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Customs Code of the Azerbaijan Republic

(Adopted by the Law of Azerbaijan Republic of June 10, 1997, ¹ 311-IQ)

This Code determines legal, economic and organisation aspects of customs business and is intended for protection of economic security, economic sovereignty and interests of the Azerbaijan Republic, expansion of economic relations of the Azerbaijan Republic with the world economy, protection of rights of economic subjects, physical persons and public bodies and implementation of their obligations in the area of customs business. (6)

Section I. General

Chapter 1. Customs business and customs policy in the Azerbaijan Republic

Article 1. Customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic

Customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic constitutes procedure and conditions of clearance of commodities and transport means through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, withdrawal of customs duties, customs clearing, customs control and other means of implementation of customs policy.

Article 2. Customs policy of the Azerbaijan Republic

Single customs policy which is an integral part of internal and foreign policy of the state is implemented in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Objectives of customs policy of the Azerbaijan Republic are the following:

  • provide most efficient use of mechanisms of customs control and monitoring of exchange of commodities on the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, protection of domestic market of the Azerbaijan Republic;
  • encourage development of national economy;
  • promote implementation of responsibilities under the state economic policy of the Azerbaijan Republic;
  • other objectives defined in compliance with Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic, this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Customs policy of the Azerbaijan Republic is aimed to development of international co-operation in the area of customs business. Customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic develops in harmony and unification with generally accepted world practice and standards.

Article 3. Customs territory and customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic

Customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic consists of dry land of the Azerbaijan Republic, interior waters, Azerbaijanian sector of Caspian sea, including islands situated there, artificial islands, hydrotechnical structures and buildings and air space over this sector.

Free customs zones and free warehouses may exist on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic. Territories of free customs zones and free warehouses are regarded as existing outside the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, except cases specified in this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic on customs business.

Borders of customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic and perimeters of free customs zones and free warehouses form customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 4. Customs business and international economic integration

In the interests of development and strengthening of international economic integration, Azerbaijan Republic forms customs unions with other countries, establishes free economic zones, concludes agreements on customs business in accordance with norms of international legislation.

Article 5. Customs legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic

Customs legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic consists of this Code, Law of the Azerbaijan Republic «On customs tariff» and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 6. Role of international agreements in implementation of customs business

If provisions of international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic differ from provisions of this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic on customs business, the former shall apply.

Chapter 2. Organisation of customs business

Article 7. Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic

Customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic is implemented under supervision of customs authorities being an integral part of a single system of protection of law and order.

Regulations on the executive power body which controls customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic are approved by relevant executive power authorities. Authorities, directly implementing customs business, act in compliance with regulations approved by the executive power body in control over the customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Identification of a single system of customs authorities in the Azerbaijan Republic, establishment, re-organisation and liquidation of customs authorities is carried out by relevant executive power authority.

No governmental bodies shall have the right to take decisions interfering with the competence of customs authorities, implement or change their functions, assign additional tasks thereon, or in some other way interfere with activity of said authorities which comply with provisions of this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic, except cases specified in legislation.

Article 8. Customs laboratories, scientific-research organisations and training centres, other institutions and organisations of executive power body in control over the customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic

Executive power body which supervises customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic:

  • establishes laboratories for implementation of expertise and investigation of commodities in the interests of customs business;
  • establishes scientific-research institutions, educational centres for vocational training, computer centres, printing, construction-maintenance enterprises and other organisations with the objective of scientific-research studies in the area of business activity, personnel training and improvement of their qualification, finally aimed to successful activity of customs bodies;
  • property of customs bodies, customs laboratories, scientific-research institutions and educational centres, enterprises and organisations is public property;
  • ownership rights on control over this property shall be implemented by executive power authority which is supervising customs business.

Article 9. Normative acts of executive power authorities supervising customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic

In cases envisaged in this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic, executive power authorities, supervising customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, within the limits of their authority accept normative acts which shall be compulsory for execution by customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, all other state bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, enterprises and organisations, irrespective of their subordinance and organisation-legal status, and also by executives and citizens. Said normative acts are registered as required by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Normative acts of general character accepted by the executive power authority, supervising customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, shall come into force in ten days after publication, if not specified otherwise in the acts themselves.

Article 10. Major functions of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic carry out the following major functions:

1. participate in development of customs policy of the customs authorities in the Azerbaijan Republic and implementation of this policy;

2. provide observance of legislative acts which are under control of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic; take measures on protection of rights and interests of enterprises, companies, organisations and citizens, and also businessmen involved in customs business;

3. within the limits of their competence provide economic security of the Azerbaijan Republic;

4. protect economic interests of the Azerbaijan Republic;

5. use mechanism of customs control over trade-economic relations;

6. withdraw customs duties, taxes and other customs charges;

7. take part in development of measures of economic policy with respect to commodities cleared through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, implement these measures;

8. provide observance of clearance procedures for commodities and transport means through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic;

9. fighting with crime in the area of customs business, violations of customs regulations and tax legislation, prevent illegal transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic of narcotic substances, weapons, articles of artistic, historical and archaeological wealth of the Azerbaijan people and other countries, objects of intellectual property, animals and plants under threat of disappearance, other commodities; assist in measures against the international terrorism and illegal interference in activity of international civil aviation in the airports of the Azerbaijan Republic;

10. implement and improve customs control and customs clearance, create conditions promoting turnover of commodities through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic;

11. keep customs statistics of foreign-economic activity and special customs statistics of the Azerbaijan Republic;

12. keep nomenclature of commodities in foreign-economic activity;

13. assist in development of foreign-economic relations of enterprises, companies, organisations and physical persons;

14. participate in implementation of measures on protection of state security, public order, people’ morals, life and health of people, protection of animals and plants, environment, protection of interests of Azerbaijanian consumers of imported commodities;

15. carry out currency control over delivery of national and foreign currency and also other currency resources through the customs border of Azerbaijan Republic by the resident and non-resident according to respective legislation, and also in other cases, stipulated by this Code;

16. provide implementation of international obligations of the Azerbaijan Republic with respect to customs business; participate in development of international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic involving issues of customs business; co-operate with customs and other competent authorities of foreign countries, international organisations participating in customs business;

17. carry out scientific-research works and consulting in the area of customs business; training and improvement of qualification of specialists in this area for state bodies, enterprises, companies and organisations;

18. supply Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic, President of the Azerbaijan Republic and Government of the Azerbaijan Republic, other state authorities, enterprises, companies, organisations and citizens with information on customs issues;

19. participate in implementation of integral financial-economic policy, development of material capabilities of customs authorities, create required labour and social conditions for the customs personnel. (10)

Article 11. Flag and symbols of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and sea and river vessels in their possession have flag. Road transport means and air-crafts belonging to the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic have symbols on them.

Description of the flag and symbols are approved by Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 12. Co-operation of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic with other state authorities, enterprises, companies, organisations and citizens

In order to carry on efficiently customs business, customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic co-operate with other bodies protecting law and order, state authorities, enterprises, companies, organisations and citizens.

State bodies and their executives shall assist customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in implementation of their tasks, by creation of required conditions.

In accordance with legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic are authorised, when implementing individual tasks, to enlist services of other enterprises, companies and organisations.

Article 13. Provision of office accommodation and amenity rooms, equipment and communication means to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic

Enterprises, companies, organisations and physical persons interested to carry out customs clearing on their territories or in their premises, rather than at location of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic shall provide necessary office accommodation and amenity rooms, equipment and communication means free to these authorities.

Article 14. Allocation of land plots to customs authorities

When it is required to locate customs authorities, they are given land plots in compliance with the Land Code of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 15. Appeal against decisions, acts or inactivity of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executives

Appeal against decision, act or inactivity of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executive might be lodged in an order established by legislation. (11)

Article 16. Information provided to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic for customs business

Information on customs business, provided to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic by state bodies, enterprises, organisations and physical persons under this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic, might be used only for customs activity.

Information constituting state, commercial, bank or other secret protected by the law, and also confidential information must not be disclosed, used by executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic with personal purposes, passed to third persons, except cases envisaged by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 17. Basic concepts used in this Code

The following terms and expressions in this Code shall mean the following:

1) commodities — any movable assets, including currency, currency valuables, electric power and other kinds of power, means of transportation except those specified in paragraph 4 of this article;

2) Azerbaijanian commodities — commodities with the origin in the Azerbaijan Republic, or those issued into free circulation on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic;

3) foreign commodities — commodities other than those specified in paragraph 2 of this article, with the origin in foreign countries;

4) means of transportation — any facilities used for international transportation of passengers and commodities, including containers and other transport equipment;

5) clearing through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic - activity consisting in import to the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic or export from this territory of commodities or means of transportation as specified by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, including transfer by international mail, use of pipeline transport and overhead lines.

Said activity includes:

  • when commodities or means of transportation are imported to the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic and imported from this territory of free customs zones and free warehouses to the remaining part of customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic - actual crossing of the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic;
  • when commodities or means of transportation are exported from the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic and imported from the remaining part of customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic to the territory of free customs zones and free warehouses - presentation of customs declaration or other act directly related to the intention respectively to export or to import said commodities or means of transportation;

6) legal entities — enterprises, companies and organisations, directly or indirectly participating in implementation of customs operations which have been registered as required by legislation;

7) physical persons — persons carrying out business activity without formation of legal entity;

8) Azerbaijanian legal entities and physical persons — enterprises, companies and organisations located in the Azerbaijan Republic, which have been established in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic; persons carrying out business activity without formation of legal entity, registered in the Azerbaijan Republic; and citizens of the Azerbaijan Republic with permanent residence in the Azerbaijan Republic

9) foreign legal entities and physical persons — entities and persons other than those specified in paragraph 8 of this article;

10) person (entity) transferring commodities — persons (entities) being the owners of commodities, their buyers, proprietors, or those authorised to carry out operations with commodities envisaged by this Code, on their own behalf and otherwise, in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic;

11) declaring person (entity) — legal entity which declares, submits and presents commodities and means of transportation for customs clearing;

12) carrier — person (entity) actually transferring commodities or responsible for the use of means of transportation;

13) customs procedures — set of regulations defining status of commodities and means of transportation transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, with the objective of customs business;

14) issuance — transfer of commodities or means of transportation, after their clearance, by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic to complete disposal of a person (entity);

15) conditional issuance — transfer of commodities or means of transportation, related to obligations of a person (entity) on observance of established restrictions, requirements or conditions;

16) customs clearance — procedure of placement of commodities and means of transportation under specific customs conditions and completion of these conditions in accordance with requirements and provisions of this Code;

17) customs control — set of measures aimed to observance of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic concerning customs business and other legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic and international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic; customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic will be responsible for implementation of these measures;

18) measures of economic policy — system of measures stimulating and limiting import to the Azerbaijan Republic and export from the Azerbaijan Republic of commodities and means of transportation; said measures are established based on aims of economic policy of the Azerbaijan Republic and may include quoting, licensing, limitation, establishment of maximum and minimum prices, and also other measures of control over interaction between the Azerbaijanian economy and world economy;

19) customs payments — customs duty, customs charges, charges for issue of licences for implementation of customs business to legal entities and physical persons, and other payments taken in compliance with established order by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic;

20) customs duty – payments, withdrawn by the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic on import of commodity to the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic and export of commodity from this territory;

21) taxes — compulsory payments, withdrawn of these payments shall be done by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

22) force majeure — extraordinary and insurmountable in these conditions natural calamity (flood, earth-quake, landslide, etc.) or public accident (military operations, etc.);

23) customs broker — legal entity formed in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic and providing intermediary services in the area of customs business for certain fee;

24) quota – establishment of cost and quantitative limitations on commodities imported or exported to certain countries or group of countries.


Section II

Transfer of commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic . Customs conditions

Chapter 3. Main principles of transfer of commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic

Article 18. Right for import to the Azerbaijan Republic and export from the Azerbaijan Republic of commodities and means of transportation

All persons (entities) have equal rights for import to the Azerbaijan Republic and export from the Azerbaijan Republic of commodities and means of transportation in an order specified in this Code.

No person (entity) may be deprived of right or to be restricted in right for import to the Azerbaijan Republic and export from the Azerbaijan Republic of commodities and means of transportation, except cases envisaged in this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 19. Embargo on import to the Azerbaijan Republic and export from the Azerbaijan Republic of commodities and means of transportation

Import to the Azerbaijan Republic and export from the Azerbaijan Republic of certain commodities and means of transportation may be banned due to necessity of state security, protection of public order, people’ morals, life and health of people, protection of animals and plants, the environment, articles of artistic, historical and archaeological wealth of the Azerbaijanian people and other countries, protection of right for property, including objects of intellectual property, protection of interests of Azerbaijanian consumers of imported commodities and other interests of the Azerbaijan Republic following legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic and international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Forbidden commodities and means of transportation shall be immediately taken outside the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, or returned to the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, if said commodities and means of transportation are not subject to confiscation.

Export or return of commodities and means of transportation to the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic shall be done by a person transporting said items through the customs territory, or by carrier at his own expense. Where there is no opportunity to take out or to return immediately commodities and means of transportation they are put into warehouses of temporary storing of the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic. Maximum term of storing of said commodities and means of transportation at such warehouses is three days.

After the expiration of ultimate term of storing, commodities and means of transportation become the property of the state or are destroyed in an order specified in legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 20. Limitations on import to the Azerbaijan Republic and export from the Azerbaijan Republic of commodities and means of transportation

Limitations on import to the Azerbaijan Republic and export from the Azerbaijan Republic of commodities and means of transportation may be established following terms of international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic, with the aim for protection of economic base of sovereignty of the Azerbaijan Republic, domestic market, and also as a retaliatory measure against discriminatory acts or other acts of economic policy of foreign countries and their unions violating interests of Azerbaijanian entities, in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic and international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic.

On establishment of said limitations export of commodities and means of transportation falling under these regulations is permitted by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic only on terms specified by legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic and international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic establishing limitations as indicated in the first paragraph of this article, must be published in official press ten days before their enactment, except legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic with different procedure of enactment.

Expenditures borne by the person transporting commodities, or by carrier in relation to introduction of said limitations, shall not be reimbursed by state bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 21. Customs clearing and customs control

Commodities and means of transportation must pass customs clearing and customs control in an order and on terms envisaged by this Code.

Article 22. Use and disposal of commodities and means of transportation taken through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic

Use and disposal of commodities and means of transportation taken through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic is accomplished in compliance with customs regulations and this Code.

Article 23. Use and disposal of conditionally cleared commodities and means of transportation which enjoy privileges on tax payments

Conditionally cleared commodities and means of transportation which enjoy privileges on tax payments may be used only for special objectives for which said privileges have been granted. Use of said commodities and means of transportation with different objectives must be permitted by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, on condition that customs payments are done and all other requirements under this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic are fulfilled.

Disposal of conditionally cleared commodities and means of transportation which enjoy privileges on tax payments may be permitted by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in an order specified in the first paragraph of this article.

Article 24. Procedure of transfer of commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic

Transportation of commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic is accomplished in compliance with customs regulations, in an order specified by this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 25. Kinds of customs regulations

In terms of customs regulations, the following conditions exist:

1) issuance for free circulation;

2) re-import;

3) transit;

4) customs warehouse;

5) duty-free shop;

6) processing at the customs territory;

7) processing under the customs control;

8) temporal import (export)

9) free customs zone;

10) free warehouse;

11) processing outside the customs territory;

12) export;

13) re-export;

14) destruction;

15) refusal in favour of the state.

Article 26. Specific features of legal control over the customs conditions

If this Code does not include provisions on control over some issues of customs conditions, relevant executive power authority of the Azerbaijan Republic, within the limits of its competence, until respective legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic are accepted, may establish procedures of customs regulations and also customs conditions other than those specified in this Code.

Article 27. Choice and change of customs conditions

Person (entity) shall have the right to choose any customs conditions or change it for another, irrespective of nature, quantity, country of origin or intention of commodities and means of transportation, if not specified otherwise in this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic on customs activity.

Article 28. Place and time of crossing of the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic by commodities and means of transportation

Crossing of the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic by commodities and means of transportation takes place at the points specified by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic and within their working hours. At other points and outside normal working hours of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic commodities and means of transportation may cross customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic on agreement with the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Chapter 4. Issuance for free circulation

Article 29. Content of customs regulations

Issuance of commodities for free circulation — customs conditions where commodities imported to the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic remain permanently on this territory without obligations to take them out from this territory.

Article 30. Terms of placement of commodities under the customs regulations

Issuance of commodities for free circulation envisages:

  • payment of customs duties, taxes and other customs charges with respect to commodities;
  • observance of measures of economic policy and other limitations.

Chapter 5. Re-import

Article 31. Content of customs regulations

Re-import of commodities — customs conditions where commodities of Azerbaijanian origin, having been exported from the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic in line with the export customs conditions, are re-imported in specified term, without withdrawal of customs duties, taxes and also without applying any measures of economic policy with respect to these commodities.

Article 32. Terms for placement of commodities under the customs regulations

To be placed under the customs regulations or re-import commodities should:

  • be in the same condition as they were imported, except normal wear and tear, or losses in the course of ordinary conditions of transportation and storage and other cases specified by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic;
  • be imported to the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic within ten years from the day of export.

Article 33. Return of export customs duties, taxes and other sums

On re-import of commodities within three years from the day of export, customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic will reimburse paid sums of export customs duties, taxes.

