Armenia WT/TPR/S/228 
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III. MEASURES AFFECTING MARKET ACCESS FOR GOODS 
(1) CUSTOMS PROCEDURES  
1. The State Revenue Committee (SRC) is responsible for, inter alia , tax revenue collection and 
customs administration.  The SRC was established in  August 2008, after the merger between the State 
Tax Service and the State Customs Committee, as  an independent government body that reports 
directly to the Prime Minister.  Armenia has been  a member of the World Customs Organization since 
1992.   
2. Armenia's customs regime is based on the Custom s Code of 1 January 2001, last amended in 
2008, and detailed customs import procedures are laid  down in Government Decree No. 236 of 2001.  
The Customs Code grants the SRC the authority to apply administrative fines, arrest suspects, and 
confiscate goods in cases of infringements of customs regulations.  Decisions by the SRC, as well as other action or inaction by customs authorities, may be appealed to the SRC or to the courts.  The 
SRC has powers to inspect and/or detain goods enteri ng Armenia or in transit if it suspects (generally 
as a result of a complaint) that the goods infri nge intellectual property rights or constitute illicit 
substances (Chapter V(6)). 
3. Under Armenian legislation, engaging in entr epreneurial activities, including foreign trade, 
without State registration is prohibited.  Natura l persons may import limited quantities of goods for 
personal use
1, but to sell those goods they must be registered as a sole entrepreneur.2  Thus, to import 
goods commercially, an importer must be a legal entity registered in the State Registry of Armenia, 
including a branch or an official representative of  a foreign company (Chapter V(1)).  Moreover, an 
importer must register with its local custom office by presenting its registration with the State 
Registry, tax identification number, and company charter.   
4. Customs clearance may be carried out by th e importer or by a licensed customs broker 
(agent);  the latter must be an Armenian national.3  All goods imported commercially must be 
declared to customs within ten days after arrival in the Armenian customs territory, and they remain 
under customs control during this period, although  not necessarily under physical control.  Customs 
clearance must be done at the customs office where the legal entity (i.e. the importer) is registered 
(see above), with the exception of goods entering via the Yerevan International Airport, in which case 
they must be cleared at the airport.   
5. In 2007, an amendment to the Customs Code introduced post-clearance controls, through 
which the SRC may review customs declarations submitted during the last three years.  The 
authorities noted that during 2008, when it was first applied, 60 post-clearance controls were carried 
out by the SRC, and that the assessment criteria depe nded on the risk profile of the imported good.   
6. During the review period, Armenia continue d to modernize its customs administration 
through the creation of a more effective tax co llection authority, the SRC (see above), and by 
improving its electronic system.  Though not yet compulsory, the on-line customs declaration system 
has been perceived as having helped to improve effi ciency and curb corruption.  Furthermore, the 
                                                      
1 The import procedures and maximum quantities applied to passengers entering Armenia are 
established in Government Resolutions No. 1,927 of 2003 and No. 707 of 2008. 
2 WTO document WT/ACC/ARM/23, 26 November 2002.   
3 Article 68 of the Customs Code. WT/TPR/S/228 Trade Policy Review 
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2008 upgrade of the customs' software system has simplified and expedited certain customs 
procedures related to valuation (see section (2) below).4   
7. The upgraded electronic system includes a traffic light (channel) system at the border.  Goods 
passing through the green channel cross the border w ithout any verification;  if the red channel is 
selected, the import is subject to documentary verifi cation and physical examination;  for the yellow 
channel, only documentary verification is necessary.  In 2008, the green channel was selected in 66% 
of all import declarations, the red and yellow channels each accounted for 17%.5  
8. The Customs Code establishes that imports of up to dram 50,000 (US$142) are directed to a 
customs express system, independently of their means of transport.  Imports of higher value must 
follow regular customs procedures.  Furthermore, th e authorities indicated that in 2009 a specialized 
customs house was established for goods imported via post or courier operators, regardless of their 
value.  
9. In accordance with its WTO accession commitment6, Armenia did not implement a 
preshipment inspection system during the review peri od, and the authorities stated that there were no 
plans to do so.    
10. According to studies by the World Bank, it took on average 24 days to complete the customs 
clearance process in 2008, a 35% decrease compared with 2005 (first year available).7  On the other 
hand, the number of documents needed to import goods into Armenia increased from six in 2005 to 
nine in 20088, and the cost of importing a container was higher than the average in Eastern Europe 
and Central Asia.  These three factors combined ranked Armenia in 143rd place out of 181 countries in 
good practice for trading across borders.  In 2009, the number of documents that must be presented at 
customs clearance was reduced to three:  cust om declaration; invoice; and the contract for 
international carriage of goods by road (CMR note).9    
(2) CUSTOMS VALUATION  
11. The SRC is responsible for applying the regula tions on customs valuation.  The regulations 
are set out in Articles 74 to 96 of Armenia' s Customs Code of 2001 and in Decree No. 2170 of 
5 December 2002.10 
12. In general terms, Armenia's regulations on cust oms valuation appear to be in line with the 
Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of GATT 1994 (the Customs Valuation Agreement or 
CVA), although, in 2003, the Government acknowledge d that more efforts were needed to improve 
the transparency with which those rules were implemented by customs authorities.11  During the 
review period, the Government sought to improve transparency by enhancing the customs electronic 
                                                      
