the owner's own warehouse, not only in customs-designated storage facilities.
• Expedited release of goods is introduced as a standard option.
• In certain cases, the guarantee requirement for customs debt is removed entirely.
• For exports, direct shipment to the departure point is allowed based on an electronic customs declaration.

On top of these, Azerbaijan is establishing Trade Facilitation Centers — single locations meant to coordinate customs operations in one place instead of sending importers between different offices.

Important clarification: this isn't a duty cut

Worth being precise here: these are procedural simplifications, not changes to duty, VAT, or excise rates. The amount you owe on your imported car — based on customs value, engine size, and age — is calculated exactly as before; what changes is how many steps and how much waiting it takes to actually get the car released once that amount is paid. Keep using our customs calculator to know your real numbers ahead of time.

What the numbers show

According to the State Customs Committee, more than 24,000 passenger vehicles were cleared through Azerbaijani customs between January and May 2026 alone: 14,960 gasoline, 6,815 hybrid, 2,526 diesel, and 482 fully electric. On top of that, 2,641 trucks, 723 truck tractors, and 590 trailers were also processed. The committee specifically noted that the share of hybrid and electric vehicles — considered more environmentally friendly — keeps growing year over year. Volume at this scale is exactly why speeding up procedures has become a priority; it's one of the clearest drivers behind the new rules.

What this actually means if you're buying from Copart or IAAI

• Border wait times could shrink. Removing the mandatory sequential-inspection requirement and introducing expedited release both point toward less time between your car arriving at the border and it actually being in your hands — though this isn't automatically guaranteed for every shipment; the specifics are still to be defined by the relevant executive bodies.
• The removal of the guarantee requirement won't apply to everyone. Reporting on the changes specifically says "in certain cases" — this is not a blanket rule that automatically applies to every individual importer, so treat it as a possibility to confirm rather than a given.
• Trade Facilitation Centers could genuinely help first-time importers. Consolidating operations that used to require visiting separate offices into one location should make the process easier to navigate, especially if this is your first car import.
• Checking the VIN before you bid still matters just as much. A faster procedure doesn't change the actual condition of the car — salvage history, flood damage, or a rolled-back odometer are still exactly what they were. Run the VIN through our VIN decoder tool before you commit to a bid.

Bottom line

The changes taking effect September 3, 2026 point to a real shift in how Azerbaijan's customs system operates: less paperwork, fewer mandatory steps, and centralized service points. For anyone importing a car from Copart or IAAI, that potentially means a faster, less stressful clearance process — but it does not change how much duty you'll actually owe. We'll keep watching this space as the implementation details firm up; in the meantime, the smartest move is still to check the car's VIN history before you buy and run your numbers through the customs calculator so there are no surprises at the border.