On re-import of commodities person (entity) transferring commodities, reimburses sums obtained as privileges granted for export of commodities.

In cases specified by relevant executive power body, besides sums mentioned above, interest is taken at rates established by National Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic for credits provided by this Bank.

Sums and interest on these sums, as specified in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this article, are withdrawn by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in an order established for payment of customs charges.

Chapter 6. Transit

Article 34. Content of customs regulations

Transit of commodities - customs conditions when commodities are transported between the two customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, including those through the territory of foreign country, without withdrawal of customs duties, taxes and without applying measures of economic policy to said commodities.

Article 35. Terms of placement of commodities under the customs regulations

Commodities being transported between the two customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic:

  • should remain in unchanged condition, except normal wear and tear, or losses in the course of ordinary conditions of transportation and storage and must not be used for any other objectives besides transit;
  • should be delivered to the customs body of destination within term specified by customs body of departure, depending on capacity of means of transportation, chosen route and other conditions of transportation.

Transit of commodities over the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic might be carried out by any roads and in any directions, if not specified otherwise by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

If customs authority of the Azerbaijan Republic has enough grounds to believe that carrier or its means of transportation cannot guarantee observance of provisions of this Code, customs authority of the Azerbaijan Republic will have the right to place commodities under the customs regulations of transit, provided that respective , means of transportation will be duly equipped, there will be customs escort or commodities will be transported by special customs carrier in an order specified by this Code and normative acts of authorised executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Expenditures borne by carrier in compliance with special equipping of transportation means, or transportation of commodities by customs carrier shall not be reimbursed by state bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 36. Permit for transit of commodities

Transit of commodities is accomplished by permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, except cases when relevant body of executive power of the Azerbaijan Republic establishes limitations on transit of commodities, and also as a retaliatory measure against discrimination policy or other acts of foreign countries and their unions violating interests of Azerbaijanian persons (entities).

In cases when measures under article 35 of this Code cannot provide observance of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic issue permit for transit of commodities only on condition of payment of customs duties or transfer of due sums to relevant deposit bank accounts.

Article 37. Delivery of documents on commodities to the customs body of destination

Upon accident, or situation of force majeure commodities may be unloaded before point of destination is reached. In this case carrier must:

  • take all necessary measures to provide safety of commodities and to prevent their use in any way without permit;
  • inform immediately the nearest customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic about circumstances, location of commodities and means of transportation;
  • provide transportation of commodities to the nearest customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or to bring executives of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic to a place where commodities are stored.

Customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic will not refund expenditures borne by the carrier in connection with measures envisaged by this article.

Article 39. Responsibility of carrier

Carrier is responsible for transit of commodities.

On issuance of commodities without permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, their loss of commodities or non-delivery to the customs body of destination, carrier will have to pay customs charges which are payable respectively under customs regulations on issuance for free circulation or export, except cases when commodities are destroyed, irretrievably lost as a result of accident or acts of god, or lost as a result of normal wear and tear in ordinary conditions of transportation and storage, or lost as a property as a result of illegal - under legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic- acts of authorities or executives of foreign state.

Chapter 7. Customs warehouse

Article 40. Content of customs regulations

Customs warehouse — customs regulations where imported commodities are stored under the customs control without withdrawal of customs duties and taxes, and without application of measures of economic policy to commodities during storing, commodities intended for export in accordance with export customs regulations shall be stored under the customs control, with provision of privileges envisaged by this Code.

Article 41. Regulations on placement of commodities under the customs control

Any commodities may be placed under the regulations of customs warehouse, except commodities banned for import to the Azerbaijan Republic, export from the Azerbaijan Republic, and other commodities specified by relevant executive power body which controls customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Commodities, can cause damage to other commodities or those requiring special storing conditions must be kept in special depots.

Article 42. Customs warehouses and their types

Commodities shall be stored in specially allocated and equipped depot or other place (customs warehouse).

Customs warehouse might be of open type, i.e. accessible for use by any persons (entities) or closed type, i.e. intended for storage of commodities by certain persons (entities).

Customs warehouses of closed type might be established where there are all grounds against establishment of the customs warehouse of open type.

Article 43. Owners of customs warehouses

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic or Azerbaijanian persons (entities) may be owners of customs warehouses.

Customs warehouses established by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic are open type warehouses.

Article 44. License for establishment of customs warehouse

Customs warehouses can be established under the license issued by relevant executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic. No license is required if the founder of the customs warehouse is the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic in line with regulations established by relevant executive power body issues license on establishment of customs warehouse and specifies term of its validity.

Rate of fee to be paid for the license on establishment of the customs warehouse is defined by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

License on establishment of the customs warehouse may be annulled or recalled, or suspended by the body which has issued license on establishment of customs warehouse.

License on establishment of the customs warehouse will be annulled if it was issued based on untrue information, or against established regulations. Decision about annulment takes effect from the date determined in accordance with legislation and specified in said decision.

License will be recalled if the owner of the customs warehouse fails to observe provisions of this chapter. Recall will take effect from the date when decision about recall was taken.

License may be recalled or its action may be suspended for a term of up to three months, whenever there are enough reasons to believe that the owner of the customs warehouse abuses his power.

On annulment or recall of license charge paid for its issuance shall not be reimbursed.

Article 45. Requirements to customs warehouses and their owners

Depot or other place allocated for customs warehouse must be duly equipped to provide customs control, and, where necessary have double locking devices, one of them being under surveillance of custom authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Owner of the customs warehouse:

  • must not allow withdrawal of commodities being in storage in the customs warehouse apart from customs control;
  • should not hamper customs control;
  • must observe terms of license on establishment of customs warehouse and meet requests of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, including their access to locations of commodities storing, free provision of rooms, equipment and means of communication in the customs warehouse for organisation of customs control and clearing;
  • must keep accounting of commodities in storing;
  • must report to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic as per commodities stored in the customs warehouses in an order specified by executive power body which controls customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 46. Exemption of commodities placed under regulations of the customs warehouse and intended for export in accordance with customs export regulations from customs duties, taxes or reimbursement of paid sums

Being placed under regulations of the customs warehouse commodities intended for export in compliance with customs export regulations are exempted from customs duties, taxes, or paid sums are refunded if such exemption or reimbursement have been envisaged at actual export of commodities. On exemption from customs duties, taxes and return of paid sums commodities should be exported not later than three months from the day when said commodities were placed under the regulations of customs warehouse.

If said commodities remain non-exported within the specified term, customs duties, taxes and also interest on these sums shall be paid at rates established by National Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic for credits provided by this Bank.

Article 47. Responsibility for payment of customs duties

Except cases envisaged in the second and third paragraphs of this article, owner of the customs warehouse is responsible for payment of customs duties, taxes and other customs charges.

If customs warehouse has been established by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic person (entity) which placed commodities at the customs warehouse for storing will be responsible for payment of customs charges.

With the consent of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic can also impose responsibility for payment of customs charges on a person (entity) which placed commodities at the open type customs warehouse.

Article 48. Term of storage of commodities at the customs warehouse

Commodities may remain under the regulations of customs warehouse three years. For certain categories of commodities said term may be limited by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, and for certain categories of persons - by other customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic.

On expiration of specified term, commodities should be officially transferred under different customs regulations, or placed at the warehouse of temporary storage subordinate to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 49. Operations with commodities placed under the regulations of customs warehouse

The following operations might be done with commodities placed under the regulations of customs warehouse:

  • on preservation of these commodities;
  • on preparation of commodities, with the consent of the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, for sale and transportation - such operations, as breaking commodities into smaller lots, organisation of shipments, sorting, packing, marking, loading, etc.

List and procedure of implementation of said operations will be defined by the executive power body carrying out control over the customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 50. Liquidation of the customs warehouse

On liquidation of the customs warehouse after expiration of term of license validity, or by the owner’ desire and also on annulment or recall of the license on establishment of the customs warehouse by the executive power body carrying out control over the customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, from the date of enactment of this decision customs warehouse becomes a warehouse of temporary storage. Commodities are stored at the warehouse of temporary storage in compliance with this Code.

On annulment of the license commodities being at the warehouse are subject to repeated customs clearing after the date of their placement to the warehouse.

On recall of the license commodities being at the warehouse are subject to repeated customs clearing after the date of decision about their recall. Customs duties for storage of commodities are withdrawn at a rate established for warehouses of temporary storage. In case of suspension of the term of validity of the license commodities shall not be placed to the warehouse for storing. Issuance of commodities from the warehouse is accomplished in an order specified by this Code.

Chapter 8. Duty-free shop

Article 51. Content of customs regulations

Duty-free shop - customs regulations when commodities are sold under the customs regulations on the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic (in the international airports and ports and other places determined by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic) without withdrawal of customs duties, taxes and application of measures of economic policy to commodities.

Article 52. Regulations on placement of commodities under the customs control

Any commodities may be sold under the regulations of duty-free shop, except commodities banned for import to the Azerbaijan Republic, export from the Azerbaijan Republic, forbidden for sale on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, including commodities specified by relevant executive power body which controls customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Commodities, their sale on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic being restricted, may be sold under the customs regulations of the duty-free shop, provided that all relevant requirements of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic are observed.

Commodities placed under the customs control of duty-free shop are sold directly in special shops (duty-free shops).

Article 53. License for establishment of duty-free shop

Duty-free shop may be established by Azerbaijanian subjects under the license issued by relevant executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic in line with regulations established by relevant executive power body issues license on establishment of duty-free shop and specifies term of its validity.

Rate of charge to be paid for the license on establishment of the duty-free shop is defined by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 54. Requirements to the owner of duty-free shop

The owner of duty-free shop:

  • must not allow withdrawal of commodities arriving to the duty-free shop and being sold there apart from customs control;
  • must observe terms of license on establishment of duty-free shop and meet righteous requests of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic;
  • must keep accounting of commodities delivered and sold in the duty-free shop, report to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic as per said commodities in an order specified by the executive power body which controls customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 55. Responsibility for payment of customs duties

The owner of the duty-free shop is responsible for payment of customs duties.

Article 56. Liquidation of duty-free shop

Executive power body which issued the license for establishment of duty-free shop has the right to annul, recall or to suspend its action.

License is annulled if it was issued based on untrue information, or against established regulations. Decision about annulment takes effect from the date of issue of said license.

License is recalled if the owner of duty-free shop fails to observe provisions of this chapter, or if such license does not correspond anymore to economic policy of the Azerbaijan Republic. Recall will take effect from the date when decision about recall was taken.

Term of validity of the license may be suspended for a term of up to three months, whenever there are enough reasons to believe that the owner of duty-free shop abuses his power.

On annulment or recall of license charge paid for its issuance shall not be reimbursed. On liquidation of duty-free shop, from the date of such decision the shop acquires the status of a temporary warehouse. Storage of commodities at the temporary warehouse is accomplished in compliance with this Code.

On annulment of the license commodities being in the duty-free shop are subject to repeated customs clearing after the date of their delivery to the duty-free shop.

The owner of a duty-free shop will have to pay customs duties for the whole period of storage of commodities in the shop under liquidation, at a rate established by relevant executive power body.

On recall of the license commodities being in the duty-free shop are subject to repeated customs clearing after the date of decision about such recall.

After decision about liquidation of duty-free shop is taken, the owner of the shop will have to pay customs duties for commodities being in the shop, at a rate specified for temporary warehouses established by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

During the period of suspension of the license for a certain term acceptance of commodities and their sale in the duty-free shop is not allowed. Movement of commodities (monitoring) is carried on in an order specified in this Code.

Chapter 9. Processing of commodities at the customs territory

Processing of commodities at the customs territory - customs regulations when foreign commodities are used in an established order for processing at the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic without application of measures of economic policy and with refunding of sums of import customs duties and taxes, on condition that processed products shall be exported outside the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic in compliance with the customs export regulations.

Article 58. Operations on processing of commodities

Operations on processing of commodities include:

  • production of commodities, including installation, assembling, adjustment;
  • processing and treatment of commodities;
  • repair of commodities, including their restoration and putting in order;
  • complete or partial use of some commodities which contribute to processing of commodities or make it easier.

Constraints on individual operations of processing of commodities, terms of accomplishment of these operations, including possibility and regulations on use of Azerbaijanian commodities are determined by relevant executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 59. License on processing of commodities at the customs territory

Procedure of issuance of licenses for processing of commodities at the customs territory is established by relevant executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic. License for processing of commodities at the customs territory is issued to Azerbaijanian subjects by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic on condition that :

  • imported commodities might be identified with products of processing, except when specified otherwise by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic;
  • processing promotes export of products of processing or use of production facilities of the Azerbaijan Republic;
  • other regulations related to legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic on customs business are fulfilled; said regulations may be established by relevant executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

License on processing of commodities at the customs territory may be annulled or recalled by executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

License is annulled if it was issued based on untrue information, or against established regulations. Decision about annulment takes effect from the date of issue of said license.

License is recalled if its owner fails to observe provisions of this chapter, or if on processing of commodities at the customs territory does not correspond anymore to economic policy of the Azerbaijan Republic. Recall will take effect from the date when such decision was taken.

Article 60. Term of processing of commodities at the customs territory

Processing of commodities at the customs territory must be done in term specified by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, in an order established by executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic. Such term must be economically sound to provide efficient processing of commodities and disposal or processed commodities.

Article 61. Compulsory output of products of processing

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic might establish in customs purposes compulsory output of products of processing formed as a result of processing of commodities.

Procedure of establishment of compulsory output of products of processing in customs purposes is specified by executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, on agreement with relevant executive power authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 62. Return of import customs duties, taxes

Sums of import customs duties, taxes on export of products of processing in accordance with customs export regulations shall be refunded by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic on condition of observance of this Code and if products of processing have been exported within at least two years from the day when commodities were transported through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 63. Exemption from customs duties, taxes and application of measures of economic policy

Foreign commodities which were used for processing and products of their processing are exempted from export customs duties and taxes. Measures of economic policy are also not applied to said commodities and products.

Chapter 10. Processing of commodities under the customs control

Article 64. Content of customs regulations

Processing of commodities under the customs control — customs regulations when foreign commodities are used in an established order at the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic without withdrawal of custom duties and taxes, and also without applying measures of economic policy to said commodities for processing under the customs control, with subsequent issuance for free circulation or placement of products of processing under different customs regulations.

Article 65. Processing of commodities under the customs control

Processing of commodities under the customs control is accomplished in line with provisions of articles 58-61 and 63 of this Code.

Article 66. Constraints on use of customs control

Processing of commodities under the customs control cannot be used as an excuse for non- observance of measures of economic policy and regulations on determination of the country of origin.

Cases when use of customs regulations on processing of commodities under the customs control is prohibited are defined by executive power body carrying out control over the customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Chapter 11. Temporary import (export)

Article 67. Content of customs regulations

Temporary import (export) of commodities - customs regulations when disposal of commodities at the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic or outside it is allowed with complete or partial exemption from tax duties, taxes and without applying measures of economic policy.

Commodities imported (exported) temporarily must be returned in unchanged condition, except normal wear and tear, or losses in the course of ordinary conditions of transportation and storage.

Article 68. Regulations on placement of commodities under the customs control

Temporary import (export) of commodities is allowed under regulations specified by executive power body which controls customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic establishes categories of commodities banned for temporary import (export).

Article 69. Permit for temporary import (export) of commodities

Permit for temporary import (export) of commodities is issued by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in an order specified by executive power body which controls customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic are not authorised to issue permits for temporary import (export) of commodities if they cannot be reliably identified.

Article 70. Term allocated for temporary import (export) of commodities

Term for temporary import (export) of commodities is established by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic and as a rule cannot exceed two years, considering objectives and circumstances of such import (export).

For individual categories of commodities, executive power body carrying out control over the customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic may establish shorter or longer time periods for temporary import (export) of commodities.

Prolongation of said time periods is accomplished by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in an order specified by the executive power body carrying out control over the customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 71. Exemption from payment of customs duties, taxes

Regulations on complete or partial exemption of commodities imported (exported) temporarily from payment of customs duties and taxes are established by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

In case of partial exemption from payment of customs duties and taxes, every month three percent will be paid of sum which would be paid if commodities were issued for free circulation and exported in accordance with customs export regulations.

Total sum of customs duties and taxes withdrawn in case of temporary import (export), with partial exemption from payment of customs duties, taxes should not exceed sum of customs duties, taxes which would be paid at the moment of import (export) if commodities were issued for free circulation or exported in accordance with customs export regulations.

Should these sums be equal, commodities will be regarded issued for free circulation or exported in accordance with customs export regulations, on condition that measures of economic policy are not applied to these commodities.

Article 72. Disposal of commodities on expiration of specified term of temporary import (export)

On the date of expiration of specified term, non-returned, imported (exported) temporarily commodities shall be declared under the different customs regulations, or placed at the temporary warehouses whose owners are customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, or at other places specified by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 73. Non-return of temporarily exported (imported) commodities due to their destruction, loss, deficit or as a result of illegal actions of bodies or executives of foreign country

Person (entity) which exported commodities temporarily and failed to return said commodities within specified term will not be responsible before the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, if the fact of change in commodities due to normal wear and tear, or losses in the course of normal conditions of transportation and storage, and also destruction or complete loss of commodities as a result of accident or force majeure circumstances, or getting out of proprietorship as a result of illegal - under the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic - actions of bodies or executives of foreign country has been confirmed by consular departments of the Azerbaijan Republic abroad.