4 Commission of the European Communities (2009). 
5 Information provided by the Armenian authorities. 
6 WTO document WT/ACC/ARM/23, 26 November 2002. 
7 World Bank (2006);  and World Bank and IFC (2009). 
8 The bill of landing;  certificate of  origin;  commercial invoice;  cust oms declaration;  customs transit 
document;  packing list;  terminal ha ndling receipt;  consignment note;  and technical standard or health 
certificate.  
9 Amendment to Ministerial Decree No. 1,779 of 2003, introduced in 2009.  A CMR note is equivalent 
to a "bill of lading". 
10 WTO document G/VAL/N/1/ARM/1, 6 August 2003. 
11 IMF (2003). Armenia WT/TPR/S/228 
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system and expediting the determination of customs value.  Nevertheless, it has been reported that 
there is still room for improvement in the implementation of the CVA.12 
13. Under-declaration of transaction value is a pers istent problem in Armenia.  The authorities 
indicate that this is why the use of transaction value has been low throughout the review period, 
although it is the authorities' preferred method of va luation.  Nevertheless, although an exact figure 
was not available, they stated that there had been  a significant increase in the use of transaction value 
when compared with 2003 when it was used in only 25% of cases.13  
14. In 2003 Armenia replied to the Checklist of  Issues relating to Article 22 of the CVA 
concerning the implementation and administration of the Agreement.14  Among other things, Armenia 
noted that, in accordance with Article 1.2(a) of th e CVA, Article 95 of its Customs Code grants the 
importer the right to demand a written explanation of the valuation decision and the method used by 
customs authorities, and requires a response within five working days of submission of the written 
request.  It also noted that importers have the right to appeal the decision to the superior customs bodies or to the court;  the superior customs body must make its decision regarding the appeal, and inform the applicant within one month.
15  In practice, the majority of the appeals brought forward by 
importers during 2003-08 related to  the rejection of the transaction value by customs authorities.16 
15. With reference to Article 1.2 of the CVA, Armenia noted that, under Paragraph (2)(d) of 
Article 87 of its Customs Code, the transaction pr ice is accepted between related persons as long as 
the relationship did not influence the price.17  Furthermore, an importer has the option of proving the 
relationship did not influence the price by the "cir cumstance of sale" or the "test value" methods.18   
16. In 2008, the Armenian Customs Code w as changed to allow an importer whose 
documentation is incomplete to use bank guarantees to cover the duties resulting from a disputed customs value.  In all cases, the bank guarantee mu st cover the 30-day period allowed to the superior 
customs authority to reach a final decision.  While importers may obtain bank guarantees directly from the banks, the authorities noted that they were  rarely used (15 cases in 2008), as the banks were 
reluctant to provide them.    
17. The exchange rate applied by the customs authorities is derived from the daily foreign 
exchange auctions held by the Central Bank of Ar menia (Chapter I).  These rates are published in the 
press and posted every day in accounting offices of the customs bodies.
19 
(3) RULES OF ORIGIN  
18. The rules of origin applied to all goods entering Armenia (i.e. non-preferential and 
preferential) have been notified to the WTO.20  The SRC is responsible for verifying certificates of 
origin and investigating the origin of goods without a certificate.  
                                                      
12 Commission of the European Communities (2009). 
13 IMF (2003);  and information provided by the authorities.   
14 WTO document G/VAL/N/2/ARM/1, 6 August 2003. 
15 Article 96 of Armenia's Customs Code. 
16 Information provided by the Armenian authorities. 
17 WTO document G/VAL/N/2/ARM/1, 6 August 2003. 
18 WTO document G/VAL/W/146, 7 April 2005. 
19 WTO document G/VAL/N/2/ARM/1, 6 August 2003. 
20 WTO document G/RO/N/41, 21 August 2003. WT/TPR/S/228 Trade Policy Review 
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19. For non-preferential trade, in cases where mo re than one country participates in the 
production of the goods, the two main criteria for determin ing origin are:  (a) a change in the first four 
digits of tariff classification;  or (b) a minimum value added corresponding to 30% of the final value 
of the good.  Article 160 of Armenia's Customs Code  defines the products that should be considered 
as wholly obtained in one country.  In accord ance with its WTO accession commitments, Armenia has 
amended Paragraph 2 of Ar ticle 167 of its Customs Code in order to bring it into compliance with the 
requirements of Article 2(h) and Annex II of the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin.21   
20. Although the legislation establishes that the absence  of a certificate of origin cannot be used 
as a basis to forbid the transporta tion of goods through customs border22, this rule is not applied in 
exceptional cases, such as when the imported good is subject to an emergency SPS measure. 
21. Armenia applies preferential rules of origin under all its trade ag reements that are in force:  
i.e. Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Re public, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, 
Turkmenistan, and Ukraine.23  In 2008, 7.1% of all import declarations presented a certificate of 
origin in order to benefit from preferential treatment under one of these agreements.24  
22. The rules of origin applicable for trade unde r these preferential agreements were established 
in the Decision on the Rules for the Determinati on of a Country of Origin of Goods, adopted on 
30 November 2000 by the Council of Heads of the CIS Governments.25  According to this decision, in 
order to receive preferential treatment the goods mu st be exported and imported by residents of the 
CIS signatory parties, which implies that foreig n-owned companies can be denied preferential 
treatment if they, or their subsidiaries, ar e not registered in the CIS free-trade area.26  A good is 
considered to be originating in a signatory party if it:  is wholly obtained in the Parties;  has 
undergone a change in tariff classification at the he ading level (four-digit);  or complies with the 
product-specific rules of origin included in the CIS decision.27    
23. Armenia's preferential rules of  origin allow for diagonal cumulation between CIS countries 
that ratified the CIS FTA.  Thus, all parts and mate rials originating in the CIS area are automatically 
considered originating if incorporated in a good imported into Armenia. 
(4) TARIFFS  
24. On 5 January 2009, Armenia deposited with th e Secretary General of the World Customs 
Organization its instrument of accession to the International Convention on the Harmonized 
Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System, HS).28 
                                                      
