Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan Customs Contacts
Website: http://www.customs.gov.tm/index.php?n=150800
Email: customs@online.tm
Address: 744000 Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Arçabil şaýoly, 138
Telephone: (+993) 12 39-41-55
Fax: (+993) 12 39-42-42
Turkmenistan is a country situated in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran and the Caspian Sea. The country is an associate member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Economic Cooperation Organization, World Customs Organization and other international organizations.
Turkmenistan Customs Information
Technically, Turkmenistan does not levy tariffs except on imports by individuals. However, in practice, the excise tax system applies higher rates to imported goods than domestic, effectively putting an unspoken tariff in place. Additionally, certain domestic products are exempted from the value-added tax and, by special presidential decree, government regulatory agencies have the power to go into certain markets and determine the prices of domestically produced goods and the prices for which importers pay for foreign products. Certain imports from countries outside the rural area are prohibited or require a license.
Turkmenistan is not a member of any free trade agreements and is not a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States customs union. It has signed trilateral agreements with Iran and Ukraine, Iran and Armenia, Iran and Bangladesh, and Iran and the Philippines and is pursuing more such agreements. Turkmenistan has most-favored nation status with the United States and Austria.
Duties run from 10% to 100%, the average being 30%.
Import Tariffs
Turkmenistan does not apply tariffs per se on imported goods. However, in practice the Government of Turkmenistan levies customs duties and higher excise taxes on imports which are significant barriers to trade.
Turkmenistan’s value added tax is 15%.
Samples/Temporary Entry
Turkmenistan customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into Turkmenistan of items such as carpets, jewelry, musical instruments, pieces of art, archaeological artifacts, antiques, protected animals, etc
Standards
Turkmenistan uses National Standards of Turkmenistan (TDS) and General Interstate Standards (GOST). Turkmenistan’s national standards are developed to meet international standards. GOST standards have been developed by 12 FSU countries and incorporate former Soviet Union standards. Standards and metrology are governed by the Law on Standardization and Metrology of 1993 and a series of by-laws.
The Main State Inspectorate “Turkmenstandartlary” is the regulating agency in the area of standards and metrology and publishes national standards updates.
Document Requirements:
- Company Papers / Passport & Valid Visa
- Original Invoice
- Packing List in English or Russian
- Original BL
- Certificate Of Origin
Embargoes:
Weapons of all kinds. Pornography. Narcotics. Toxic material Radioactive material. Export of antiques, such as carpets, paintings, books, icons or any other items, which is considered to be of Turkmen cultural and historical value. Right hand cars.
Prohibited Items:
- Narcotics
- Pornography (please consider the term as used under the Islamic law)
- Counterfeit items
- Cultural artefacts and other objects of cultural importance
- Henna
- Palm tree and any products thereof
- Explosive material
General Restrictions:
- Live animals (health certificate required along with complete and valid inoculations)
- Endangered species and any products or parts thereof as outlined by CITES maybe be brought in only with CITES permission
- Medication
Sources:
http://dlca.logcluster.org/display/public/DLCA/4.2.1+Turkmenistan+Government+Contact+List
http://web.ita.doc.gov/tacgi/overseasnew.nsf/alldata/Turkmenistan