Person (entity) which imported commodities temporarily and failed to take out said commodities within specified term will not be responsible before the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, if the fact of change in commodities due to normal wear and tear, or losses in the course of normal conditions of transportation and storage, and also destruction or complete loss of commodities as a result of accident or force majeure circumstances, or getting out of proprietorship as a result of illegal - under the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic - actions of bodies or executives of foreign country has been confirmed by competent state bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Chapter 12. Free customs zone. Free warehouse

Article 74. Content of customs regulations

Free customs zone and free warehouse - customs regulations where foreign commodities are placed and disposed of within territorial borders or buildings (depots) without withdrawal of customs duties, taxes and also without applying measures of economic policy to said commodities, whereas Azerbaijanian commodities are placed and disposed of in line with customs export regulations, as specified in this Code.

Article 75. Establishment of free customs zone

Free customs zone is established in accordance with provisions of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Respective executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic shall have the right to annul decision about establishment of free customs zone, if its functioning disagrees with provisions of this Code, or legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic on such zone (s).

Article 76. License for establishment of free warehouse

Free warehouses can be established under the license issued by relevant executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, in line with regulations established by relevant executive power authorities, issues license for establishment of free warehouse and specifies term of its validity.

Rate of charge to be paid for the license on establishment of free warehouse is specified by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

License on establishment of free warehouse may be annulled or recalled, or suspended by the body which has issued such license.

License on establishment of free warehouse will be annulled if it was issued based on untrue information, or against established regulations.

License will be recalled if the owner of free warehouse fails to observe provisions of this chapter, or existence of the warehouse does not agree anymore with economic policy of the Azerbaijan Republic.

License may be suspended for a term of up to three months or the license may be annulled, when there are enough reasons to believe that the owner of free warehouse abuses his power.

On annulment or recall of license charge paid for its issuance shall not be reimbursed.

Article 77. Operations with commodities in free customs zones and free warehouses

On condition that provisions of this Code are observed, in free customs zones and free warehouses operations of productive nature and commercial operations with commodities, except their retail sale are allowed.

To provide observance of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic and depending on nature of commodities, bans and constraints on implementation of operations with commodities in free customs zones and free warehouses may be established. Such bans and constraints regarding free customs zones are established by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic, and regarding free warehouses - by executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic may forbid some persons (entities) to carry out operations with commodities in free customs zones and free warehouses, if these persons fail to observe provisions of this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic. Relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic and executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, within the limits of their competence, may restrict or forbid import of certain categories of commodities to free customs zones or their placement to free warehouses.

Article 78. Term of location of commodities in free customs zones and free warehouses

Where there are good reasons, customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic may carry out customs control over commodities located in free customs zones and free warehouses.

Construction of buildings and depots in free customs zones is allowed on agreement with customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Procedures of customs clearing of commodities delivered into free customs zones and placed into free warehouses, and commodities exported from free customs zones and free warehouses might be simplified by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 80. Registration (accounting) of commodities located in free customs zones and at free warehouses

Persons (entities) carrying out operations with commodities in free customs zones and owners of free warehouses shall keep records on imported, exported, stored, produced, processed, purchased and sold commodities and report to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic about such commodities in an order specified by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic. Any changes with commodities within the borders of free customs zones and free warehouses should be reflected in records.

Article 81. Requirements to free warehouses and their owners

Buildings or other places intended for establishment of free warehouse should be developed and duly equipped to provide customs control and, where necessary have double locking devices, one of them being under surveillance of custom authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Only Azerbaijanian subjects may be the owners of free warehouses.

The owner of free warehouse:

  • must not allow withdrawal of commodities located in the free warehouse apart from customs control;
  • should not hamper customs control;
  • must observe terms of license on establishment of free warehouse and meet requests of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, including access of their executives to commodities at the free warehouse;
  • must fulfil righteous requirements of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 82. Withdrawal of customs duties, taxes and application of measures of economic policy

On import of foreign and Azerbaijanian commodities into free customs zones or placement thereof into free warehouses, customs duties, taxes are not withdrawn and measures of economic policy are not applied.

On export of commodities from the territory of free customs zones and from free warehouses to remaining part of customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, or on export of commodities from the territory of free customs zones and from free warehouses outside the Azerbaijan Republic within the limits of wholesale sale, customs duties and taxes shall be paid, and measures of economic policy will be applied depending on the origin of commodities.

At request of interested person (entity) customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic will confirm origin of commodities having issued certificate in an order established by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

If on export of commodity certificate is absent, said commodity is regarded as Azerbaijanian with the purpose of withdrawal of export customs duties and application of measures of economic policy, with all other purposes same commodity will be regarded as foreign.

Article 83. Exemption of commodities intended for export in accordance with customs export regulations from customs duties, taxes or return of paid sums

On import of commodities which are intended for export outside the Azerbaijan Republic in compliance with customs export regulations into free customs zones or placement thereof at the free warehouses, such commodities are exempted from customs duties, taxes, or paid sums are refunded if such exemption or reimbursement have been envisaged at actual export of commodities. Actual export of such commodities should be completed not later than six months from the day or reimbursement of customs duties or exemption thereof.

On return of commodities, which are to be exported outside the Azerbaijan Republic, from the territory of free customs zones and free warehouses to remaining part of customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, or on failure to export commodities within specified time period, customs duties and taxes shall be paid, and also interest on these sums, at rates established by National Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic on credits provided by this Bank.

Article 84. Responsibility for payment of customs duties

Person (entity) which brought commodities to the free customs zone or placed them at the free warehouse is responsible for payment of customs charges.

Article 85. Liquidation of free warehouse

On liquidation of free warehouse after expiration of term of license validity, or by the owner’ desire and also on annulment or recall of the license on establishment of free warehouse by the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, from the day when such decision was taken free warehouse becomes a warehouse of temporary storage. Commodities are stored at the warehouse of temporary storage in accordance with this Code. Total term of location of commodities at the warehouse of temporary storage must nor exceed six months.

On annulment of the license commodities in the free warehouse are subject to repeated customs clearing after the date of their placement to the warehouse. The owner of commodities must pay customs duty for storage of commodities for the whole period of their storage in the warehouse under liquidation. Procedure and rates will be same as those established for warehouses of temporary storage.

On suspension of the license, placement of foreign commodities at the warehouse will be done with payment of customs duties, taxes and application of measures of economic policy; exemption from customs duties, taxes or return of paid sums of customs duties, taxes shall not apply to Azerbaijanian commodities.

Chapter 13. Processing of commodities outside the customs territory

Article 86. Content of customs regulations

Processing of commodities outside the customs territory — customs regulations when Azerbaijanian commodities are exported without application of measures of economic policy and are used outside the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic with the purpose of processing and subsequent issuance of products of processing into free circulation at the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, with full or partial exemption from customs duties and taxes, and without application of measures of economic policy to said commodities.

Article 87. Operations on processing of commodities outside the customs territory

When processing commodities outside the customs territory operations listed in the first paragraph of article 59 of this Code might be accomplished.

Executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, on agreement with respective executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic has the right to establish constraints on certain operations on processing of commodities outside the customs territory.

Article 88. Situations excluding possibility of use of customs regulations

Customs regulations on processing of commodities outside the customs territory cannot be applied in the following cases:

  • if export of commodities provides grounds allowing to demand reimbursement of import customs duties, taxes, exemption from said duties and taxes, or return of paid export sums;
  • if commodities before the export were issued into free circulation, and fully exempted from import customs duties, taxes - until such privileged regime exists;
  • in other cases defined by executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, on agreement with respective executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 89. License on processing of commodities outside the customs territory

Processing of commodities outside the customs territory should be done based on license issued by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Said license is issued to Azerbaijanian subjects on condition that :

1) customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic states that products of processing are the result of processing of exported commodities;

2) processing of commodities outside the customs territory does not make serious harm to economic interests of the Azerbaijan Republic;

Procedure of issuance of licenses on processing of commodities outside the customs territory is established by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

License on processing of commodities outside the customs territory may be annulled or recalled by the body which has issued such license.

License is annulled if it was issued based on untrue information, or against established regulations. Decision about annulment takes effect from the date established in compliance with legislation and indicated in said decision.

License is recalled if its owner fails to observe provisions of this chapter, or if on processing of commodities at the customs territory does not correspond anymore to economic policy of the Azerbaijan Republic. Recall will take effect from the date when such decision was taken.

Article 90. Term of processing of commodities at the customs territory

Processing of commodities outside the customs territory must be done within the term specified by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, in an order established by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic. Such term must be economically sound to provide efficient processing of commodities.

Article 91. Obligatory output of products of processing done outside the customs territory

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic might establish obligatory output of products of processing formed as a result of processing of commodities outside the customs territory.

Procedure of establishment of obligatory output of products of processing done outside the customs territory is specified by executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, on agreement with relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 92. Replacement of products of processing with foreign products

Replacement of products of processing with foreign products is allowed in exceptional cases, in an order specified by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic, without prejudice to interests of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 93. Non-return of products exported for processing due to their destruction, loss or illegal actions of organisations, executives of foreign country.

Person (entity) which obtained license for processing of commodities outside the customs territory and failed to return commodities or import products of processing in specified time period will not be responsible to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic if the fact that products of processing have been destroyed, lost as a result of accident or acts of god, or lost as a property as a result of illegal - under legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic- acts of authorities or executives of foreign state is confirmed by consular departments of the Azerbaijan Republic abroad.

Article 94. Withdrawal of customs duties and taxes when taking commodities out (exporting) for processing

Commodities which are taken out for processing are subject to export customs duties, taxes with subsequent refunding of these sums on issuance of products of processing for free circulation at the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, provided that provisions of this chapter are observed. There will be no interest on refunded sums.

On decision of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic taken in line with regulations of the executive power body which carries out control over customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, on agreement with relevant body of the executive power of the Azerbaijan Republic, commodities may be exempted from customs duties and taxes on commodities may be reimbursed at the moment when said commodities are taken out for processing outside the customs territory.

Article 95. Exemption of products of processing from import customs duties and taxes

Complete or partial exemption of products of processing from import customs duties and taxes is granted when said products are declared for free circulation either by the person (entity) who has obtained license for processing of commodities outside the customs territory, or by his (its) customs broker.

Complete exemption from import customs duties and taxes is granted when customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic have assured themselves that objective of processing was overhaul of exported commodities, which was done free, except cases when on the initial issuance of commodities for free circulation shortage was taken into account.

Partial exemption from import customs duties and taxes is granted when overhaul of exported commodities and other operations on processing were paid for. Sums of customs duties, taxes are defined based on rates applicable to products of processing multiplied by cost of the overhaul or other operations on processing.

Chapter 14. Export of commodities

Article 96. Content of customs regulations

Export of commodities – customs regulations when commodities are exported outside the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic without obligations on their return to said territory.

Article 97. Requirements to export of commodities

Commodities are exported on condition of payment of export customs duties and taxes, and other customs charges, observance of measures of economic policy, fulfillment of other requirements envisaged by this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic on customs business.

Exported commodities are exempted from taxes, or paid sums of taxes are reimbursable in accordance with tax legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 98. Issuance of commodities under the customs export regulations

On issuance of commodities under the customs export regulations, commodities should be exported outside the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic in same condition as they were on the day of acceptance of customs declaration, except changes in commodities condition as a result of normal wear and, or losses in normal conditions of transportation and storage.

Chapter 15. Re-export of commodities

Article 99. Content of customs regulations

Re-export of commodities - customs regulations when foreign commodities are exported outside the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic without withdrawal, or with reimbursement of import customs duties and taxes, and without applying measures of economic policy, in accordance with this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic on customs business.

Re-export of commodities is allowed by permit of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic provided in an order specified by executive power body which carries out control over customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, and in cases falling under legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic and international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic - by permit of respective body of executive power.

Article 100. Terms of re-export of commodities

When commodities are brought to the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, import customs duties, taxes are not withdrawn and measures of the economic policy are not applied if said commodities have been declared to the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic as intended directly and solely for re-export. Actual export of such commodities must take place not later than six months from the day when customs declaration was accepted. If commodities were not exported within the specified time period, customs duties and taxes shall be paid, and also interest on these sums, at rates established by National Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic on credits provided by this Bank.

On taking out of re-exported commodities import customs duties and taxes paid on these commodities must be reimbursed on condition that;

  • re-exported commodities are in the same state as when they were imported, except normal wear and tear, or losses in the course of ordinary conditions of transportation and storage;
  • re-export of commodities takes place within two years from the moment of import;
  • re-exported commodities were not used with the purpose of making profits.

On taking out of re-exported commodities export customs duties and taxes shall not be withdrawn, and measures of economic policy applicable to export, shall not apply except situations specified by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Chapter 16. Destruction of commodities

Article 101. Content of customs regulations

Destruction of commodities - customs regulations when foreign commodities are destroyed under the customs control, meaning that they are put into condition unfit for use, without withdrawal of customs duties and taxes, and also without applying measures of economic policy to said commodities.

Destruction of commodities might be done by permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic. Destruction of commodities is prohibited if this might be harmful for the environment and in other cases specified by executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 102. Costs of destruction of commodities and formed wastes

Destruction of commodities and neutralisation of formed wastes will be carried under the state control and at the expense of the owner of these wastes. Wastes formed as a result of destruction of commodities must be placed under the customs control as foreign commodities being under the customs control.

Chapter 17. Refusal from commodities in favour of the state

Article 103. Content of customs regulations

Refusal from commodities - customs regulations when person (entity) refuses from commodity , without withdrawal of customs duties, taxes and also without applying measures of economic policy.

Refusal from commodities in favour of the state in accordance with provisions of this chapter is possible only by permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, given in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 104. Costs associated with refusal from commodities

According to provisions of this chapter, refusal from commodities in favour of the state shall not involve any costs for the state.

Chapter 18. Transfer of means of transportation and some kinds of commodities through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic

Article 105. Transfer of means of transportation

Transfer of means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic is accomplished in compliance with customs regulations applicable to means of transportation.

Means of transportation passing through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also means of transportation being transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic as commodities, shall stop in points specified by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic. Should said means of transportation refuse to stop as indicated, customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic will have the right to stop them by force.

Time length of parking for means of transportation shall be defined by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic and should not be shortened to the prejudice of customs control and customs clearing.

Departure of means of transportation from their parking places shall take place only by permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Time and point of crossing of the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic by means of transportation is subject to agreement between the carrier and respective customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 106. Transfer of national currency of the Azerbaijan Republic, securities in national currency and other currency valuables

Transfer of national currency of the Azerbaijan Republic, securities in national currency and other currency valuables shall be done in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic on currency

Article 107. Transfer of commodities by physical persons with non-commercial purposes

Commodities which are not intended for productive or commercial activity can be transferred by physical persons through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic in simplified, privileged manner, determined by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic and executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic within the limits of its competence.

Designation of commodities is identified depending on their nature and frequency of commodity transfers, taking into account all circumstances of the trip of physical person, and whether there are enough reasons to believe that commodities are transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic with the purpose of personal use or consumption by physical person or member of his family.

Executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, on agreement with respective executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic, is authorised to establish quantitative or cost quotas on transfer of some categories of commodities without commercial purposes by physical persons through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic in simplified, privileged manner.


Section III
Customs payments

Chapter 19. General

Article 108. Customs payments

In cases specified in this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic the following customs payments shall be done:

1) customs duty;

2) value added tax;

3) excises;

4) road tax;

5) charges for issuance of licenses by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, and for re-activation of the license;

6) charges for issuance of qualification certificate to specialists on customs clearance and re-activation of such certificates;

7) customs charges for customs clearance ;

8) customs charges for storage of commodities;

9) customs charges for customs escort of commodities;

10) payment for advises and consulting;

11) payment for taking preliminary decision;

12) fee for participation in customs auctions;

13) other customs payments. (5)

Article 109. Customs duty

Commodities transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic are subject to payment of customs duty in accordance with the Law of the Azerbaijan Republic «On customs tariff».

Article 110. Value added tax

Value added tax is applied to commodities being imported to the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic and exported from this territory in line with provisions of the Customs Code of the Azerbaijan Republic. (5)

Article 111. Excises

Excises are applied to commodities being imported to the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic and exported from this territory in line with provisions of the Customs Code of the Azerbaijan Republic. (5)

Article 111-1. Road tax

Road tax is applied to vehicles of the foreign states passing through the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, in line with provisions of this Code and tax legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic. (5)

Article 112. Customs charges for customs clearance

Customs charges for customs clearance on commodities, including means of transportation taken through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic as commodities, and commodities of non-commercial nature, being transported in unaccompanied luggage, international mail and as a cargo, and also means of transportation are withdrawn as envisaged by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Double charges will be taken for customs clearance on commodities and means of transportation implemented outside specified locations and after normal working hours of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 113. Customs charges for storage of commodities

Customs charges for storage of commodities and means of transportation in the customs warehouses and warehouses of temporary storing, their owners being customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, are withdrawn at rates specified by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, on agreement with relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic, based on average cost of rendered services.

Article 114. Customs charges for customs escort of commodities

Customs charges for customs escort of commodities are withdrawn at rates specified by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, on agreement with relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Chapter 20. Estimation and payment of customs charges

Article 115. Basis for estimation of customs duty, value added tax, excise and custom charges

Basis for estimation of customs duty, excises and custom charges will be customs cost of commodities and mans of transportation determined in accordance with the Law of the Azerbaijan Republic «On customs tariff».