21 WTO document WT/ACC/ARM/23, 26 November 2002. 
22 Articles 165 and 168 of Armenia's Customs Code. 
23 WTO document G/RO/N/41, 21 August 2003. 
24 Information provided by the Armenian authorities. 
25 The Decision is available (in Armenian and Ru ssian) at Executive Committee of the Commonwealth 
of Independent States (CIS), online information.  Viewed at:  http://www.cis.minsk.by/main.aspx?uid=74. 
26 World Bank (2004). 
27 Most of the products in the list are under HS product groups:  02, 04, 05, 15, 22, 25, 27, 35, 38, 44, 
71, 84, 85, and 96. 
28 WCO Press Release, "The Republic of Armenia becomes the 136th Contracting Party to the 
Harmonized System Convention", 26 January 2009 . Viewed at:  http://www.wcoomd.org/press/ 
default.aspx?lid=1&id=172. Armenia WT/TPR/S/228 
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(i) MFN applied tariff 
25. The Armenian Customs Tariff applied in 2009 is based on the HS2007 classification.  Import 
duties are levied on the c.i.f. value of goods.  The 2009 MFN tariff schedule contains 5,864 lines at 
the eight-digit level, of which 0.5% are non- ad valorem  duties (Table III.1).  Armenia applies MFN 
tariffs to all WTO Members.  
Table III.1 
Structure of the tariff schedule, 2003 and 2009 
  2003 2009 Final bound 
1. Total number of tariff lines 5,842 5,864 5,864 
2. Non- ad valorem  tariffs (% of all tariff lines) 0.4 0.5 0.0 
3. Non- ad valorem  with no AVEs (% of all tariff lines) 0.4 0.5 0.0 
4. Tariff quotas (% of all tariff lines) 0.0 0.0 0.0 
5. Duty-free tariff lines (% of all tariff lines) 72.8 72.6 36.7 
6. Average tariff rate of dutiable lines (%) 9.9 9.8 13.5 
7 Simple average tariff rate (%) 2.7 2.7 8.5 
8. Bound tariff lines (% of all tariff lines) 100.0 100.0 100.0 
Note: Since ad valorem  equivalents could not be estimated, respectively 23 and 29 tariff lines  in 2003 and 2009 have been considered 
 as empty (no rate). 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations , based on data provided by the Armenian authorities. 
26. The structure of the 2009 MFN applied tariff is simple:  72.6% of all lines are duty-free;  
26.6% subject to a 10% tariff;  0.3% subject to a 6.5%  tariff;  and 0.5% subject to specific duties.  The 
6.5% tariff rate applies to 16 tariff lines corresponding to tubes, pipes, hoses, and fittings therefore of 
plastic (HS code:  3917).  Armenia's tariff struct ure does not have international tariff peaks (rates 
greater than 15%). 
27. Non- ad valorem  import tariffs apply to 19 lines cove ring alcoholic beverages and 10 lines 
covering tobacco products.  The authorities indicate that these import tariffs are calculated together with the corresponding VAT and excise tax (see secti on (5) below) and collected from the importer in 
a single payment, and, therefore, it is not possible to estimate ad valorem  equivalents (AVEs) of the 
import tariff.  Nevertheless, the authorities also indica te that as part of the Government's fiscal reform 
strategy, it planned to substitute all specific duties by ad valorem  rates in January 2011. 
28. Not including the tariff lines subject to specifi c duties, the global average applied MFN tariff 
remained constant over the review period at 2.7%  (Table III.1), and was one of the lowest among 
WTO Members.  The percentage of tariff lines that are duty-free and the average tariff rate of dutiable 
lines also remained constant.   
29. Tariffs contributed to only 6% of total tax re venue collection in 2008 and are, therefore, of 
minor importance to fiscal policy (Chapter I(3)).
29  
30. At 6.6%, the average tariff for agricultural products (WTO definition) is three times higher 
than for non-agricultural products (2.2%).  About  78.2% of the tariff lines for non-agricultural 
products are duty free, compared to 32.5% for agri cultural products (WTO definition).  The relatively 
high tariff protection granted to agricultural prod ucts was in place during the entire review period 
(Chapter VI(1)).   
                                                      
29 Information provided by the Armenian authorities. WT/TPR/S/228 Trade Policy Review 
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31. The activities (ISIC Rev.2 classification) with th e highest average tariff rates (i.e. with the 
lowest percentage of products subject to duty-fr ee rates) are those producing:  fishing products;  
manufactured foods (particularly soft drinks, coco a confectionary, canned fruits and vegetables, and 
meat, dairy, and fish products);  carpets and rugs ;  leather products and footwear;  furniture and 
fixtures, except of metal;  manufactured plastic products;  pottery and china;  structural clay products;  
electrical appliances;  and sporting goods (Table AIII.1).30  Some of these activities are also subject to 
technical regulations (see section (8) below).  
32. Armenia does not administer tariff quotas or any type of seasonal tariffs. 
33. Armenia's import tariff reveals noticeable, although not large, "v-shaped" escalation.  There is 
negative escalation between unprocessed and semi-pro cessed products (4.1% and 0.4% respectively), 
mainly due to relatively high protection of agricultu ral raw materials.  On the other hand, there is 
positive escalation between semi-proce ssed and fully processed products (average of 3.6% for fully 
processed products) (Table III.2).  The authorities indi cate that the structure of the tariff schedule was 
defined in the early 1990s, in part as the result of discussions regarding its industrialization policy at that time. 
Table III.2 
Summary analysis of MFN tariff, 2009  
Applied 2009 rates Bound rates Analysis No. of 
linesa No. of 
lines used
Simple avg. 
tariff (%) Range tariff 
(%) CV Simple avg. 
tariff (%) Imports 2008
(US$ million) 
Total 5,864 5,834 2.7 0-10 1.6 8.5 4,101.2b 
HS 01-24 741 712 7.8 0-10 0.5 14.9 745.1 
HS 25-97 5,123 5,122 2.0 0-10 2.0 7.6 3,353.1 
By WTO definitionc              
Agriculture 711 682 6.6 0-10 0.7 14.7 738.0 
Live animals and products thereof 93 93 7.5 0-10 0.6 14.9 103.2 
Dairy products 20 20 10.0 10 0.0 15.0 26.9 
Coffee and tea, cocoa, sugar, etc. 125 125 8.1 0-10 0.5 14.8 190.5 
Cut flowers and plants 34 34 5.3 0-10 1.0 15.0 6.1 
Fruit and vegetables 157 157 9.9 0-10 0.1 15.0 59.0 
Grains 16 16 0.0 0 n.a. 15.0 110.5 
Oil seeds, fats, oils, and their 
products 77 77 5.6 0-10 0.9 13.4 67.7 
Beverages and spirits 39 20 10.0 10 0.0 15.0 70.6 
Tobacco 17 7 1.4 0-10 2.6 15.0 86.2 
Other agricultural products 133 133 1.7 0-10 2.2 14.6 17.3 
Non-agriculture (incl. petroleum) 5,153 5,152 2.2 0-10 1.9 7.7 3,360.2 
Fish and fishery products 115 115 9.5 0-10 0.2 15.0 8.9 
Mineral products, precious stones, 
and precious metals 351 351 4.0 0-10 1.2 10.9 701.3 
Metals 620 620 0.2 0-10 7.4 5.2 401.2 
Chemicals and photographic 
supplies 909 909 0.4 0-10 4.8 0.4 393.6 
Leather, rubber, footwear, and 
travel goods 189 189 2.8 0-10 1.6 13.4 79.1 
Wood, pulp, paper, and furniture 278 278 1.3 0-10 2.6 3.2 200.2 
Table III.2 (cont'd)
                                                      
