Azerbaijan IT, Telecom and Data Centre Equipment Import Requirements
Azerbaijan’s strategic location, government support for foreign investments, and the rapidly growing digital economy make it a favourable import destination for IT, telecom, and data centre equipment.
However, if you have yet to establish a local presence, you need a locally registered importer of record like Blackthorne when importing into the country.
Let’s discuss the import requirements for technology equipment into Azerbaijan.
Import Requirements for IT Equipment into Azerbaijan
Here are the four main import requirements to fulfill when importing tech equipment into Azerbaijan:
1. Licensing and Permits
Various IT and telecommunication equipment require approval from the Ministry of Communications and High Technologies (MC) and the Information Technologies (IT).
The manufacturer and importer are required to provide the following for approval:
- Acceptable CE reports
- One manufacturer-provided sample for in-country testing
- A locally registered representative
2. Documentation Management
The state customs office requires the following documentation:
- Signed import contract
- Customs declaration
- Permissions from relevant state authorities
- Bill of lading
- Sales invoice/packing list
- Certificate of origin
- Product quality certificate
3. Duties and taxes
The standard VAT rate is 18%, calculated on the sum of customs value + duties + excise tax(if applicable), with a few exemptions:
- Entrepreneurs importing capital equipment for priority sectors may benefit from VAT exemption for up to seven years
- Residents importing industrial or technological equipment are VAT-exempt for 10 years
- Projects eligible for public-private partnerships benefit from VAT exemptions for the contractual period (up to 30 years)
Ad valorem customs duties range between 0%-15%, depending on the HS classification code of equipment.
4. Compliance with Local Regulations
All IT, telecom, and data centre equipment must be issued an AZS Certificate of Conformity to demonstrate compliance with Azerbaijani technical, quality, and safety standards.
Additional certification, such as a Radio or Telecommunication Certificate, may also be required for telecommunication equipment.
Import with an IOR
Use our online calculator to see how much it costs to ship to the USA with Blackthorne IT
Why an IOR is Essential when Importing IT equipment
An experienced importer of record plays three key roles:
- Payment of duties and taxes: Ensuring correct application of tariffs, duties, and tax exemptions to cut importation expenses while remaining compliant.
- Regulatory compliance: Managing import licensing, type approvals, and conformity assessments for compliance with regulations and quality standards.
- Entity representation: Acting legally responsible for customs clearance and local inspections.
Import into Azerbaijan with Blackthorne IOR
Blackthorne’s IOR in Azerbaijan eliminates the need to register a local presence by handling the following:
- Customs declarations, duties, and tax payments to facilitate timely customs clearance
- Licensing and approval procedures for compliance with international and local regulations
- Record keeping, regular compliance audits, and licensing management for post-compliance
Import into Azerbaijan with Blackthorne IOR Services
Call us today or email us at sales@blackthorneit.com to start importing IT equipment compliantly into Azerbaijan.