Basis for estimation of value added tax will be customs cost of commodities plus customs duty, and for commodities of excise category - also sum of excise.

Article 116. Payers of customs charges

Custom charges shall be paid directly by declaring person, or other person as specified in this Code.

Any interested person has the right to pay customs charges if nor specified otherwise by this Code.

Article 117. Term of payment of customs charges

Customs charges are paid before or simultaneously with acceptance of customs declaration.

On transfer of commodities through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic without commercial purposes, customs charges are paid simultaneously with acceptance of customs declaration.

If customs declaration was not presented within specified time period, term of payment of customs charges shall be estimated from the deadline for presentation of customs declaration.

Article 118. Procedure of payment of customs charges

Customs charges (except for road tax) are paid to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, and as per commodities sent by international mail - to state enterprises of communications; these enterprises then transfer said sums of payments to the bank accounts of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in an order specified by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, together with relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Road tax is to be withheld by the customs authorities when vehicles of the foreign states arrive to the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic and shall be paid to the state budget within one banking day. (5)

Article 119. Payment of customs charges with deferment and by instalments

As an exception, the payer may be allowed to pay customs charges with deferment and by instalments.

Decision about privilege to pay customs charges with deferment and by instalments is taken by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic which carries out customs clearing.

Term of payment of customs charges with deferment and by instalments must not exceed two months from the day of acceptance of customs declaration.

After the privilege to pay customs charges with deferment and by instalments is given, customs charges shall be paid in an order specified by this Code.

Interest for provision of right to pay with deferment and by instalments will be taken at rates established by National Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic for credits provided by this Bank. Said interest sums will be transferred to state budget.

Persons who attempted to avoid paying customs charges will not be granted the privilege in payment with deferment and by instalments.

Article 120. Security of payment of customs charges

Payment of customs charges may be secured by mortgage of commodities and means of transportation, guarantee of the third party, or by transfer of due sums to the deposit account.

On mortgage, pawned commodities and means of transportation remain with the mortgagor, if not specified otherwise by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Mortgagor has no right to dispose of subject of mortgage without consent of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Registration of mortgage and recourse with respect to mortgage are implemented in accordance with legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic on mortgages.

Guarantee of bank and other credit organisation which obtained license of National Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic for accomplishment of operations with foreign currency may be used as security of payment of customs charges. Such banks and other credit organisations are included, by their applications, into register maintained by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Procedure of consideration of applications of banks and other credit organisations about inclusion into the register is established by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Rate of charge for inclusion of bank and other credit organisation into the register is determined by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Whenever terms of guarantees and provisions of this article are not observed, bank and other credit organisation may be excluded from the register by decision of the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic. On exclusion of bank and other credit organisation from the register paid sum of registration fee will not be returned.

Sum of customs payments transferred to deposit account is the sum which should be paid if commodities were issued for free circulation, or exported in accordance with customs export regulations. No interest shall be added to said sums of money for the period of their being at the deposit account.

Procedure of transfer of due sums to deposit accounts and of their return is established by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 121. Currency of customs payments

Customs payments are accomplished in national currency of the Azerbaijan Republic. As an exception customs payments may be done in foreign currency.

Conversion of foreign currency into national currency of the Azerbaijan Republic is done at a rate of exchange of National Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic existing on the date of acceptance of customs declaration.

Article 122. Collection of customs payments and measure of responsibility

Unpaid customs duties and other payments are collected by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic irrespective of the time when fact of non-payment was discovered. Collection of payments from physical persons taking commodities through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic for purposes other than commercial is accomplished based on legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic. Fine in the amount of 0,3 percent of the underpaid sum is collected for each day of the period of indebtedness.

If the payer has no money, in line with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic recourse will be taken against his property.

Should the payer try to avoid customs payments, executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, is authorised to make decision on suspension of operations with bank accounts of the payer to the moment of actual payment. Such decision is mandatory for banks and other credit organisations.

If the banks or other credit organisations fail to implement decisions of the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic on unquestionable recovery of due sums, or if there are unnecessary delays with implementation of said decisions, legal actions shall be taken against such persons and guilty executives, in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Repeated non-implementation or repeated delays with implementation of decisions of the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic on unquestionable recovery of sums of customs payments shall be a motive for the National Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic to recall license for implementation of banking operations.

If the person which takes commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic is not declaring person himself, such person shall be equally responsible with the declaring person for payment of customs duties.

On illegal transfer of commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic persons involved in said illegal transfer of commodities and means of transportation, persons participating in said illegal transfer - if they knew or should know about illegality of such transportation, and, in case of import, also persons who purchased as a property or acquired for use illegally imported commodities and means of transportation - if they knew or should know about illegality of such import.

Article 123. Return of overpaid customs charges

Sums of overpaid or overdeducted customs charges, except for road tax and taxes of export-import operations, should be reimbursed, at a person’s request, within one year from the moment of payment or withdrawal of such payments.

On reimbursement of the above sums of customs payments no interest is paid on them.

Procedure of return of overpaid or overdeducted customs charges, except for road tax and taxes of export-import operations is established by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, on agreement with relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Remained sums of road tax and already paid taxes, percents and financial sanctions applied in the sphere of import-export operations will be reimbursed to the taxpayer on the basis of his written application within 45 days, if not stipulated otherwise by the Customs Code of the Azerbaijan Republic.

In all cases of erroneous reimbursement of sums of value added tax, customs officers should claim for reimbursement of these sums within the limits of their authorities for collection of tax in an established order.

Procedure of reimbursement of sums of already paid road tax and taxes, percents and financial sanctions applied in the sphere of import-export operations to the taxpayer is established by the respective executive power body.(5)


Section IV
Customs clearing

Chapter 21. General

Article 124. Procedure of implementation of customs clearing

Customs clearing is implemented in an order specified by this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic, including normative acts of the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 125. Place and time of implementation of customs clearing

Customs clearing is implemented in specially allocated places, in a zone of activity of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, where consignor of consignee of commodities is located, or their structural division; time for implementation of customs clearing will be normal working hours of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic established by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

With the consent of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic customs clearing might be done in other places and after normal working hours of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic is authorised to assign implementation of customs clearing for certain categories of commodities and means of transportation to specific customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 126. Presence of authorised executives and their representatives during procedure of customs clearing

Persons which have authority with regards to commodities and means of transportation and their representatives have the right to be present during procedure of customs clearing.

At request of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic said persons and their representatives must attend procedure of customs clearing and assist executives of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in implementation of customs clearing.

Article 127. Language of customs clearing

Azerbaijanian language is an official language of customs clearing procedure, except cases specified in this Code, international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic and normative acts issued by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 128. Customs clearing and control of other state bodies

In cases envisaged by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, customs clearing of commodities and means of transportation transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic will be completed only after they passed veterinary, phyto-sanitary, ecological and other kinds of state control.

Article 129. Use and disposal of commodities and means of transportation which have not passed customs clearing

Nobody has the right to use and to dispose of commodities and means of transportation which have not passed customs clearing, except cases specified in this Code and normative acts issued by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic. Executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic has the right to establish terms and constraints on use and disposal of commodities and means of transportation which have not passed customs clearing.

Article 130. Beginning of customs clearing

Customs clearing begins after official representative of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic has made statement about his readiness to begin customs clearing with respect to specific of commodities and means of transportation, with observance of procedure of preliminary operations envisaged in this Code.

Article 131. Simplified procedure of customs clearing

Customs clearing of commodities required in situations of natural calamities, accidents, emergencies, with live animals, perishable goods, radioactive substances, printed materials and other objects for mass media, commodities addressed to higher bodies of legislative, executive and judicial power of the Azerbaijan Republic and other similar commodities shall be done in a privileged and simplified manner.

Cases and conditions of implementation of customs clearing in a simplified manner are specified by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 132. Handling and other operations with commodities and means of transportation required for customs clearing

At request of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, person transporting commodities through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, carrier, owner of the warehouse and other person having authority with respect to commodities and means of transportation, are obliged to carry out transportation, weighing or other determination of quantity of commodities, loading, unloading, packing or repackaging of commodities and means of transportation which need customs clearing, and also to open locations where such commodities and means of transportation could be. If customs clearing with respect to said commodities and means of transportation has not been completed, these operations might be carried out with the consent of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Handling and other operations with commodities and means of transportation should not result in any additional costs for customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 133. Taking samples and specimens of commodities with the purpose of customs clearing

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic have the right to take samples and specimens of commodities with the purpose of customs clearing and carry out their investigation (expertise).

With consent of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, samples and specimens of commodities might be taken by persons having authority with respect to said commodities, their representatives and other bodies of state control.

Samples and specimens shall be taken in minimum quantities sufficient for investigations. Act on taking samples and specimens which are under the customs control shall conform to requirements of the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Persons having authority with respect to commodities and their representatives might be present when executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and other bodies of state control take samples and specimens of commodities. Executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic shall be present when samples and specimens are taken by other bodies of state control and also persons having authority with respect to commodities and their representatives. Said persons and their representatives must assist customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in taking samples and specimens of commodities.

In the absence of persons having authority with respect to commodities and their representatives, if these persons fail to appear within ten days after the presentation of commodities, or in urgent circumstances, samples and specimens of commodities may be taken by customs officers of the Azerbaijan Republic.

In such situation, when samples and specimens of commodities are taken, physical persons which are not interested in results of investigation shall be present.

Persons having authority with respect to commodities and their representatives have the right to be acquainted with results of investigation of samples and specimens of commodities. Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic should be informed about results of investigation of samples and specimens of commodities taken by other bodies of state control.

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic will not reimburse any expenses borne by the person in connection with taking of samples and specimens of commodities.

Costs borne by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic and customs laboratories in connection with investigation of samples and specimens of commodities shall not be reimbursed by the person, except situations when such investigation is carried out by the initiative of said person.

Procedure of taking samples and specimens of commodities, term of their investigation and procedure of disposal are established by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 134. Measures on observance of customs legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic with respect to transportation of commodities and accompanying documents

If customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic have insufficient evidence that carrier or its means of transportation cannot guarantee observance of provisions of this Code, customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic may permit transportation of commodities and accompanying documents on condition that vehicle of customs escort is duly equipped (escort of commodities, means of transportation and accompanying documents by executives of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic) to customs carriers in compliance with provisions of this Code and normative acts of the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic. Whereas, expenses in connection with equipping of said vehicle, transportation of commodities and accompanying documents shall be at the carrier’ account.

Chapter 22. Preliminary operations

Article 135. Preliminary operations

All activities related to customs business and preceding major customs clearing of commodities and means of transportation and their placement under specific customs regulations pertain to preliminary operations.

Article 136. Main purpose of preliminary operations

Intention of preliminary operations is to facilitate and to promote major customs clearing of commodities and means of transportation and their placement under specific customs regulations.

During preliminary operations customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic do not permit import to the Azerbaijan Republic or export from the Azerbaijan Republic of commodities and means of transportation forbidden for such import and export. Meanwhile, identification of these commodities and means of transportation with the customs purposes is done.

Article 137. Notification of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic about crossing of customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic or intention to take commodities and means of transportation outside the customs territory

When importing commodities and means of transportation to the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also from the territory of free customs zones and from free warehouses to remaining part of customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, carrier notifies customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic about crossing the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic.

When exporting commodities and means of transportation outside the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, person transferring commodities and means of transportation notifies beforehand customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic about intention to export said commodities and means of transportation. Customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic has the right to register such notification and to appoint time and point of destination, where commodities and means of transportation should arrive for subsequent customs clearing. Should the person transferring commodities fail to issue such notification, it should be done by carrier.

Provisions of this article do not apply to sea, river and air vessels crossing customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic without stops in the ports or airports located on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 138. Delivery of commodities, means of transportation and accompanying documents to the place specified by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic

After the notification mentioned in article 137 of this Code, carrier will have to deliver commodities, means of transportation and accompanying documents to the place specified by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic and store them in this place. Use of these commodities and means of transportation with any other purposes is not permitted, except when there are changes due to normal wear and tear, or losses in the course of ordinary conditions of transportation and storage.

Commodities, means of transportation and accompanying documents should be delivered to customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic within term specified depending on capacity of the vehicle, route and other conditions of transportation.

Article 139. Measures taken upon the accident or force majeure

If, when delivering commodities, means of transportation and accompanying documents, carrier cannot fulfil obligations under article 138 of this Code due to the accident or force majeure circumstances, he will have to provide guarding and prevent any unauthorised use of commodities and means of transportation. Carrier should also notify immediately the nearest customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic about such circumstances and location of commodities and means of transportation. Customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic decides what measures should be taken in the circumstances to provide customs control.

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic shall not refund costs borne by the carrier as a result of taking measures in compliance with this article.

Provisions of this article apply also to occasions when sea, river and air vessels mentioned in article 137 of this Code make forced stop (landing) on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 140. Presentation of commodities and means of transportation for customs control at a place of delivery

At a place of delivery commodities and means of transportation are presented for customs control, and accompanying documents are delivered to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic. Presentation means notification about arrival of commodities and means of transportation not later than one hour after their arrival, and if said commodities and means of transportation arrived after normal working hours of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic - not later than one hour after working day in this organisation begins.

After presentation of commodities, with permit of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, persons having authority with respect to commodities, and their representatives may take samples and specimens of commodities with the purpose of their placement under the customs regulations.

Commodities and means of transportation which arrived to the place of destination after normal working hours of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic should be placed in the zone of customs control.

Abandonment of means of transportation and commodities without control, change of original location of commodities, loading and unloading of commodities, damages package and re-packaging of commodities, change, removal or destruction of identification marks, re-loading, debarkation of passengers shall be done only with permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Violation of provisions of this article shall not bring about responsibility of carrier if the latter can prove that there was real danger of destruction, irretrievable loss or damage to commodities. Carrier shall immediately notify customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic about circumstances which caused violation of said provisions.

Extra expenses which the carrier suffered as a result of activities under this article will not be refunded by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 141. Prime entry

Before commodities and means of transportation are placed under specific customs regulations, prime entry (brief declaration) may be used.

Form of prime entry and list of data to be specified in it are established by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

With permit of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, transport, commercial and other documents, including those prepared in foreign languages familiar to the executives of the customs body might be used as prime entry, if these documents contain information mentioned in the second paragraph of this article.

Prime entry is presented by the carrier simultaneously with presentation of commodities and means of transportation or, with permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, not later than on the following working day after presentation of commodities and means of transportation.

Prime entry is not presented if commodities are placed under specific customs regulations within specified term.

If representative, specially authorised by the carrier to present prime entry is absent, then, with the purpose of customs business, captain, driver or other physical person driving the vehicle will present such prime entry.

Representative of the carrier must assist customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in procedure of clearing with prime entry.

Article 142. Responsibility before customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic during preliminary operations

Before commodities and means of transportation are placed under a certain customs regulations, carrier will be responsible for these commodities and means of transportation before customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic (including payment of customs charges), except other cases envisaged by this Code.

Chapter 23. Temporary storage

Article 143. Placement of commodities and means of transportation for temporary storage

From the moment of presentation to the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic and to the moment of their issuance or placement under chosen customs regulations commodities and means of transportation are placed for temporary storage under the customs control.

Article 144. Places of temporary storage

Temporary storage is done in specially allocated and equipped buildings (depots) or other places (warehouses of temporary storage).

Warehouse of temporary storage might be established by customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic or Azerbaijanian subjects.

Article 145. License for establishment of warehouse of temporary storage

Warehouse of temporary storage might be established under the license issued by relevant executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic. No license is required if the founder of warehouse of temporary storage is the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic determines procedure of issuance of license on establishment of the warehouse of temporary storage. Term of validity of license on establishment of the warehouse of temporary storage is defined by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Rate of charge to be paid for the license on establishment of the warehouse of temporary storage is defined by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

License on establishment of the warehouse of temporary storage may be annulled or recalled by the body which has issued said license.

License is annulled if it was issued based on untrue information, or against established regulations. Decision about annulment takes effect from the date of issue of said license.

License is recalled if the owner of the warehouse fails to observe provisions of this chapter. Recall will take place from the date when decision about recall was taken.

On annulment or recall of the license charge paid for its issuance shall not be reimbursed.

Article 146. Types of warehouses of temporary storage

Warehouses of temporary storage might be of open type (accessible for any commodities) or closed type (intended for storage of commodities requiring special conditions).

Warehouses of temporary storage established by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic are warehouses of open type.

Warehouses of temporary storage of closed type are established if inefficiency of establishment of the open type warehouses is evident.

Article 147. Commodities placed to the warehouse of temporary storage

Any commodities might be placed to the warehouse of temporary storage. Commodities which can cause damage to other commodities or those requiring special storing conditions must be kept in specially equipped warehouses of temporary storage.

Article 148. Relationship between the owner of the warehouse of temporary storage and persons placing commodities and means of transportation to the warehouse

Relationship between the owner of the warehouse of temporary storage and persons placing commodities and means of transportation to the warehouse is based on agreement (contract).