30 The Armenian authorities were not able to provide detailed information about the relative importance 
of these product groups to the country's overall production and employment levels. Armenia WT/TPR/S/228 
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Applied 2009 rates Bound rates Analysis No. of 
linesa No. of 
lines used
Simple avg. 
tariff (%) Range tariff 
(%) CV Simple avg. 
tariff (%) Imports 2008
(US$ million) 
Textiles and clothing 856 855 3.9 0-10 1. 2 10.9 163.3 
Transport equipment 146 146 2.7 0-10 1.7 9.2 289.5 
Non-electric machinery 725 725 0.3 0-10 5.3 9.3 382.7 
Electric machinery 456 456 3.2 0-10 1.5 9.4 269.2 
Non agricultural articles n.e.s. 503 503 3.8 0-10 1.3 10.2 101.9 
By ISIC sectord        
Agriculture, hunting, forestry, and 
fishing 299 299 5.4 0-10 0.9 13.9 206.4 
Mining 103 103 1.2 0-10 2.8 10.7 326.5 
Manufacturing 5,461 5,431 2.6 0-10 1.7 8.2 3,561.7 
By stage of processing        
Raw materials 643 642 4.1 0-10 1.2 12.3 688.6 
Semi-processed products 1,787 1,787 0.4 0-10 4.6 3.8 793.3 
Fully-processed products 3,434 3,405 3.6 0-10 1.3 10.3 2,616.4 
n.a. Not applicable. 
a Total number of lines is listed. Tariff rates are ba sed on a lower frequency (number of lines) since non- ad valorem  lines are 
excluded.  
b The total of imports is higher than the sum of sub-items, as certain imports, to the value of US$3.0 million are not classifi ed in 
the Harmonized System. 
c Five tariff lines of petroleum products are included. d International Standard Industrial Classification (Rev.2).   
Note: CV = coefficient of variation. 
Source : WTO Secretariat estimates, based on WTO IDB databa se;  imports data from UNS D, Comtrade database.  
(ii) Tariff bindings 
34. Armenia has bound its entire tariff schedule.  All tariff bindings are ad valorem , including the 
29 lines covering tobacco products and al coholic beverages, for which bound ad valorem  equivalent 
rates were calculated (at a rate of 15%).  In 20 09, the overall average bound rate was 8.5%, with rates 
ranging from 0% to 15%.  With the exception of the 29 tariff lines for which applied AVEs could not be calculated (see above), all other applied tari ffs are below their corresponding bound levels.  
(iii) Tariff concessions 
35. Article 104 of Armenia's Customs Code lists a ll goods that are exempt from the payment of 
duties, such as goods imported within the framework  of humanitarian aid or charity programmes and 
sample quantities of goods imported for exhibitions, international fa irs, and similar events.   
36. Armenia also grants tariff concessions on goods  in transit, goods temporarily imported, and 
imports intended for re-e xport (Chapter IV(4)). 
37. In addition, goods imported to supplement the charter capital of enterprises with foreign 
investments are exempt from the payment of tariffs.  The specific goods for which this rule applies are 
listed in Government Decree No. 720 of 7 August 2001.   If the goods are sold in the domestic market 
within three years of importation the importer must  pay the customs tariff, including the calculated 
penalty for delayed payment.
31     
                                                      
31 Article 15 of the Law on Foreign Investment of July 1994. WT/TPR/S/228 Trade Policy Review 
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(iv) Tariff preferences 
38. The provisions of the nine free-trade agreements (FTAs) in force with some of Armenia's CIS 
commercial partners (Chapter II(4)) are simp le with respect to tariff liberalization32:  there are no 
liberalization schedules and all goods, without exception, became duty free from the moment the 
respective FTAs entered into force.  In 2008, 31% of the total value of Armenia's imports came from 
these CIS partners (Chapter I(5)).  However, trade di version was much smaller than this figure would 
suggest given that 75% of this preferential tr ade would have been granted duty free treatment 
anyway.33  
(5) OTHER CHARGES AFFECTING IMPORTS  
(i) Charges applied exclusively to imports 
39. Besides tariffs, imports are subject to:  a cu stoms formalities fee of dram 3,500 (US$10);  and 
a customs inspection and recording fee of dram 1,000 (US$2.9) for each cargo weighing less than one ton and dram 300 (US$0.9) for each additional ton of  cargo.  Goods transported through pipelines and 
electricity cables are subject to a customs inspection fee of dram 500,000 (US$1,500).
34  W h e n  
customs formalities and/or inspections are carried out elsewhere than in places determined by the 
Customs Authorities or during non-working days, the customs fees are doubled.  Importers also have 
to pay dram 1,000 for each document (form) provided by the Customs Authorities. 
40. In addition, importers may incur other cust oms user fees depending on the services supplied 
by Customs, such as accompaniment of transit sh ipment and warehousing services.  The SRC is 
responsible for administering and collecting all customs fees.   
(ii) Indirect taxes 
41. With few exceptions (see below), all imports ar e subject to the payment of a VAT of 20%, 
and alcoholic beverages, tobacco pr oducts, and fuels are also subject to an excise tax.  In 2007 (latest 
year available), VAT collected represented half of to tal tax revenue or the equivalent of 7.9% of GDP, 
while VAT collected from imports represented 65% of to tal VAT collection.  In the same year, excise 
tax collected represented 1.3% of GDP, although the percentage collected from imports could not be 
calculated.35   
42. The SRC is responsible for administering and collecting all taxes applied to imports. 
43. According to the Law on VAT of 1997, as amended, and the Law on Excise Tax of 2000, as 
amended, the principle of destination prevails  in Armenia and MFN treatment is ensured. 
(a) VAT 
44. VAT is levied on all economic activities, incl uding the importation of goods and services, 
with the exception of those subject to simplified ta xation (i.e. companies with taxable turnover of less 
than dram 58.4 million (US$167,000) in a calendar year).  The taxable base is the value of good and 
                                                      
32 All CIS Members except for Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, with whom Armenia does not have a 
bilateral agreement. 
33 Calculations made by the WTO Secretariat. 
34 These rates are established in Armenia's Custom s Code, but vary in accordance with the average 
exchange rate for the last 12 months published by the Armenian Central Bank.  
35 National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia (2008). Armenia WT/TPR/S/228 
 Page 31 
 