Relationships between the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic which are the owners of warehouses of temporary storage and persons placing commodities and means of transportation to the warehouse are implemented in compliance with this Code and normative acts of the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 149. Documents required for placement of commodities and means of transportation to the warehouse of temporary storage

When commodities and means of transportation are placed to the warehouse of temporary storage, customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic request, as a rule, only documents sufficient for identification of commodities and means of transportation, including those made in one of foreign languages familiar to the executives of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 150. Responsibility of the owner of warehouse of temporary storage

The owner of warehouse of temporary storage:

  • must provide equipping of the warehouse as required to provide customs control
  • must not allow withdrawal of commodities and means of transportation being in storage at the warehouse apart from customs control;
  • should not hamper customs control;
  • must keep accounting and present reports to customs authorities on commodities and means of transportation in storage, as specified by the executive power body carrying out customs control in the Azerbaijan Republic;
  • must prevent access of third parties to stored commodities and means of transportation;
  • must equip the warehouse, where required, with double locking devices, one of them being under surveillance of custom authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic;
  • must observe terms of license on establishment of the warehouse of temporary storage;
  • must meet requests of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, including their access to locations of stored commodities and means of transportation, free provision of rooms, equipment and means of communication in the warehouse of temporary storage for organisation of customs control and clearing.

Article 151. Additional rights of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic with respect to warehouses of temporary storage

Customs authorities may establish requirements for construction, equipping and location of warehouses of temporary storage.

Executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic shall have the right to determine list of commodities which could be stored at the warehouses of temporary storage belonging to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 152. Responsibility for payment of customs duties

Except cases envisaged in the second and third paragraphs of this article, owner of the warehouse is responsible for payment of customs charges with respect to commodities and means of transportation placed at the warehouse of temporary storage.

If in the agreement of the owner of the warehouse of temporary storage with the person placing commodities and means of transportation to the warehouse it is envisaged that this person will be responsible for payment of customs charges, then the owner of the customs warehouse will be responsible for payment of customs charges equally with the above said person.

If the warehouse of temporary storage belongs to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, then person which placed commodities and means of transportation to the warehouse of temporary storage will be responsible for payment of customs charges, in the absence of such person - responsibility will be with the owner of commodities and means of transportation.

Article 153. Term of temporary storage

Term of temporary storage is established by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic based on time required for presentation of customs declaration, nature of commodity and used means of transportation. Specified term may be prolonged by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Full term of storage of commodities and means of transportation at the warehouse of temporary storage must not exceed two months, and in cases envisaged elsewhere in this Code - specified term. Executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, except for cases of establishment of definite term by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, might further limit periods for storage of commodities of certain categories.(3)

Article 154. Operations with commodities being at the warehouse of temporary storage

The following operations might be implemented with commodities being at the warehouse of temporary storage:

  • visual inspection and measurements made by the owner of the warehouse of temporary storage, other person having authority with respect to commodities, and their representatives;
  • taking samples and specimens of commodities with the permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic;
  • other operations necessary for preservation of commodities in unchanged state, including correction of damaged packaging.

Chapter 24. Customs broker

Article 155. Activity of customs broker

Enterprises - legal entities which obtained license of the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic may act as customs broker (intermediary).

Customs broker established in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic carries out its activity in line with this Code and regulations approved by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Relationship of customs broker with represented person are based on the certified agreement.

Article 156. License allowing to act as a customs broker

The following requirements should be met to obtain a license authorising to carry out activity as a customs broker:

1) to have a staff specialist on customs clearing, who has got qualification certificate;

2) to conclude agreement on occupancy insurance, sum of insurance being not less than 10000-fold minimum wages according to legislation;

3) have all required facilities sufficient for implementation of activity of customs broker;

4) to have all conditions allowing to carry out accounting and reports, clearly and comprehensively reflecting operations with commodities being under the customs control.

Procedure of issuance of license for implementation of activity in the role of customs broker is established by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic. Looking into applications for broker activity, issuance of licenses and determination of the term of its validity will be done by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

License is annulled if it was issued based on untrue information, or against established regulations. Decision about annulment takes effect from the date of issuance of said license.

License might be recalled by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic in the following cases:

1) repeated non-implementation by the customs broker of his obligations;

2) repeated infringement of the law;

3) significant harm done to represented person by way of illegal use of information which presents commercial secret, or is confidential;

4) declaration of insolvency or bankruptcy of customs broker;

5) use of services of the specialist without qualification certificate, or deprived of such certificate, specialist whose qualification certificate has been annulled, recalled, recognised invalid, or suspended;

6) violation of tax legislation or other legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Recall is valid from the day when decision about recall is taken.

Repeated application about issuance of license may be considered after two years from the day when decision about annulment or recall of license is taken, provided that causes of such annulment or recall are eliminated.

Whenever there are sufficient grounds to believe that customs broker abuses his power, executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic will have the right to annul license or to suspend it for a term of up to three months.

Article 157. Rights and obligations of customs broker

Customs broker has the right to carry out any operations on customs clearing and other intermediary functions in the sphere of customs business in his (its) own name at the expense and on behalf of represented person.

When carrying out customs control and customs clearing, customs broker implements all obligations and nears responsibility as if he himself transported commodities through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Relationship of customs broker with customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, his rights, obligations and responsibility cannot be limited by agreement with represented person.

Article 158. State register of customs brokers

Executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic keeps state register of customs brokers and provides its periodic publications.

Article 159. Specialists in customs clearing

Specialist having qualification certificate of the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic will be authorised to accomplish operations of customs clearing on behalf of customs broker.

When specialist mentioned above in this article carries out operations on customs clearing on behalf of customs broker, it will be assumed that this specialist has been authorised by customs broker if the latter does not prove otherwise.

Customs broker cannot restrict obligations of specialists in customs clearing with respect to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Procedure of issuance of qualification certificate, term of its activity and requirements of specialist in customs clearing are defined by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Qualification certificate of specialist in customs clearing may be annulled in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic if it was issued based on untrue information, or against established regulations.

According to legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic qualification certificate of specialist in customs clearing might be recalled if the specialist:

1) repeatedly failed to fulfil its obligations with respect to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic;

2) was found guilty in forgery of documents, theft, bribery, and also repeated infringement of legislation in relation with this Code;

3) caused serious damage to represented person by way of illegal use of commercial secrets and confidential information;

4) violated or failed to fulfil requirements of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic;

5) violated tax and other legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Recall is valid from the day when decision about recall has been taken.

Effect of qualification certificate may be suspended by relevant executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic for a term of up to two months.

Specialist in customs clearing might be deprived of qualification certificate by decision of the law court.

Repeated application about issuance of qualification certificate may be considered after six months from the day of its annulment, recall or decision about its invalidity, provided that causes of such acts are eliminated or after expire of term specified by the law court.

Article 160. Fees for issuance of license, qualification certificate and their re-activation

Rate of fees for license on implementation of activity as customs broker, qualification certificate of specialist in customs clearing, and also for re-activation of the license is established by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

On annulment, recall or suspension of the license on implementation of activity as customs broker, annulment, recall, decision about invalidity, suspension or decision of the law court to deprive the specialist in customs clearing of qualification certificate, fee for issuance of license, qualification certificate and their re-activation shall not be reimbursed.

Article 161. Customs broker and his (its) personnel and information received from represented person

Information received by customs broker and his (its) personnel from represented person for customs purposes shall not be used for other purposes.

Information constituting banking, commercial or other secret which has been received by customs broker and his (its) personnel from represented person for customs purposes shall not be used for their own purposes, be disclosed to the third parties except cases envisaged by legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Chapter 25. Customs carrier

Article 162. Activity of customs carrier

Enterprises - legal entities which have been established in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic and obtained license of the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic may act as customs carriers.

Customs carrier carries out its activity in line with this Code and regulations approved by the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Relationship of customs carrier with represented person are based on the certified agreement.

Article 163. License allowing to act as customs carrier

The following requirements should be met to obtain a license authorising to carry out activity of customs carrier:

1) to own means of transportation duly equipped, in compliance with requirements of the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic and in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic on customs activity;

2) to conclude insurance contract on occupancy, sum of insurance being not less than 1000-fold minimum wages;

3) to own or to rent for a period of at least three years sufficient number of acceptable means of transportation and to provide arrival of at least one means of transportation to a place of customs clearing in the area of activity of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic issues license for implementation of activity of customs carrier and establishes term of its validity.

License for implementation of activity as a customs carrier may be annulled, recalled or suspended by the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

License is annulled in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic

if it was issued based on untrue information, or against established regulations.

License is recalled in the following cases:

1) use of means of transportation which are not equipped as required, including if transportation fee does not conform to average cost of rendered service; repeated non-implementation of obligations of customs carrier including unjustified refusals to transport commodities and accompanying documents;

2) repeated infringement of the law specified in this Code;

3) significant harm done to shipper of commodities and accompanying documents, including illegal use of information which constitutes commercial or other secret.

Recall is valid from the day when decision about such recall is taken.

Executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic may suspend force of the license for a term of up to three months if customs carrier abuses its rights.

Application about issuance of new license (renewal) may be considered after one year from the day when decision about annulment or recall of license has been taken, provided that causes of such annulment or recall are eliminated.

Rate of fees for a license on implementation of activity as customs carrier, and also for its renewal is established by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

On annulment, recall or suspension of the license fee for issuance of license and its renewal shall not be reimbursed.

Article 164. Registration of customs carriers and relevant information

Customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic carries out registration of customs carriers whose intention is to implement such functions in the sphere of activity of this customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic and possessing required potential. Registration is done based on application of customs carrier.

Said customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic publishes list of registered customs carriers.

Article 165. Customs carriers and information received from the shipper of commodities and accompanying documents

Information received from the shipper of commodities and accompanying documents, which constitutes banking, commercial or other secret protected by law, should not be disclosed, used by the customs carrier and its personnel for their own purposes, passed to the third parties except cases envisaged by legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Chapter 26. Declaring (entry)

Article 166. Declaring of commodities, means of transportation and its forms

Commodities and means of transportation being transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, commodities and means of transportation with variable customs conditions and also other commodities and means of transportation in cases specified by acts of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic should be declared (entered) at the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Entry of commodities is done by way of statement in an established form (written, oral, E-mail or otherwise) with exact data on commodities and means of transportation, their customs regulations and other information required for customs purposes.

Form and procedure of entry and also list of data required for customs purposes are defined by the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 167. Place of declaring

Commodities are declared at the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic where customs clearing is done.

Means of transportation carrying commodities are declared simultaneously with commodities, except cases envisaged in the third paragraph of this article.

Sea, river and air vessels are declared in the port or airport of destination at the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, or in the port or airport of departure from the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Empty means of transportation and those transporting passengers are declared when crossing the border of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 168. Term of presentation of customs declaration

Customs declaration is presented within the term specified by the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic. This term should not exceed 10 days from the date of declaration of commodities and means of transportation which carry commodities at the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

When physical persons take commodities through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, with purposes other than commercial, as a hand luggage and accompanied luggage, customs declaration is presented simultaneously with commodities.

Empty means of transportation and means of transportation with passengers entering customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic and leaving said territory should be declared within a term specified by legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

This term might be extended in an order specified by the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 169. Declaring person

Person which transfers commodities and means of transportation or customs broker may be declaring person.

Declaring person fulfils all obligations and bears full responsibility, as specified in this Code, irrespective of the fact whether he (it) is the person transferring commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, or customs broker.

Article 170. Obligations and rights of declaring person

When declaring commodities and means of transportation declaring person must:

  • declare commodities and means of transportation in an order specified in this Code;
  • at request of the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic submit commodities and means of transportation;
  • present to the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic documents and additional information required for customs purposes;
  • pay customs charges;
  • assist customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in implementation of customs clearing, including any handling operations, etc.

Apart from other rights envisaged by this Code, before the customs declaration is submitted, declaring person has the right to inspect and to measure commodities and means of transportation, and also, with permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, to take samples and specimens of commodities.

Article 171. Documents and additional information required for customs purposes

Customs declaration presented to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic should be accompanied by other documents required for customs purposes.

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic have the right to check data contained in customs declaration and presented documents, to request other additional information with customs purposes.

List of said documents and additional data is specified by the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic have the right not to accept customs declaration and if some documents and data are lacking, to establish term for their presentation.

With permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic customs documents may be presented in a foreign language known to the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 172. Acceptance of customs declaration

Presented customs declaration is accepted by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic. This procedure is specified by the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

From the moment of acceptance of customs declaration it becomes legal document witnessing specific facts.

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic have no right to refuse in acceptance of declaration.

Article 173. Changes, amendments and withdrawal of customs declaration

With the permit of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, data given in customs declaration may be changed, amended, and submitted customs declaration itself - may be withdrawn.

Change, amendment and withdrawal might be done before the check of customs declaration and beginning of customs inspection of commodities and means of transportation, and also verification by the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic whether data specified in declaration are true.

Changes or amendments of customs declaration will neither broaden, no restrict sphere of its application.

Executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic have no right, at their own initiative, on behalf or by request of persons, to fill in customs declaration, to change or to amend data specified in customs declaration, except those which pertain to the competence of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 174. Temporary or incomplete customs declaration

If declaring person, due to specific reasons cannot present complete customs declaration, customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic are authorised to permit presentation of temporary or incomplete customs declaration. Whereas temporary or incomplete customs declaration must include major information required for customs purposes, and missing data should submitted within a term established by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, in an order specified by the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 175. Periodic customs declaration

In case of regular transfers of similar commodities and means of transportation by one and the same person, customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic may permit presentation of one periodic customs declaration on all commodities and means of transportation being transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic within the specified term.

Cases and procedure of presentation of periodic customs declaration are specified by the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 176. Simplified procedure of declaring commodities and means of transportation

Executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic has the right to establish simplified procedure of declaring commodities and means of transportation.


Section V
Customs control

Chapter 27. General

Article 177. Implementation of customs control and its forms

Customs control is carried out by executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic in the following forms:

  • checking documents and data required for customs purposes;
  • customs inspection (inspection of commodities and means of transportation, personal inspection as an exceptional form of customs control);
  • accounting (registration of commodities and means of transportation);
  • oral questioning physical persons and executives;
  • check of the system of accountancy and reporting;
  • inspection of territories and depots of warehouses of temporary storage, customs warehouses, free warehouses, free customs zones, duty-free shops and other places with commodities and means of transportation which are subject to customs control, or where activity liable to customs control is implemented;
  • other forms envisaged in this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic on customs, or forms which do not contradict legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Technical means used for customs control should be safe for life and health of human beings, plants and animals, and must not cause damage to commodities and means of transportation.

Procedure of customs control is defined by the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

When carrying out customs control, illegal harm to persons, their commodities and means of transportation should not be caused.

Customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executives guilty in illegal harm shall bear responsibility in accordance with legislation.

Damage caused by righteous actions of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic will not be reimbursed.

Article 178. Zones of customs control

Along the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, in places of customs clearing, location of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and in other places as specified by the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic zones of customs control are established and regulations procedures are identified, in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Procedure of establishment and designation of zones of customs control is specified by the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic. Implementation of productive and other commercial activity, transfer of commodities, means of transportation of legal entities and physical persons, including executives and other state bodies, through the borders of such zones and within their limits is carried out only by permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic and under their control, except cases directly indicated in legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 179. Documents and data required for customs control

Persons transporting commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic or carrying out activity which is subject to control of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic must submit of these authorities documents and data required for customs control.

List of documents and data, and procedure of their presentation are specified by the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic in compliance with this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

To carry out customs control, customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic have the right to receive from banks and other credit organisations information and references (statements) about operations and status of accounts of persons transporting commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, customs brokers or other persons carrying out activity which is subject to control of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Other bodies of protection of public order of the Azerbaijan Republic, tax and other control bodies, at their own initiative or at request of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic issue information required for customs control.

Documents required for customs control should be kept by legal entities and physical persons at least three years.

Article 180. Enlistment of specialists and experts for assistance in implementation of customs control

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic have the right to enlist, in line with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, specialists from other bodies on protection of public order, control bodies, enterprises, organisations and companies, irrespective of form of property, subordinance, and experts for assistance in implementation of customs control.

Specialists and experts working in state bodies, enterprises, companies and organisations enlisted to participation of customs control will be still getting average monthly wages at their permanent place of work. Costs of enlistment of specialists and experts, including travelling costs, accommodation, per diem and fee, if implemented work does not constitute part of responsibilities of specialists and experts employed permanently in state bodies, enterprises, companies and organisations will be reimbursed in line with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Request of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic about enlistment of specialist or expert for assistance in implementation of customs control.

shall be considered by the head of state body, enterprise, company or organisation where said specialist or expert works.

Article 181. Access of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic to the territory and premises for implementation of customs control

With the purposes of customs control, executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic have the right, based on their certificate of employment, of access to the territory and premises of any persons where there are commodities and means of transportation liable to such control, documents required for customs control, or places where activity within the competence of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic takes place, except cases envisaged by legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic or international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 182. Identification of commodities, means of transportation and premises and other places

Means of transportation, premises and other places where there could be commodities and means of transportation which are subject to customs control, and also places where activity within the competence of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic takes place, commodities and means of transportation under the customs control might be identified by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Identification can be done by means of affixing seals, marking (figures and letters), identification codes, putting stamps and seals; taking samples and specimens, description of commodities and means of transportation, preparing drawings, scale sketches, photographs, illustrations, use of documents accompanying commodities and other identification means.

Means of identification may be changed or destroyed only by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, or with their permit, except cases where there is real danger of destruction, irretrievable loss or damage to commodities and means of transportation. Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic should be immediately notified about existence of such danger.

Article 183. Inspection of financial-economic activity

Whenever there are enough reasons to believe that legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic and international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic which are under control of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic are not observed or are not fully observed, customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, within the limits of its authority, will have the right to apply to relevant executive power body with request about inspection of financial-economic activity of persons, taking commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, customs brokers and persons implementing activity which is subject to control by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 184. Choosing forms of customs control

As a rule, when carrying out customs control, customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic use those forms which are sufficient for observance of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic on customs, other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic and international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic which fall under the competence of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Non-use of other forms of customs control or exemption therefrom shall mean that persons are released from observance of provisions of this Code, other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic and international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Whenever necessary, customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic may use all forms of customs control mentioned in this Code, except cases specified in article 185.

Article 185. Exemption from certain forms of customs control

Exemption from certain forms of customs control is specified exclusively by this Code.

Personal luggage of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic and members of his family travelling with him is exempted from customs inspection.

Personal luggage of deputies of Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic, Authorized Human Rights Representative (ombudsman) of the Azerbaijan Republic and members of Cabinet of Ministers is exempted from customs inspection if said persons are crossing customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic when fulfilling their deputy or service functions.

Exemption from customs inspection of foreign Navy vessels, military and military-transport air vessels and also military technique following their route is controlled by intergovernmental agreement.

Exemption from certain forms of customs inspection in accordance with intergovernmental agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic is accomplished after ratification of said agreements.(7)

Article 186. Personal examination

Personal examination, as an exceptional form of customs inspection might be applied by decision of the head of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic if there are enough reasons to believe that physical person passing the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic or being in a zone of customs control or transit zone of international airport is hiding and would not submit commodities, which violates legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic or international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic, the latter being under the control of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Before personal examination begins, officer of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic must inform physical person about decision of head of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, or his deputy, to carry out personal examination, to advise said physical person about his rights and responsibilities during this examination and to offer to give out hidden commodities or items voluntarily.

Personal examination is implemented by executives of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic of the same sex with the person being examined in a presence of two witnesses of same sex in closed room, of required sanitary-hygienic requirements. Access to this room of other physical persons and possibility of their presence during examination are ruled out. Examination of the body of person can be only done by medic.

Protocol on personal examination is prepared in accordance with the form specified by the executive power body which carries out customs activity in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Protocol is signed by the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who carried out personal examination, physical person who was examined, witnesses and when the body of the person was examined - also by medic. Physical person who had to undergo personal examination has the right to make a statement in the protocol.

Chapter 28. Additional data on customs control over commodities and means of transportation being transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic

Article 187. Implementation of customs control over commodities and means of transportation

All commodities and means of transportation being transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic are subject to customs control, except cases envisaged in this Code.

Handling and other operations with commodities and means of transportation, taking samples and specimens for accomplishment of customs control shall be done in accordance with articles 132 and 133 of this Code.

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic have the right to stop and turn back mans of transportation, sea, river and air vessels which have left customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic without permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, except foreign vessels and vessels being on the territory of other countries.

Article 188. Time of staying under the customs control

Commodities and means of transportation are under the customs control from the moment when it begins and till it is completed, in accordance with customs regulations.

In case of import customs control begins from the moment of crossing of the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic by commodities and means of transportation.

In case of export customs control begins from the moment of acceptance of customs declaration.

Customs control ends at the moment of issuance of commodities and means of transportation, if not specified otherwise in this Code.

On issuance of commodities and means of transportation being exported outside the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, customs control ends at the moment of crossing of the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic by said commodities and means of transportation.

Legal entities and physical persons must observe requirements about minimum term required for implementation of customs control. Said requirements are established by the executive power body which carries out customs activity in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Damage done to legal entity and physical person as a result of failure to observe such requirements will not be reimbursed.

Article 189. Customs control after the issuance of commodities and means of transportation

Irrespective of issuance of commodities and means of transportation customs control over them may be carried out at any time, if there are sufficient reasons to assume violation of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic or international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic which are subject to control of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

In considered case customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic have the right to check existence of commodities and means of transportation, to carry on their repeated customs examination, to re-check data specified in customs declaration, to check documents and other information related to foreign-economic and subsequent commercial operations with these commodities. Said check might be done on places of staying of declaring person or any other person, which directly or indirectly are related to said operations, and have necessary documents. Where violations have been found, involved persons will be responsible in accordance with this Code.

Article 190. Term of check of customs declaration, documents and examination of commodities and means of transportation

Check of customs declaration, documents and examination of commodities and means of transportation are carried out by customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic within ten days from the moment of acceptance of customs declaration and respective documents, and as per commodities mentioned in article 131 of this Code - within three days.

Where presentation of commodities and means of transportation is required, said terms are determined from the moment of such presentation.

Said terms do not include time required for implementation of control over commodities and means of transportation by other state bodies.

Article 191. Presence of declaring person, other persons having authority regarding commodities and means of transportation and their representatives during examination of commodities and means of transportation

Declaring person, other persons having authority regarding commodities and means of transportation and their representatives have the right to be present during examination of commodities and means of transportation by their own initiative.

At request of executives of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic said persons must be present during such examination and render necessary assistance to executives of the customs body. When there is no representative specially appointed by carrier, captain of the vessel, driver of vehicle or other physical person driving the vehicle shall be regarded as such.

Customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic has the right to carry on examination of commodities and means of transportation in the absence of declaring person, other persons having authority with respect to commodities and means of transportation and their representatives in the following cases:

  • if said persons fail to appear on expire of ten days after the presentation of commodities and means of transportation;
  • where there is threat to state safety, public order, life and health of people, danger for animals and plants, environment, need to protect artistic, historical and archaeological wealth of the Azerbaijan people and other countries, and other urgent circumstances;
  • when sending commodities by international mail;
  • when commodities and means of transportation are left at customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic in violation of customs regulations.

Examination of commodities and means of transportation in said cases is carried out in the presence of persons disinterested in results of inspection.

Article 192. Inventory of commodities and means of transportation being under the customs control

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic have the right to make inventory of commodities and means of transportation being under the customs control at any time, and also inventory of commodities for which customs charges have not been paid or customs privileges have not been provided.


Section VI
Currency (exchange) control

Chapter 29. Control over currency implemented by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic

Article 193. Implementation of control over currency by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic

One of the bodies carrying out control over currency in the Azerbaijan Republic is the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Other customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic are agents of currency (exchange) control subordinate to the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic carry out control over currency (exchange) related to customs business, in compliance with legislation on currency (exchange) and this Code.

Functions and authority of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic mentioned in the second paragraph of this article when carrying out control over currency are defined by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic. (10)

Article 194. Authority of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic in the sphere of currency (exchange) control

Customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic carry out currency control over individual persons transferring through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, except perimeters of free customs zones and free warehouses, national currency of the Azerbaijan Republic, securities in national currency of the Azerbaijan Republic and other currencies, currency values and also control over currency operations related to transfer of commodities and means of transportation through the customs border.

Article 195. Responsibility for violation of law revealed during implementation of currency control by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic

When customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic establish violations of legislation in the course of implementation of currency control, involved persons shall be responsible in accordance with legislation of Azerbaijan Republic. (10)


Section VII
Customs privileges for some categories of foreign persons (entities)

Chapter 30. Customs privileges for representations of foreign states and their employees, and other foreign persons (entities)

Article 196. Customs privileges for diplomatic representations of foreign states

Diplomatic representations of foreign states on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, when observing established order of movement of commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic may import to the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic and export from this territory commodities intended for official use by representations, with exemption from customs duties, taxes and other customs charges, except payments for storage, customs clearing outside special allocated places or after the normal working hours of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, and other similar services.

Article 197. Customs privileges for head of diplomatic representation of foreign state and members of diplomatic personnel of representation

Head of diplomatic representation of foreign state and members of diplomatic personnel of representation, and members of their families staying with them may bring to the Azerbaijan Republic commodities intended for their personal use, including commodities for initial setting-up, and to take out the Azerbaijan Republic commodities for their personal use, with observance of established order of transfer of commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic and with exemption from customs duties, taxes and other customs payments, except payment for storage, customs clearing of commodities outside special allocated places or after the normal working hours of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, and other similar services.

Personal luggage of the head of diplomatic representation of foreign state, members of diplomatic personnel of representation, and members of their families staying with them is exempted from customs examination. Whenever there are serious grounds to believe that luggage of said persons contains commodities which are not intended for personal use, commodities prohibited for import or export under the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic and international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic, or are subordinate to any other regulations, customs control should be done in the presence of persons mentioned in this chapter or their authorised representatives.

Article 198. Customs privileges for employees of administration-technical personnel of diplomatic representation of foreign state

Employees of administration-technical personnel of diplomatic representation of foreign state and members of their families staying with them (if said employees and members of their families are not permanent residents of the Azerbaijan Republic) may bring to the Azerbaijan Republic commodities intended for initial setting-up, and to take out the Azerbaijan Republic commodities for their personal use, with exemption from customs duties, except payment for storage, customs clearing of commodities outside special allocated places or after the normal working hours of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, and other similar services.

Article 199. Application of customs privileges granted to members of diplomatic personnel of representations of foreign state to employees of administration-technical personnel of diplomatic representation of foreign state

Based on special agreement with foreign state, customs privileges granted by this Code to members of diplomatic personnel of representation of foreign state may apply to employees of administration-technical personnel and servicing personnel of this diplomatic representation of foreign state, and also to members of their families not living permanently in the Azerbaijan Republic - following principle of mutual interests with every individual foreign state.

Article 200. Customs privileges granted to consular representations of foreign states and members of their personnel

Consular representations of foreign states, executives of consulates, including head of consulate and employees, and also members of their families will enjoy customs privileges as specified in this Code for diplomatic representations of foreign states or relevant personnel of diplomatic representation.

Based on special agreement with foreign state, customs privileges, same as those provided to members of diplomatic personnel of foreign state in compliance with this Code, may be granted to employees of servicing staff of consulates and members of their families not living permanently in the Azerbaijan Republic - following principle of mutual interests with every individual foreign state.

Article 201. Transfer of diplomatic mail and consular valise of foreign states through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic

Diplomatic mail and consular valise of foreign states taken through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic shall be neither opened nor detained. Whenever there are serious grounds to believe that consular valise (bag) contains commodities which are not specified in the third paragraph of this article, customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic will have the right to request that consular valise shall be opened by authorised representatives of represented foreign state in the presence of executives of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic. If case of refusal to open consular valise it will be returned to the point of shipment without opening.

All items constituting diplomatic mail and consular valise should have visible marking specifying their nature.

Diplomatic mail may contain only diplomatic documents and commodities intended for official use, and consular valise - only official correspondence and documents or commodities intended solely for official use.

Article 202. Customs privileges for foreign diplomatic and consular couriers

Foreign diplomatic and consular couriers may bring to the Azerbaijan Republic and take out of the Azerbaijan Republic commodities intended for their personal use, with exemption - based on mutual agreement - from customs examination and customs payments except payment for storage, customs clearing of commodities outside special allocated places or after the normal working hours of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, and other similar services.

Article 203. Customs privileges for representatives and members of delegations of foreign states

Representatives of foreign states, members of parliamentary and governmental delegations, and also - based on mutual agreements - staff of delegations of foreign states arriving in the Azerbaijan Republic for participation in intergovernmental negotiations, international conferences and meetings, or with other official tasks, will enjoy customs privileges which are envisaged in this Code for members of diplomatic personnel of representation of foreign state. Same privileges shall be given to members of families accompanying said persons.

Article 204. Customs privileges for members of diplomatic personnel, executives of consulates, representations of foreign states and members of delegations passing through the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic in transit

Members of diplomatic personnel and executives of consulates of foreign states, members of their families under the article 203 of this Code shall be granted customs privileges envisaged in this Code for members of diplomatic personnel of representation.

Article 205. Customs privileges for international intergovernmental organisations, representations of foreign states under these organisations, and for the personnel of these organisations and representations

Customs privileges for international intergovernmental organisations, representations of foreign states under these organisations, for the personnel of these organisations and representations and members of their families are specified in respective international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic.


Section VIII
Customs statistics and nomenclature of commodities in foreign-economic activity

31. Customs statistics

Article 206. Customs statistics of foreign-economic activity

In order to supply higher state power bodies, other state bodies as specified in legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, with information about state of foreign-economic activity of the Azerbaijan Republic, control over transfers of customs duties, taxes to the budget, currency control, analysis of state and development of foreign trade of the Azerbaijan Republic, customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic carry on accumulation, systematisation of data on transfers of commodities through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic and provide presentation of customs statistics data to relevant bodies and publication of these data.

Customs statistics of foreign-economic activity of the Azerbaijan Republic is carried on in accordance with this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Customs statistics is maintained using international standards, to provide compatibility of international data and data of state statistical control existing in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 207. Special customs statistics

To solve tasks assigned to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, these bodies maintain special customs statistics in compliance with instructions of the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 208. Documents and data used for statistical purposes

Documents and data for statistical purposes are compiled in accordance with provisions of this Code regarding implementation of customs clearing and customs examination.

Information compiled with the purposes of statistics is confidential and is subject to provisions of article 16 of this Code.

Article 209. Responsibility for violations of procedures on customs statistics

In accordance with this Code, legal entities and physical persons are responsible for violations related to implementation of customs statistics.

Chapter 32. Keeping nomenclature of commodities in foreign-economic activity

Article 210. Keeping nomenclature of commodities in foreign-economic activity

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic maintain nomenclature of commodities in foreign-economic activity. With this intention, customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic:

  • provide monitoring of changes and amendments in international basis of nomenclature of commodities in foreign-economic activity, international explanations and other decisions concerning this basis;
  • bring nomenclature of commodities in foreign-economic activity into correspondence with its international basis;
  • provide publication of nomenclature of commodities in foreign-economic activity;
  • develop and approve explanations and other decisions on nomenclature of commodities in foreign-economic activity and provide publication of these explanation;
  • provide implementation of other functions required for maintenance of said nomenclature.

Article 211. Classification of commodities

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic classify commodities, i.e. relate specific commodities with positions indicated in nomenclature of commodities in foreign-economic activity.

Decisions of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic about classification of commodities are obligatory. Decisions of other bodies and organisations on classification of commodities shall not be recognised as a basis with the purposes of customs business.

Article 212. Additional authorities of the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic in the sphere of nomenclature of commodities in foreign-economic activity

Executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic represents Azerbaijanian side in international organisations involved in customs business, concerning development, changes, amendments, explanations and use of international basis of nomenclature of commodities in foreign-economic activity.

Executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic may take part in preparation of proposals on changes and amendments in nomenclature of commodities in foreign-economic activity approved by relevant executive power body.


Section IX
Crime in the sphere of customs business. Inquiry, investigation and search activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic (12)

Chapter 33. Contraband (smuggling) and other crime in the sphere of customs business - is null and void according to the Law ¹ 183-IIGD of 5 October, 2001 (2)

Chapter 34. Institution of inquiry and investigation by customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic (12)

Article 217. Institution of inquiry and investigation by customs bodies

Customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic are bodies which carry out inquiries and investigation on crime in the sphere of customs business.

Institution of inquiry and investigation by customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic shall be regulated by the Procedural-Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic. (12)

Article 218. Consideration of applications and information about committed, being committed and prepared crimes

Applications and information about committed, being committed and prepared crimes are considered by customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic in compliance with criminal legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Chapter 35. Operative-search activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Article 219. Operative-search activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic carry out operative-search activity with the purpose to find persons who committed, are committing or are preparing illegal actions which are recognised by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic as crime. Inquiries and investigation under such actions pertain to competence of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also when there are requests of international customs organisations, customs and other competent authorities of foreign countries in accordance with international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic on customs activity. (12)

Article 220. Implementation of operative-search activity by customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Customs bodies carry out operative-search activity in accordance with the Procedural-Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic, Law of the Azerbaijan Republic "On operative-search activity" and other relevant legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic. (12)

Article 221. Operative-search measures providing self-safety of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Operative-search measures providing self-safety of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic are carried out in line with provisions of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Chapter 36. Controlled deliveries of narcotic and psychotropic substances

Article 222. Stopping illegal circulation of narcotic and psychotropic substances

In order to stop international illegal circulation of narcotic and psychotropic substances and to reveal persons participating in such circulation, customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in each individual case, in accordance with agreements with customs and other competent authorities of foreign countries, or based on international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic, use method of controlled deliveries, i.e. allow under their control deliveries into Azerbaijan Republic, export from the Azerbaijan Republic or transit through its territory of narcotic and psychotropic substances, included into illegal circulation.

Decision about use of method of controlled deliveries is taken by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

If decision about use of method of controlled deliveries is taken, if the point of destination of narcotics and psychotropic substances is foreign state, criminal proceedings will not be initiated in the Azerbaijan Republic, and General Solicitor (Public Prosecutor) of the Azerbaijan Republic will be immediately notified about taken decision in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 223. Use of method of controlled deliveries with respect to other articles

Method of controlled delivery might be used with respect to other articles, being an instrument or means of crime implementation, and also other articles received in a criminal way.

Decision about use of method of controlled deliveries with respect to these articles is taken by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, with immediate notification of General Solicitor (Public Prosecutor) of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 224. Disposal of money resources and property confiscated as a result of use of method of controlled deliveries

Money received from sale of property confiscated by law courts of the Azerbaijan Republic and foreign countries in criminal proceedings, where method of controlled deliveries was applied. will be distributed between the countries whose customs authorities and other competent bodies participated in use of said method, in compliance with agreement between the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic and competent authorities of foreign countries.