 
services (usually the invoice amount) delivered, excluding VAT paid on purchases by the supplier, 
and it should include, if applicable, the value of the excise tax.  For imported goods, the taxable base is the sum of their customs value, customs duty, and an y excise tax levied at the time of importation.   
45. Armenia applies the credit method of levying VAT , that is, the VAT paid to suppliers is 
deducted from the VAT collected from customers.  VAT on imported goods is levied at the point of 
importation by customs officials and must be paid within ten days after importation.  For imported 
goods that have been previously exported from Armenia by VAT taxpayers for the purpose of 
processing or repair abroad, the taxable base is the value of processing and repair that has been paid 
or, when this is impossible to define, the differe nce between the customs value after processing and 
repair and the customs value declared at the time of export.
36 
46. The standard rate of VAT is 20% but several typ es of transactions are exempted or zero rated:  
exemption covers only the final transaction before consumption or export, while zero rating removes 
VAT paid at all stages.  Zero rating includes:  ex ported goods and services provided outside Armenia;  
goods in transit through Armenia;  and pro cessing and assembly of goods provided by foreign 
residents and exported.  Exemptions include:  e ducation services and material;  scientific research;  
chemicals and fertilizers used in agriculture;  insu rance, reinsurance and banking services;  sales of 
precious and semi-precious stones and products;  services imported for humanitarian and charitable 
purposes;  and maintenance of equipment used in  international transport (Chapter VI(4)(iv)).37  The 
legislation also establishes a list of products (in gene ral terms, goods subject to a tariff rate other than 
duty free) for which the importer is obliged to pa y the VAT during customs clearance, while for all 
other products VAT may be paid under th e same regime applied to domestic sales.38   
47. In order to comply with its WTO obligati ons, in January 2009 Armenia eliminated the 
discriminatory treatment that exempted domestic ag ricultural output sold by farmers and sales of 
domestic veterinary drugs from the payment of VAT.     
(b) Excise tax 
48. Excise tax is an indirect tax levied on do mestically produced and imported alcoholic 
beverages, tobacco products, petrol, and diesel fuels (T able III.3).  The tax rate varies according to the 
product and in most cases is defined as a specific rate.  For ad valorem  excise duties on goods 
produced in Armenia the tax it is based on the sales prices without VAT.  For ad valorem  excise 
duties on imported goods, the tax is calculated on the basis of their customs value without VAT and customs duties/tariffs.  Excise tax on imports must be  paid during customs clearance, and in practice 
(though not established in the Law) is calculated a nd paid together with the respective tariff and VAT 
(see section (4) above). 
Table III.3 
Excise tax rates, 2009 
HS No. Product description Taxable base Tax rate (dram)  
2203 Beer 1 litre 70 
2204 Wine of fresh grapes  1 litre 10%, but not less than dram 100/litre 
2205 Vermouth and other wine of  grapes flavoured with 
plants or aromatic extracts 1 litre 500 
Table III.3 (cont'd) 
                                                      
36 Article 8 of the Law on VAT. 
37 Armenian Development Agency  online information, "Value-Added Tax".  Viewed at:  
http://www.ada.am/html/value_added_tax__vat_.html. 
38 Law on approval list of goods imported that have zero customs duty rate of 29 June 2001. WT/TPR/S/228 Trade Policy Review 
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HS No. Product description Taxable base Tax rate (dram)  
2206 Other fermented beverages (e .g. cider, perry) 1 litre 180 
2207 Undernaturated ethyl alcohol  and alcoholic drinks with 
more or equal to 80% alcohol content 1 litre (by recalculation 
of 100% spirit) 600 
2208 Undernaturated ethyl alcohol  and alcoholic drinks with 
less than 80% alcohol content  1 litre 30%, but not less than dram 380/litre 
2403 Other manufactured tobacco  1 kilogram 1,500 
2709 Crude oil and oil products 1 tonne 27,000 
2711 Oil-gas and other carbohydrat e gases (except for natural 
gas, HS 2711.11/21) 1 tonne 1,000 
Note The average exchange rate for the first half of 2009 was dram 1 = US$350. 
Source: Armenian Law on Excise Tax of 2000. 
(6) IMPORT PROHIBITIONS , RESTRICTIONS , AND LICENSING  
49. Armenia notified the WTO that it did not mainta in quantitative restrictions during the period 
under review.39   
50. Armenia maintains import prohibitions on a lim ited number of products for health, security, 
or environmental reasons, on:  all kinds of weapons  and ammunition;  explosives;  army equipment 
and components;  narcotics and psychotropic subs tances;  and pornography.  In addition, Armenia 
prohibits the importation as well as the transit thro ugh Armenian territory of any nuclear material, 
nuclear-related equipment or subs tances emitting ionizing radiation.40   
51. Armenia notified to the WTO its Law on Licensing of 30 May 2001, which established 
general licensing provisions, including  those applied to imported goods.41  Armenia also notified 
Government Decree No. 2012 of 14 November 2002 on Making Amendments to the Government 
Decree No. 581 of 20 September 2000, and Public Services Regulatory Commission Decree No. 24 of 
3 April 2002 on Approval of the Temporary Order of the Licensing for Import and Export of Natural 
Gas and Electrical Energy in the Power Engineering Sector.42   
52. Under Armenia's 2001 Law on Licensing, there are two types of licences:  simple and 
compound (i.e. automatic and non-automatic). The simple  licence should be issued by the Ministry of 
Economy within three days of submission of a re quest, and does not require the approval of the 
licensing commission.  The compound licence, on the other hand, may be issued up to 30 days after 
submission and may only be issued on the basis of the conclusions drawn by a licensing commission.  
A list of activities subject to licensing is provided in Chapter VII of the Law.  Various government 
agencies are responsible for issuing the different types of licences. 
53. During the period under review, Armenia eliminated import licensing requirements on 
radio-electronic devices within the frequency ra nge above 9 KHz and below 400 GHz, as well as 
requirements applied to impor ts of medicines and herbs.43  Furthermore, Armenia notified the 
requirement (from 2002) of a licence to import botan ical collections, wild animals, and zoological 
                                                      