Section X
Violations of customs regulations and responsibility for these violations. Proceedings on violations of customs regulations and their consideration

Chapter 37. General

Article 225. Violation of customs regulations

Illegal actions and inactivity of person leading to violation of procedure of transfer (including use of customs regulations), customs control and customs clearing of commodities and means of transportation transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, imposition of customs duties and their payment, granting customs privileges and their use in compliance with respective laws of the Azerbaijan Republic, this Code, Law of the Azerbaijan Republic «On customs tariff», other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic concerning customs and international agreements are recognised as violation of customs regulations and stipulate the responsibility according to the laws of the Azerbaijan Republic and this Code. (2)

Article 226. Responsibility of persons who violated customs regulation

Persons who violated customs borders will be responsible in accordance with this Code, and as for the issues which are not covered by provisions of this Code - in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic on administrative crime.

Physical persons are responsible for violation of customs regulations if to the moment of crime their age is sixteen years.

Executives are responsible for violation of customs regulations if at the moment of crime their office responsibilities envisaged observance of provisions of this Code, and also other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic on customs and international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic which are subject to control by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Physical persons and legal entities are responsible for violation of customs regulations if they committed crime or were inactive - deliberately, or through carelessness.

Enterprises, companies and organisations, and also persons carrying out business activity without establishment of legal entity are responsible for violation of customs regulations, except cases when crime took place as a result of force majeure circumstances.

Calling to account of persons mentioned in the sixth paragraph of this article shall not release from responsibility their executives and other employees for violation of customs regulations.

Institution of criminal proceedings against crime in the sphere of customs business of executives and other employees shall not release the enterprise, company and organisation, and also person carrying out business activity without establishment of legal entity, from responsibility for violation of customs regulations.

Imposition of punishment measures for violation of customs regulations does not release persons against whom proceedings have been instituted from payment of customs duties and fulfillment of other provisions of this Law.

Article 227. Responsibility of military men and other persons who are subject to drill regulations for violation of customs regulations

Soldiers of Military Forces of the Azerbaijan Republic, frontier guards and internal military formations, and also other military formations as envisaged by legislation, citizens called to annual camps, and also soldiers and officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic, employees of the Ministry of National Security are responsible for violation of customs regulations equally with others.

Military formations and other military groups of the Azerbaijan Republic with the status of legal entity, bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic, bodies of Ministry of National Security are responsible for violation of customs regulations equally with others and in compliance with provisions of this Code.

Article 228. Responsibility of foreign legal entities and physical persons

Foreign legal entities and physical persons are responsible for violation of customs regulations equally with legal entities and physical persons of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 229. Realisation of legislation on responsibility for violation of customs regulations

Persons who committed violation of customs regulations will bear responsibility based on legislation existing at the moment of crime.

Acts alleviating or annulling responsibility for violation of customs regulations have retroactive effect, i.e. they also apply to crime committed before said acts have been issued.

Acts establishing or aggravating responsibility for violation of customs regulations shall not have retroactive effect.

Proceedings on cases of violation of customs regulations and their consideration are carried on based on legislation existing at the time when this case is investigated by the law court.

Article 230. Irresponsibility

Physical person who at the moment of violation of customs regulations was not answerable for his actions, i.e. could not understand meaning of his actions or control himself due to chronic mental illness, temporal psychic disorder, weak mind, etc. is not responsible.

Article 231. Circumstances alleviating responsibility for violation of customs regulations

The followings are regarded as circumstances alleviating responsibility for violation of customs regulations:

1) active assistance in solution of the case;

2) voluntary elimination of harmful after-effects of crime;

3) criminal action accomplished under the threat or force, or because of material, occupancy and other dependence;

4) perpetration of crime by persons under age, pregnant woman or woman with a baby under one year.

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic investigating a case on violation of customs regulations may also recognise as alleviating circumstances not specified in this article.

Article 232. Circumstances aggravating responsibility for violation of customs regulations

The followings are regarded as circumstances aggravating responsibility for violation of customs regulations:

1) continuation of unlawful behaviour despite requests of the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic to stop it;

2) repeated violation of customs regulations within a year;

3) violation of customs regulations by a person who earlier committed crime in the sphere of customs business;

4) involvement of a person under age in violation of customs regulations;

5) violation of customs regulations by a group of persons;

6) violation of customs regulations in conditions of natural calamity or other force majeure circumstances;

7) violation of customs regulations in a state of intoxication.

Article 233. Imposition of penalties

Whenever one legal entity and physical person commits two and more unlawful violations of customs regulations penalty is imposed for each unlawful action separately, without replacement of less severe punishment with more severe.

Article 234. Imposition of less severe measure of punishment than that envisaged in this Code

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic investigating a case on violation of customs regulations, having considered circumstances significantly alleviating degree of public danger of committed act, or inactivity, and also personality of guilty person and recognising that the penalty imposed should be less than the minimum envisaged in this Code for such unlawful action, may accept such alleviation, with obligatory indication of its motives (except circumstances specified in article 232).

Following the same reasons, additional investigation of unlawful violation of customs regulations, which in accordance with this section is obligatory, may be avoided.

Article 235. Exemption from responsibility for violation of customs regulations

If before investigation on violation of customs regulations began, or decision concerning this case was put for execution, it was recognised that actions or inactivity of the delinquent stopped presenting public threat, said person will be released from responsibility, except circumstances specified in article 232 of this Code.

With minor violations of customs regulations, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is investigating the case may release the delinquent and end up with oral warning.

Article 236. Term, on expiration of which punished person is regarded non-penalised

If a person submitted to penalty for violation of customs regulations does not commit other violation of customs regulations within a year from the day when the punishment ended, this person will be recognised as if non-penalised.

Article 237. Types of punishment for violation of customs regulations

The following types of punishment are imposed for violation of customs regulations:

1) warning;

2) penalty;

3) recall of license or qualification certificate issued by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic on implementation of some kinds of activity envisaged by this Code;

4) confiscation of commodities and means of transportation being direct objects of violation of customs regulations, commodities and means of transportation with specially arranged hiding places, used for transfer through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic with concealed commodities being direct objects of violation of customs regulations;

5) exaction of cost of commodities and means of transportation being direct objects of violation of customs regulations, commodities and means of transportation with specially arranged hiding-places, used for transfer through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic with concealed commodities being direct objects of violation of customs regulations;

6) confiscation of means of transportation used for transfer of commodities being direct objects of violation of customs regulations.

Article 238. Penalty

On imposition of punishment in the form of penalty established based on minimum wages, by minimum wages we shall mean minimum wages in accordance with legislation on a day of unlawful action, and if such day is impossible to establish - on a day when said unlawful action was revealed.

When punishment is imposed in the form of penalty established based on cost of commodities and means of transportation, by cost of these articles we shall mean their free (market) price on a day when said unlawful action was revealed.

Article 239. Recall of the license and qualification certificate

Recall of the license and qualification certificate might be applied as an additional punishment on the owners of customs warehouses, duty-free shops, free warehouses, warehouses of temporary storage and also customs brokers, customs carriers or specialists on customs clearing if said unlawful actions have been committed with respect to activity carried out by said persons under the license or qualification certificate.

Article 240. Recovery of cost of commodities and means of transportation

By recovery of cost of commodities and means of transportation being direct objects of violation of customs regulations, commodities and means of transportation with specially arranged hiding-places, used for transfer through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic with concealed commodities being direct objects of violation of customs regulations, we shall mean forcible withdrawal of sum of money constituting free (market) price of such commodities and means of transportation on a day when said unlawful action was revealed. This withdrawal shall be used as primary, or additional penalty.

Article 241. Violation of customs regulations committed by several accomplices

Deliberate joint participation in violation of customs regulations of two and more physical persons is recognised as complicity in unlawful action.

Organisers, instigators and accomplices are recognised accomplices in violation of customs regulations alongside with executors.

Executor is the person who directly committed violation of customs regulations, or directly participated in its accomplishment, together with other persons, and also person who committed this unlawful action through other persons who are not responsible for violation of customs regulations.

Organiser is the person who organised violation of customs regulations or directed its implementation.

Instigator is the person who persuaded to violation of customs regulations.

Accomplice is a person assisted in violation of customs regulations with advises, instructions on elimination of obstacles, and also a person who beforehand promised to hide instruments and means of crime, or articles being direct objects of violation of customs regulations.

Article 242. Term for imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations

Penalties envisaged in paragraphs 1-3 of article 237 of this Code should be imposed on physical persons or executives not later than two months from the day when said violations have been revealed, penalties on enterprises, companies and organisations and also persons carrying out business activity without establishment of legal entity should be imposed not later than one year from the day when violations have been revealed.

Penalties envisaged in paragraphs 4-6 of article 237 of this Code are imposed irrespective of the fact if they are major or additional penalties, or irrespective of the time of accomplishment of violation of customs regulations or its discovery.

In case of refusal to institute proceedings or closure of criminal case, but with evidence of violation of customs regulations, term of imposition of penalty is estimated from the moment when customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic are notified about refusal to institute proceedings or closure of criminal case.

Estimation of the term of imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations is interrupted if before the term indicated in the first paragraph of this article expired, the person commits new violation of customs regulations, in which case estimation of the term begins from a moment when new violation of customs regulations is revealed.

Article 243. Observance of legislation when applying measures of punishment for violation of customs regulations

Person committed violation of customs regulations will be punished only in compliance with legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic and based on these acts.

Implementation of proceedings regarding violation of customs regulations and their consideration, and also implementation of directives of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic about imposition of penalties are done strictly on legal base. Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executives shall apply measures of punishment for violation of customs regulations within the limits of their authority, strictly in line with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Observance of requirements of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic when applying measures of penalty for violation of customs regulations is under systematic control of the higher customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executives, Public Prosecutor’s control, there is right of appeal, other mechanisms envisaged by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Chapter 38. Kinds of violation of customs regulations and responsibility

Article 244. Violation of regulations of zone of customs control

Transfer of commodities, means of transportation and persons including executives of state bodies (except customs authorities) through the borders of zone of customs control and within the limits of this zone, and also implementation of productive and other commercial activity without permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, except cases envisaged by legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also other actions violating regime of zone of customs control entails warning or imposition of penalty in the amount from 5 to 15 minimum wages.

Article 245. Non-notification about crossing of customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic when importing commodities and means of transportation

Non-notification of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic about crossing of customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic when importing commodities and means of transportation to the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic entails warning or imposition of penalty in the amount from 2 to 7 minimum wages.

Article 246. Non-notification or unreliable notification about intention to take commodities and means of transportation outside the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic

Non-notification of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic about intention to take commodities and means of transportation outside the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic entails warning or imposition of penalty in the amount from 2 to 10 minimum wages.

Unreliable notification of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic about intention to take commodities and means of transportation outside the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, if such notification has been registered by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in an established order, and also failure to deliver commodities and means of transportation to specified place and in specified time will result in imposition of penalty in the amount from 5 to 15 minimum wages.

Article 247. Failure to take measures in case of accident or force majeure circumstances

Failure to take measures in case of accident or force majeure circumstances to provide safety of commodities and means of transportation accepted for delivery to a place specified by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or transferred as transit, possibility of their illegal use, non-notification of the nearest customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic about circumstances of the case, about location of such commodities and means of transportation, failure to deliver transfer of such commodities and means of transportation to the nearest customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or to bring executives of this body to the place where said commodities and means of transportation are located entails penalty in the amount from 2 to 10 percent of cost of commodities and means of transportation being direct objects of unlawful actions.

Article 248. Failure to present commodities and means of transportation at the point of delivery and failure to submit accompanying documents

Failure to present commodities and means of transportation at the point of delivery and failure to submit accompanying documents to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic entails penalty in the amount from 2 to 10 minimum wages.

Article 249. Issuance, loss or non-delivery of commodities, means of transportation and accompanying documents to the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic without permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic

Issuance without permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, loss or non-delivery of commodities and means of transportation being under the customs control to a place specified by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic entails penalty in the amount from 50 to 100 percent of cost of commodities and means of transportation - direct objects of unlawful actions.

Loss or non-delivery of customs or other documents - accepted for presentation to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic - for commodities and means of transportation being under the customs control entails warning or penalty in the amount from 3 to 50 percent of cost of commodities and means of transportation - with accompanying documents lost or non-delivered.

Failure to observe term of delivery of commodities, means of transportation and accompanying documents entails penalty in the amount from 2 to 10 minimum wages.

Article 250. Refusal to stop means of transportation

Refusal to stop means of transportation passing through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also means of transportation being transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic as commodity in points specified by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic entails warning or penalty in the amount from 2 to 15 minimum wages.

Article 251. Departure of means of transportation without permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic

Departure of means of transportation being under the customs control or means of transportation being transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic as commodity from the place of their parking without permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic entails warning or penalty in the amount from 2 to 15 minimum wages.

Article 252. Mooring to a vessel and other floating facilities being under the customs control

Mooring to a vessel and other floating facilities which are under the customs control of vessels and other floating facilities without permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic entails penalty in the amount from 10 to 20 minimum wages.

Article 253. Violation of procedure of customs clearing

Violation of procedure of customs clearing, i.e. failure to observe established regulations on beginning and end of customs clearing, place, time and procedure of its implementation, or unfounded claims for simplified procedures of customs clearing, and also failure to observe terms of use of this procedure, except cases specified in other articles of this chapter, entails warning or penalty in the amount from 2 to 7 minimum wages, with recall of the license or qualification certificate or without their recall.

Article 254. Illegal operations with commodities and means of transportation with incomplete customs clearing, change of their condition, use and disposal

Implementation of operations with commodities and means of transportation with incomplete customs clearing, change of their condition, use and disposal in breach of established requirements and conditions, except cases specified in other articles of this chapter, entails warning or penalty in the amount from 10 to 100 percent of cost of commodities and means of transportation being direct objects of unlawful actions.

Article 255. Handling and other operations carried out without permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic

Transportation, loading, unloading, handling, packing, correction of defects in packages, repackaging or acceptance for transfer of commodities and means of transportation being under the customs control, taking samples and specimens of such commodities, opening depots and other premises with such commodities and means of transportation without permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic entails penalty in the amount from 10 to 20 minimum wages.

Article 256. Change, elimination, damage or loss of identification marks

Change, elimination, damage or loss of identification marks used by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic entails penalty in the amount from 10 to 20 minimum wages.

Article 257. Violation of procedure of declaring of commodities and means of transportation

Violation of procedure of declaring commodities and means of transportation, i.e. failure to observe established regulations on form and place of declaring, procedure of its implementation (including use of temporal, incomplete or periodic customs declaration when declaring), except cases specified in other articles of this chapter, entails warning or recall of the license or qualification certificate, or imposition of penalty in the amount from 10 to 15 minimum wages.

Article 258. Violation of term of presentation of customs declaration, documents and additional data to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic

Failure to present customs declaration on commodities and means of transportation, documents and additional data required for customs purposes to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in term specified by said customs authorities entails recall of the license or qualification certificate, or imposition of penalty in the amount from 5 to 10 minimum wages.

Article 259. Non-admission of the customs officer of the Azerbaijan Republic to the territory and into premises for implementation of customs control

Non-admission of the customs officer of the Azerbaijan Republic to the territory or into premises where there could be commodities and means of transportation liable to customs control, documents required for such control, or where activity under the control of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic is implemented, entails recall of the license or qualification certificate, or imposition of penalty in the amount from 5 to 15 minimum wages.

Article 260. Failure to present reports to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic and to carry out accounting in an established order

Failure to present to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic required reports on imported, exported, delivered, stored, processed, produced, purchased and sold commodities being under the customs control, or on the territory of free customs zones and free warehouses, and at the same time failure to observe procedure of accounting (registration) of such commodities entails warning, recall of the license or imposition of penalty in the amount from 5 to 20 minimum wages.

Article 261. Violation of regulations on warehouses of temporary storage

Failure to adopt measures on issuance or getting for disposal, in compliance with customs regulations, of commodities and means of transportation if term of their presence in the warehouse of temporary storage exceeded specified storage term, entails confiscation of commodities and means of transportation being direct objects of unlawful actions.

Article 262. Violation of procedures of placement of commodities for storing and implementation of operations with such commodities

Violation of procedure and term of placement of commodities for storing and storage, and also failure to observe specified requirements and conditions of operations with commodities in the customs warehouses, warehouses of temporary storage and free warehouses, except cases envisaged by articles 249, 254, 255, 256, 259 and 261 of this Code involves recall of the license or imposition of penalty in the amount from 10 to 25 minimum wages.

Article 263. Violation of procedure of processing of commodities

Violation of procedure of processing of commodities, i.e. failure to observe established requirements, limitations and conditions of issuance of license on processing of commodities, procedure and term of their processing, volumes of output of products of processing, replacement of products of processing with other products, their exchange for other commodities, implementation of operations on processing of such commodities entails imposition of penalty in the amount from 5 to 10 percent of cost of commodities being an object of unlawful actions.

Article 264. Violation of procedure of productive or other commercial activity in free customs zones and free warehouses

Violation of procedure of productive or other commercial activity in free customs zones and free warehouses entails imposition of penalty in the amount from 5 to 15 minimum wages, with or without recall of the license.