39 WTO documents G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.11, 11 April 2008;  and G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.10, 
28 March 2006. 
40 Government Decree No. 902 of 31 December 2000. 
41 WTO document G/LIC/N/3/ARM/2, 27 September 2005. 
42 WTO documents G/LIC/N/1/ARM/1, 7 November 2003;  and G/LIC/N/1/ARM/3, 
5 September 2007.  
43 WTO documents G/LIC/N/1/ARM/2, 12 February 2007;  and G/LIC/N/1/ARM/4, 
24 September 2007. Armenia WT/TPR/S/228 
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collections.44  In October 2008, Armenia replied to th e questionnaire on import licensing procedures 
stating that it applied non-automatic licensing pro cedures on imports of natural gas and electricity, 
and automatic licensing on imports of fireworks and diamonds.45         
(7) CONTINGENCY MEASURES  
54. The Department of Trade and Effective Markets, of the Ministry of Economy (ME)46 is 
responsible for initiating and conducting inves tigations with respect to anti-dumping (AD), 
countervailing (CV), and safeguard measures.47  Moreover, the ME is responsible for proposing to the 
Government the application of provisional and fina l duties/safeguards, and for publicizing the rules on 
unfair trade practices.   
(i) Anti-dumping and countervailing measures 
55. Armenia notified the WTO that it did not adopt AD or CV duty actions during the period 
under review.48  The authorities indicated th at informal complaints were made during the review 
period, but none resulted in an investigation.     
56. The Law on Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Measures of 19 June 2002, defines dumping, 
subsidies, and the rules for the implementation of AD and CV duties.49  In addition, Armenia adopted 
Decree No. 1770-N on "the approval of the order on receiving necessary information for 
determination of normal value of  a product" of 30 November 2006.50  The Committees on 
Anti-Dumping Practices and on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures have examined the 
2002 Law;  two Members posed questions, to which Armenia provided written replies.51  At the end 
of 2009, these Committees had not yet examined Decree No. 1770-N. 
57. In its replies to the questions posed by Me mbers in the WTO Committees, Armenia asserted 
that it applies the lesser duty rule and that Armeni an legislation does not provide for the payment of 
interest on a security disbursement ref unded after a negative final determination.52  Armenia also 
clarified that under the 2002 Law, the provisions of AD, but not those on CV, apply to agricultural products.
53   
58. Article 2.2 of the Law on AD and CV measures determines that provisions stipulated in 
international agreements take precedence over tho se established in the law.  Furthermore, any 
interested party may seek review of final determin ations, interim reviews, and refund determinations 
taken by the ME to the Courts of Armenia, as provided for in other Armenian legislation. 
59. An affected domestic industry may request the initiation of an administrative subsidy or 
dumping investigation only if it has the support of domestic producers accounting for at least 25% of 
total production of the product under investigation.  The ME may initiate an investigation ex officio . 
                                                      
44 WTO Document G/LIC/N/3/ARM/1, 11 December 2003. 
45 WTO document G/LIC/N/3/ARM/5, 3 October 2008. 
46 The Ministry of Trade and Economic Development was renamed Ministry of Economy in 2008.   
47 WTO document G/ADP/N/14/Add.27, 28 April 2009.   
48 Various semi-annual reports of the Committees on Anti-dumping Practices and on Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures. 
49 WTO document G/ADP/N/1/ARM/1, 30 July 2003. 
50 WTO document G/ADP/N/1/ARM/1/Suppl.1, 1 February 2007. 
51 WTO documents G/ADP/Q1/ARM/3, 27 February 2004;  and G/ADP/Q1/ARM/4, 17 June 2004. 
52 WTO documents G/ADP/Q1/ARM/3, 27 February 2004;  and G/ADP/Q1/ARM/4, 17 June 2004. 
53 The text of line of Article 1 of the law should read:  the provisions of the Law on Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures are not applied to agriculture. WT/TPR/S/228 Trade Policy Review 
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60. Article 63 of the law prohibits the simultaneous  application of an AD measure and a CV 
measure to compensate for the same situation of dumping and subsidization.  However, there are no 
provisions in Armenian legislation against a saf eguard and an AD or CV measure being applied 
simultaneously to the same product. 
61. Article 11 of the law establishes special provisions for cases where the exporting country 
involved in the investigation is a non-market economy.   
(ii) Safeguard measures 
62. Armenia has not taken any safeguard action since its accession to the WTO in 2003.  The 
authorities indicated that they received no formal co mplaints and that no inv estigations were initiated 
during the review period.    
63. The legal basis for Armenia's application of safeguard measures is set out in the Law on 
Protection of Domestic Market of 18 April 2001.54  The Committee on Safeguards examined the law 
and only one Member submitted questions , which Armenia answered directly.55   
64. The 2001 Law states that a safeguard measure may only be applied if it is determined that the 
investigated product is imported in such increased quantities and conditions that cause or threaten to 
cause serious injury to the domestic industry.  Safeguard measures may involve the imposition of:  
tariff increases;  tariff quotas;  quantitative restricti ons;  or any combination of the three measures.  
65. Safeguard measures may have a maximum duration of four years, which may be extended for 
a further period of four years.  However, measures with duration of more than one year must be liberalized progressively as provided for in the legislation.  
66. The domestic producers or their representative, provided they account for more than half of 
the total production of like or directly competitiv e products under investigation, are entitled to request 
the initiation of an investigation.  The ME may also initiate an investigation ex officio . 
67. Provisional safeguard measures may be app lied for a maximum of 180 days.  If after 
investigation, the ME concludes that increased im ports do not cause serious injury to the domestic 
industry, the excess duties paid during the applica tion of the provisional measure must be refunded 
within three months of the decision. 
68. There are no provisions relating to safeguard measures within the framework of Armenia's 
free-trade agreements.   
(8) T
ECHNICAL REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS  
69. Issues related to technical regulations and standards are the responsibility of different 
governmental bodies within the Ministry of Economy (ME).  Armenia notified the WTO that the 
Department of Standardization, Metrology and Co nformity Assessment of the ME had accepted the 
Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption, and Application of Standards in July 2003.56  
The National Institute of Standards (SARM), a closed joint stock company under the ME, is 
Armenia's TBT enquiry point.57  Among other things, the SARM coordinates the activities of 
                                                      
54 WTO document G/SG/N/1/ARM/1, 8 August 2003. 
55 WTO documents G/ADP/Q1/ARM/3, 27 February 2004;  and G/ADP/Q1/ARM/4, 17 June 2004. 
56 WTO document G/TBT/CS/2/Rev.15, 2 March 2009. 
57 WTO document G/TBT/ENQ/35/Rev.2, 13 May 2009. Armenia WT/TPR/S/228 
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standardization technical committees in Armenia.  The ME also overlooks the work of the National 
Institute of Metrology, the Quality Inspectorate, and the Accreditation Agency. 
70. The WTO Notification Agency under the ME is  responsible for complying with Armenia's 
notification obligations under the TBT Agreement (Cha pter II).  Under Armenian legislation, various 
ministries may prepare and adopt a technical regulation. 
71. Although Armenia has not yet signed the voluntary memorandum of understanding with 
ASTM International, it has been a member of th e International Standardization Organization (ISO) 
since 1997. 
72. In 2006, Armenia submitted a notification on its technical assistance needs with respect to the 
TBT Agreement.58  In the same year, the World Bank organized training seminars in Armenia to 
discuss TBT issues, and since then representatives of the Armenian Government have participated in 
several WTO courses on the subject. 
73. Armenia has notified its main legislation regul ating its national metrology, standardization, 
and conformity assessment systems.59  The Law on Ensuring Uniformity of Measurement, adopted on 
26 May 2004, regulates the relationship between gove rnmental bodies and private enterprises, and 
defines the processes of metrological testing and calibration.  The Law on Standardization, as 
modified by the Law on making Additions and Ame ndments to the Law on Standardization adopted 
on 26 May 2004, regulates the principles of developm ent and application of technical regulations and 
normative documents on standardization.  According to  the authorities, together with Decree No. 9 of 
11 January 2000 on Preparation, Adoption and App lication of Technical Regulations, the Law on 
Standardization defines standards and technical regulations in compliance with the respective 
definitions in Annex 1 to the TBT Agreement.  The Law on Conformity Assessment, adopted on 
26 May 2004, defines the legal basis and procedur es of licensing of those who participate in the 
process of conformity assessment.60 
74. Armenia notified the WTO that, in 1996, it conc luded an agreement on mutual recognition of 
certificates and cooperation in the sphere of sta ndardization, metrology, and certification with 
Ukraine.61  Armenia also signed similar agreements with Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, 
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Russian Fe deration, and Tajikistan.  In addition, Armenia 
has simple cooperation agreements on issues relate d to standards and technical regulations with 
China, India, and Slovakia.   
75. As in other trade policy areas, Armenia is wo rking closely with the European Commission to 
bring its regulatory and standards' systems into conf ormity with the EU system.  In 2007, for example, 
Armenia became a member of the European Comm ittee for Standardization.  According to the 
European Commission, Armenia has made significant  progress in the last few years with respect to 
the harmonization of TBT legislation, however more  needs to be done to improve the quality of 
training and of TBT-related infrastructure.62  
76. According to Government Decree No. 9 on  Development and Adoption of Technical 
Regulations of May 2000, international standards s hould be used as the basis for the preparation of 
                                                      
58 WTO document G/TBT/TA-2/ARM, 20 January 2006. 
59 WTO document G/TBT/2/Add.75/Rev.1, 10 August 2004. 
60 The Law is available (in Armenian) at SARM online information.  Viewed at:  
http://www.sarm.am/en/act_of_the_law/orenqner. 
61 WTO document G/TBT/10.7/N/60, 26 September 2008. 
62 Commission of the European Communities (2009). WT/TPR/S/228 Trade Policy Review 
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technical regulations, taking into account geographi cal, climate, and technological differences.  
Technical regulations should establish product cons umptive characteristics a nd requirements rather 
than structural (design), technological or operational principles.  When the content of a technical regulation is not in accordance with the relevant in ternational standard (or if the standard does not 
exist), and if the developed technical regulation can have an impact on trade, the ME must:  publish a 
notice in the Official Bulletin , notify the drafted technical regulation to WTO Members, and allow no 
less than 60 days for comments.  However, if the technical regulation deals with urgent matters of 
consumer safety, environmental protection or na tional security, the decree allows the ME to omit 
these steps and notify the WTO of the adoption of an urgent technical regulation;  in any case, 
comments from WTO Members must be taken into consideration. 
77. Decree No. 9 also establishes the mechanisms to  review and eliminate technical regulations 
that no longer serve their initial purpose.  In 2009,  some ten technical re gulations were amended.
63  
78. Since its accession in 2003, Armenia has notified 70 technical regulations to the WTO, of 
which 67 are still in force;  the vast ma jority (60) are available in English.64  Armenia allowed on 
average 43 days for comments from other WTO Members, and respected the six-month period 
between publication and entry to force for at least half of the notifications.  The products mainly 
affected by these notified measures were foodstu ffs, electrical equipment, detergents, cement, 
tobacco, and fuels.  Armenia did not adopt urgent measures during the review period.    
79. Under Decree No. 9 of 2000, the Ministries author ized to adopt technical regulations are also 
authorized to consider technical regulations from ot her trading partners as equivalent if they do not 
contravene Armenian legislation.  In practice, no foreign technical regulations have been accepted as 
equivalent.   
80. The Testing Laboratory of the SARM carries out tests with the purpose of attestation, if 
requested by private persons or if ordered by p ublic bodies.  In addition, there are 64 accredited 
testing laboratories in Armenia.65  Government Decree No. 1170-N on "Attestation schemes used for 
obligatory certification of products or services" of  August 2004 establishes the criteria for selecting 
procedures laboratories should adopt in each case.   
81. Product certification can be compulsory or voluntary.  The Law on Conformity Assessment 
provides that compulsory assessment should be impl emented in accordance with the requirements of 
specific technical regulations.  Compulsory certifica tion activities are coordinated by the Ministry of 
Economy, which is responsible for accrediting certification bodies.  Certification is conducted by 
the 19 accredited certification bodies.  One of these certification bodies is the SARM, which was 
accredited as a product, services, quality, and enviro nmental management systems certification body, 
and is allowed to carry out rela ted conformity assessment activities.66  Sampling is the procedure most 
used by certification bodies.  
82. Decree No. 976 on the Mandatory Conformity  Assessment of Products and Services of 
29 August 2008, which replaced Decree No. 239 of July 2004, lists the products subject to 
compulsory conformity assessment and defines their respective requirements.  The number of 
                                                      
63 Information provided by the Armenian authorities. 
64 National Institute of Standards online information, "Technical Regulations".  Viewed at:  
http://www.sarm.am/?go=commodities. 
65 Ministry of Economy online information, "The List of Accredited Testing Laboratories of the 
Republic of Armenia" .  Viewed at:  http://www.mineconomy.am/files/docs/2_en.pdf. 
66 Ministry of Economy online information, "Standardization, Metrology, Conformity Assessment".  
Viewed at:  http://www.mineconomy.am/en/23/. Armenia WT/TPR/S/228 
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products was reduced from 65 in 2003 to 17 in 2009;  the list includes fish and fish products, 
vegetable oils, bread and bakery products, toys, radi o equipment, and firearms.  Certificates are issued 
based on sample testing, analysis of production systems, quality system certification, or supplier declaration depending on the specific certification.  Mandatory certification procedures, as well as 
fees imposed, are the same for imported and domestically produced goods. 
83. In the specific case of pharmaceutical produc ts, both domestic and foreign firms require 
import permission from the Ministry of Health, wh ich must be preceded by an application for a 
licence to perform pharmaceutical activities in general.  The cost of obtaining the import permission is dram 20,500 (some US$59) and of the licence is dram 200,000 (US$570).  According to the 
authorities, the procedure of granting import permission is not discretionary and is aimed at verifying 
the compliance of the medicines with technical regula tions, as well as their quality;  decisions must be 
made within ten days of receipt of an applicati on.  Permission to import is not transferable among 
importers.
67  Imported pharmaceutical products, like domestic medicines, must  be registered with the 
Ministry of Health;  veterinary vaccines and ser ums must be registered with the Ministry of 
Agriculture.68   
84. The provisions of the Law on Conformity Assess ment of 2004 on first- and second-party 
assessments and on market surveillance are not very  clear nor detailed, and could therefore be 
improved in a future legislature review.   
85. In accordance with the Law on Standardization of 2004, Armenian national standards are 
voluntary.  A quarterly Standard's Guide  and annually Catalogue on Standards and Certifications  are 
published by SARM.69  Standards are adopted by consensus among the interested parties (i.e. SARM, 
certification bodies, industry representatives, and NGOs), all of which receive a copy of the draft standard and are given time for comments and suggestions. 
(9) S
ANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES  
86. In January 2005, the GOST system of standards and sanitary and phytosanitary regulations 
used in the Soviet Union was de jure  abolished in Armenia.  It is now progressively bringing its 
sanitary and phytosanitary standards into converg ence with the EU.  Armenia adopted the Law on 
Veterinary Practice in October 2005, the Law on Food Safety in November 2006, the Law on Plant 
Protection and Plant Quarantine in November 2006 (renamed as the Law on Phytosanitary in May 2009) (Table III.4).  The Ministry of Agricultur e is responsible for food safety, the veterinary 
state inspectorate
70, and phytosanitary issues.   
87. Armenia became a member of the CODEX Al imentarius Commission in 1994;  it has 
established a local contact point in the Ministry  of Agriculture, but not a CODEX Alimentarius 
National Commission.71  Since 2007, the contact point for the CODEX Alimentarius has been the 
responsibility of the International A ffairs and Marketing Department of the Ministry of Agriculture.   
This Department is responsible for coordina ting the activities of the CODEX Alimentarius 
Commission at the national level and for co-opera tion with other public agencies with responsibility 
for food safety, such as the Ministry of Health.  The Strategy for Sustainable Development of the 
                                                      
67 WTO document WT/ACC/ARM/23, 26 November 2002.   
68 Scientific Centre of Drug and Medical Technology Expertise online information, "Medicines 
Registration".  Viewed at:  http://www.pharm.am/jurdocs_list2.php?pg=13&id=5&langid=2. 
69 WTO document G/TBT/2/Add.75/Rev.1, 10 August 2004. 
70 Commission of the European Communities (2008).  
71 CODEX Alimentarius online information, "Membership of the Commission" .  Viewed at:  
http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/m embers.jsp?lang=EN [August 2009]. WT/TPR/S/228 Trade Policy Review 
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Agriculture Sector (approved by Resolution No . 682-N in November 2006), states that CODEX 
should be the basis for further development of nationa l norms and standards related to food safety.  In 
addition, the authorities stated that, in the absence  of a national measure, Armenia uses measures that 
conform to standards, recommendations and/or guidelines of the responsible international 
organization. 
Table III.4 
Legislation and institutions for SPS, 2009 
Legislation Date of legislat ion Responsible institutions 
Agreement on co-operation between CIS members on 
veterinary issues. July 1994 Ministry of Agriculture 
Law on Food Safety November 2006 Ministry of  Agriculture implements state control 
over food safety issues related to enforcement of veterinary and plant quarantine norms 
Ministry of Health is responsible for sanitary 
norms and hygiene rules 
Law on ensuring sanitary and epidemiological safety 
of the population November 1992 Hygienic and Epid emiological Inspectorate of 
the Ministry of Health 
Law on Veterinary Medicine October 1999 Cattle Breeding Inspectorate of the Ministry of 
Agriculture 
Law on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine (renamed as the Law on Phytosanitary) November 2006 
(May 2009) Plant Quarantine and Farming Inspectorate of 
the Ministry of Agriculture 
Law on Standardizati on November 1999 and 
amendments of May 2004 Ministry of Trade and Development 
Law on Veterinary Practice October 2005  Ministry of Agriculture 
Resolution No. 59-N:  numbering and registering 
livestock and farm animals January 2004 Ministry of Agriculture 
Resolution No. 426-N:  implementation of veterinary 
sanitary testing of meat  and production from the 
slaughter of animals March 2004 Ministry of Agriculture 
Resolution No. 1228-N:  state veterinary control 
during international and inte r-state transportation of 
veterinary consignment August 2004 Ministry of Agriculture 
Source:    European Commission;  World Bank;  and in formation provided by the Armenian authorities. 
88. Armenia became party to the Internati onal Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) in 
June 2006.72  It is also a member of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization 
(EPPO).  Armenia became a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in 1997.73 
89. The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for all aspects of food safety in the import and 
export of foodstuffs except for transport and hygi ene, which are under the Ministry of Health.  
Although imports of food do not require licences, a ll imported food must be sampled and tested in 
laboratories before importation is permitted.  
90. Imports of plants and plant materials must be  accompanied by phytosanitary certificates from 
the country of origin.  Clearance at the border is only provisional:  imported plant materials must then 
be taken to an authorized customs clearing site n ear Yerevan for final insp ection and sampling before 
full clearance is given.  Planting breeding material  requires a further inspection and approval from the 
Ministry of Agriculture.  
                                                      
72 FAO online information, "International Plant Protection Convention" .  Viewed at:   
http://www.fao.org/Legal/TREAT IES/004s-e.htm [August 2009] 
73 World Organisation for Animal Health online information, "OIE Members" .  Viewed at:  
http://www.oie.int/eng/OIE/PM/en_PM.htm?e1d1#ARMENIA [August 2009]. Armenia WT/TPR/S/228 
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91. All imports of animals require veterinary certif icates from the Ministry of Agriculture.  This 
certificate requires a corresponding certificate from an  officially recognized veterinarian in the 
exporting country showing that the animal complie s with Armenian requirements for vaccinations, 
absence of parasites, and comes from an area re cognized by the OIE as free of pests and diseases 
listed in Armenian legislation.  Imports  are subject to sampling and testing. 
92. In 2005, budget funds were provided for th e construction of three combined border 
checkpoints and basic laboratory equipment for th e Plant Quarantine and Farming and Veterinary 
State Inspectorates.  However, lack of resources poses a severe problem for the SPS regime, not only 
for imports but also internally.74  
93. In the WTO, Armenia has submitted 24 notifications to the SPS Committee:  22 regular 
notifications;  and 2 emergency no tifications (both relating to avia n influenza).  Of the regular 
notifications, four specifically provided 60 days for comments and ten notified measures already in 
force on the date the notification was circulated.   
 
 
                                                      
74 World Bank (2007), paragraph 3.52.