Article 265. Violation of procedure of construction of buildings, premises and structures in free customs zones

Construction of buildings, premises and structures in free customs zones with violation of regulations specified in this Code results in penalty in the amount from 5 to 15 minimum wages, with restoration of the customs zone to its original state at the expense of guilty person.

Article 266. Failure to take out from the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, or to return to this territory commodities and means of transportation

Failure to take out from the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic commodities and means of transportation which have been imported earlier, if such taking-out is mandatory, or non-return to the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic of commodities and return is mandatory, in an established term, whenever there are no signs of crime, entails confiscation of commodities and means of transportation being direct object of unlawful actions, or imposition of penalty in the amount of 50 percent of cost of these commodities and means of transportation.

Submission of forged documents to the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic as a proof of re-export or re-import, or impossibility to do that due to a loss of commodities and means of transportation as a result of accident or force majeure circumstances, normal wear and tear or loss, as a result of illegal actions - according to legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic - of bodies and executives of foreign country, where there are no signs of crime, entails confiscation of commodities and means of transportation being direct object of unlawful actions, or imposition of penalty in the amount of 50 percent of cost of said commodities and means of transportation.

Article 267. Violation of procedure of destruction of commodities

Violation of procedure of destruction of commodities, i.e. non-observance of established regulations and terms of destruction of commodities, placement of wastes formed as a result of such destruction under relevant customs control entails penalty in the amount from 10 to 100 minimum wages.

Article 268. Illegal operations with commodities and means of transportation placed under relevant customs control, change of their condition, use and disposal of these items

Implementation of operations with commodities and means of transportation, change of their condition, use and disposal of these items against established customs regulations, and also non-observance of other limitations, requirements and conditions of customs regulations, except cases envisaged in other articles of this chapter results in confiscation of commodities and means of transportation being direct object of unlawful actions, or imposition of penalty in the amount from 5 to 10 percent of cost of these commodities and means of transportation, with recall of the license or qualification certificate.

Article 269. Non-observance of procedure of use of economic policy measures and other constraints when transferring commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic

Transfer of commodities and means of transportation, which are subject to measures of economic policy and other constraints, through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic against established customs regulations and constraints, except cases envisaged in other articles of this chapter entails confiscation of commodities and means of transportation being direct object of unlawful actions, or imposition of penalty in the amount up to 50 percent of cost of these commodities and means of transportation.

Article 270. Transfer of commodities through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic as commodities for the purposes other than commercial

Transfer of commodities through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic as commodities for the purposes other than commercial, and in reality intended for implementation of productive or other commercial activity, except cases envisaged in article 277 of this Code, where there are no signs of crime, results in penalty in the amount from 50 to 100 percent of cost of these commodities being direct object of unlawful actions.

Article 271. Transfer of commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic avoiding customs control

Transfer of commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic avoiding customs control, i.e. outside places specified by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic or established time, where there are no signs of crime, results in confiscation of commodities and means of transportation being direct object of unlawful actions, or imposition of penalty in the amount from 50 to 100 percent of cost of these commodities and means of transportation.

Article 272. Concealment of commodities transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic from customs control

Concealment of commodities transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic from customs control, i.e. use of special hiding places or other means preventing discovery of commodities, or imparting properties of one commodity to another, with evident signs of crime, results in confiscation of commodities being direct object of unlawful actions, and also commodities and means of transportation with specially arranged hiding places used for transfer through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic with concealment of such commodities, or imposition of penalty in the amount from 50 to 100 percent of cost of commodities being direct object of unlawful action.

Article 273. Transfer of commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic with fraudulent use of documents or identification means

Submission to the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic of forged documents, documents with unreliable information, or documents on other commodities and means of transportation, and also use of forged identification marks, except cases envisaged in articles 274 and 277 of this Code, where there are no signs of crime, results in confiscation of commodities and means of transportation being direct object of unlawful actions, or imposition of penalty in the amount from 50 to 100 percent of cost of such commodities and means of transportation.

Article 274. Failure to declare or unreliable declaring of commodities and means of transportation

Failure to declare or unreliable declaring of commodities and means of transportation being transferred through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, i.e. failure to declare in an established form - in writing, orally or in any other form, or declaration of untrue data concerning commodities and means of transportation, relevant customs regulations and other information required for customs purposes, except cases envisaged in articles 253, 257, 258, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273 and 277 of this Code, where there are no signs of crime, results in confiscation of commodities and means of transportation being direct object of unlawful actions, or recall of license or qualification certificate, or imposition of penalty in the amount from 50 to 100 percent of cost of these commodities and means of transportation.

Submission of untrue data which have no effect on decision taken the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic about transfer of commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic, their placement under the requested customs control, amount of customs charges, results in warning or imposition of penalty in the amount from 10 to 20 minimum wages.

Article 275. Transportation, storage, purchase of commodities and means of transportation brought to the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic with violation of customs regulations, their use or disposal

Transportation, storage, purchase of commodities and means of transportation brought to the customs territory of the Azerbaijan Republic avoiding customs control, or with concealment from such control, or with fraudulent use of documents or identification means, or undeclared or unreliably declared articles, use or disposal of these commodities and means of transportation, and also transportation, storage, purchase of commodities and means of transportation enjoying privileges in customs payments, used or alienated without permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, with the purposes other than those provided in relation with said privileges, results in confiscation of commodities and means of transportation being direct object of unlawful actions, or imposition of penalty in the amount from 10 to 50 percent of cost of these commodities and means of transportation, with recall of the license.

Article 276. Violation of procedure of use and disposal of conditionally issued commodities and means of transportation which enjoy privileges in customs payments

Use and disposal of conditionally issued commodities and means of transportation which enjoy privileges in customs payments, with the purposes other than those provided in relation with said privileges, without permit of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, results in imposition of penalty in the amount from 100 to 200 percent of sum of customs payments, unpaid owing to granted privileges in customs payments, with recall of the license or qualification certificate.

Article 277. Actions directed to illegal exemption from customs duties or their underestimate

Submission of untrue data on customs regulations, volumes, customs cost of commodities and means of transportation, country of their origin which give grounds for their exemption from customs payments or underestimate in customs declaration and other documents required for customs purposes, except cases envisaged by articles 270, 273, 274 of this Code, where there are no signs of crime, involves recall of the license or imposition of penalty in the amount from 100 to 300 percent of unpaid customs duties.

Article 278. Actions directed to refunding of paid customs duties, repayments and other reimbursements, or their return without righteous reasons

Submission of documents with untrue data to customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic which give right for refunding of paid customs duties, repayments and other reimbursements, or their return, or incomplete return, without righteous reasons, where there are no signs of crime, involves recall of the license or qualification certificate, or imposition of penalty in the amount from 100 to 200 percent of the sum of customs payments and other reimbursements.

Article 279. Violation of term of customs payments

Failure to pay customs duties (charges) within specified term, where there are no signs of crime, results in recall of the license or qualification certificate, or imposition of penalty in the amount from 100 to 200 percent of the unpaid sum of customs charges.

Article 280. Failure to implement decisions of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic by banks and other credit organisations

Non-implementation by banks and by other credit organisations of request of relevant executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic about indisputable withdrawal of customs charges, suspension of operations with bank accounts of the payer of customs charges, and also delays in fulfillment of such requests shall result in imposition of penalty in the amount of unpaid sum.

Article 281. Illegal activity in the role of customs broker, or violation of terms of such activity

Implementation of activity in the role of customs broker, use of a name «customs broker» when advertising and in other information without the license of relevant executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic; or if such license has been annulled, recalled or suspended; or if there is no specialist in customs clearing in the staff, having qualification certificate of the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic; or if customs clearing is being accomplished on behalf of customs broker by a person who has no qualification certificate or was deprived of such certificate by decision of the law court; or if qualification certificate of such person has been annulled, recalled, recognised invalid, or suspended; or if customs broker uses license issued as a result of submission to the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic of documents containing unreliable data, and also violation of other terms of such activity, except cases specified in the second paragraph of this article, results in recall of the license and imposition of penalty on customs broker who used this license in the amount from 100 to 500 minimum wages.

Should customs broker or his (its) employees use information which is protected by the law or confidential information with his (its) own purposes, disclosure of such information - except cases envisaged by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic - of such information, where there are no signs of crime, results in recall of the license and imposition of penalty on customs broker who used this license in the amount from 100 to 500 minimum wages, and for the employee - penalty in the amount from 10 to 300 minimum wages, with recall of qualification certificate of a specialist on customs clearing.

Article 282. Illegal activity in the role of customs carrier, or violation of terms of such activity

Implementation of activity in the role of customs carrier without the license of relevant executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic; or if such license has been annulled, recalled or suspended; or if customs carrier uses license issued as a result of submission to the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic of documents containing unreliable data, and also violation of other terms of such activity, except cases specified in the second paragraph of this article, results in recall of the license on implementation of activity as customs carrier or imposition of penalty on customs carrier in the amount from 50 to 200 minimum wages.

Should customs carrier or his (its) employees use information which is protected by the law or confidential information with his (its) own purposes, disclosure of such information - except cases envisaged by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic - of such information, where there are no signs of crime, results in recall of the license on implementation of activity as customs carrier, imposition of penalty on customs carrier in the amount from 50 to 200 minimum wages, and on his (its) employee - from 10 to 100 minimum wages .

Article 283. Non-fulfillment of customs regulations by executives and other persons

Failure of executives and other employees of the enterprise, company or organisation to observe customs regulations, violation of which is penalised in accordance with provisions of this chapter, and also violation of customs regulations by physical persons carrying out work for the enterprise, company or organisation under the contract of civil-legal nature results in warning or imposition of penalty in the amount of up to 20 minimum wages.

Chapter 39. General terms of proceedings on violation of customs regulations and their consideration

Article 284. Proceedings on violation of customs regulations and procedure of their consideration

Proceedings on violation of customs regulations and their consideration are accomplished by executives of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in compliance with this Code, and as for other issues - in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic on administrative crime.

Proceedings on violation of customs regulations are regarded as initiated from the moment when protocol on violation of customs regulations, or administrative arrest of legal entity and physical person called to account for violation of customs regulations.

In conditions specified in article 380 of this Code consideration of case of violation of customs regulations and imposition of penalty may be done in simplified form, in compliance with chapter 50 of this Code.

Article 285. Executives of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic authorised to carry out proceedings on violation of customs regulations

Proceedings on violation of customs regulations are carried out by the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who revealed the fact of violation of customs regulations, or by decision of the head of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or his deputy - by executives of division on prevention of violations of customs regulations of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Head of structural division on prevention of violations of customs regulations and his deputy, and also heads of structural divisions on prevention of violations of customs regulations of other customs bodies (except customs posts/stations) and their deputies in institution of proceedings violation of customs regulations have authority of the head of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 286. Circumstances excluding implementation of proceedings on violation of customs regulations

Proceedings on violation of customs regulations cannot be initiated, and initiated case should be abandoned in the following circumstances:

1) absence of the event of violation of customs regulations;

2) absence of the fact of unlawful action in customs activity (corpus delicti);

3) age of the person accused in violation of customs regulations is less than sixteen years at the moment when unlawful action was committed;

4) physical person who committed unlawful action is irresponsible;

5) physical person acted because of urgent need or necessary defence;

6) if unlawful action was committed by the enterprise, company, organisation and also person who is involved in business activity without establishment of legal entity as a result of force majeure circumstances;

7) issuance of the act of amnesty, if it eliminates imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations;

8) annulment of act establishing imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations;

9) expire of term for imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations to the moment of proceeding;

10) if with regard to physical person who was called to account, there is decision (statement) on abandonment of the case of violation of customs regulations, or such decision has not been annulled in an established order.

11) existence of criminal case on the same case, concerning physical person who was made responsible for violation of customs regulations;

12) death of physical person who was called to account for violation of customs regulations;

13) if as a result of changes circumstances, before proceedings on violation of customs regulations begin, or in the process of such proceedings, harmful nature of actions of inactivity of the person has been eliminated.

If the case about violation of customs regulations has been stopped in the beginning of proceedings, justified decision shall be taken with notification of interested persons.

Article 287. Term of implementation of proceedings on a case of violation of customs regulations

Consideration of a case on violation of customs regulations should be completed not later than within a month from the moment when this case was opened.

Term specified in the first paragraph of this article can be extended, should such necessity arise, by the head of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, or his deputy, and also heads of higher customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, or executives in charge, within a term established for imposition of penalties for violations of customs regulations envisaged in article 242 of this Code. Procedure of extension of term for consideration of a case of violation of customs regulations is defined by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 288. Grounds and reasons for institution of a case on violation of customs regulations

Grounds for institution of a case on violation of customs regulations are the following:

  • direct discovery of signs of violations of customs regulations by executives of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic;
  • information and statements of Azerbaijanian and foreign legal entities and physical persons, and also publications in mass media;
  • information received from other legal protection, control and other state bodies;
  • information received from customs bodies and other legal protection organisations, competent institutions of foreign countries, international organisations.

Reasons for institution of a case on violation of customs regulations will be sufficient data proving violation of customs regulations.

Article 289. Check of notices, statements and other information about committed, being committed and planned violation of customs regulations

Whenever executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic discover signs of committed, being committed and planned violation of customs regulations or received materials with sufficient data confirming such fact, protocol on violation of customs regulations will be immediately made.

Check of notices, statements and other information about violation of customs regulations received by executives of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic in the course of implementation of customs control and customs clearing shall be done simultaneously with said customs control and customs clearing.

In other cases check of notices, statements and other information about committed, being committed and planned violation of customs regulations must be completed within ten days from the day when such information has been received, and in exceptional cases - maximum within one month.

Article 290. Actions of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic on check of information about committed, being committed and planned violation of customs regulations

Executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic who are checking notice, statement or other information about committed, being committed and planned violation of customs regulations have the right to carry out customs examination of commodities and means of transportation before proceedings are initiated with regard to violation of customs regulations, and also to receive from persons transferring commodities and means of transportation through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic , customs brokers and other persons documents required for check, information and explanations.

Article 291. Language of proceedings with regard to a case of violation of customs regulations

Proceedings with regard to a case of violation of customs regulations and its consideration will be accomplished in the Azerbaijan language.

Persons participating in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations who are not in command of Azerbaijan language, have the right to make statements, give explanations, put applications in their mother tongue, or other language which they know, provided that such language is in common use, they also have the right for services of interpreter as specified in this Code.

Article 292. Place of implementation of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations

Proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations shall be carried out at premises of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic where said violation has been discovered.

Whenever required, proceedings on violation of customs regulations may be carried out at premises of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic where said violation has been committed.

The issue of handing over the case on violation of customs regulations from one customs body to another will be settled by the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

The higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic may accept for consideration any case on violation of customs regulations or to pass over this case to any subordinate customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 293. Merging and singling out cases on violation of customs regulations

One proceeding may combine cases on violation of different customs regulations committed only by one person or by several persons in complicity.

Singling out a case on violation of customs regulations is permitted only in necessary cases, if this does not adversely influence the process of taking decision.

Merging and singling out cases on violation of customs regulations are made by decree of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in charge over the case of violation of customs regulations, or head of this or the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, or his deputy.

Article 294. Protocol on violation of customs regulations

In every case of discovery of violation of customs regulations, except cases envisaged in article 379 of this Code, authorised executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic makes a protocol about violation of customs regulations, according to a form established by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

The protocol shall include:

  • date and place of its issue;
  • position, full name of the person who made the protocol;
  • data necessary for investigation about the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations (if such person has been identified);
  • place, time of committed violation of customs regulations and essence of unlawful action;
  • article of this Code envisaging responsibility for said violation of customs regulations;
  • names and addresses of witnesses (if any);
  • explanation of a person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations;
  • information about commodities, means of transportation, documents and other articles confiscated in line with provisions of article 333 of this Code (if any);
  • other information required for investigation.

The protocol should be signed by the executive who made it, and also by a person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, if such person has been identified. Where there are witnesses the protocol shall be signed by these persons as well.

If a person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations refuses to sign a protocol, respective record should be done in the protocol. The person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations has the right to give explanations concerning contents of the protocol, and state motives of his refusal. All explanations and statements, and also motives of refusal are enclosed with the protocol.

When the protocol is being made, the person called to account for violation of customs regulations is informed about his rights, with respective record in the protocol.

The protocol and confiscated commodities, means of transportation, documents and other items are delivered to that customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic where violation of customs regulations has been revealed.

Copy of the protocol is given against receipt or is sent to a person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations.

If said person who is being called to account for violation of customs regulations cannot be located at a place of his registration or at the address indicated in documents, or his address cannot be found, protocol on violation of customs regulations is prepared without participation of this person. Copy of the protocol is sent by mail to a place of registration or to address indicated in documents. In such case the protocol is regarded as presented, and the person who is being called to account for violation of customs regulations - informed about content of the protocol and article 304 of this Code.

Article 295. Actions of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic on discovery of signs of crime

Whenever signs of crime are revealed in the course of proceedings under a case on violation of customs regulations, or its consideration, the issue of institution of a criminal case is settled as specified in articles 217 and 361 of this Code.

Whenever signs of crime are revealed in the course of implementation of customs control or customs clearing, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who discovered signs of crime qualifies unlawful action in the protocol in line with articles 213,214, 215, 216 of this Code, or with the article of Criminal Law of the Azerbaijan Republic which envisages criminal liability for such action. In such case head of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or his deputy, within a term of not more than three days, and in exceptional cases - not more than ten days, must take one of the following decisions in line with criminal legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic:

1) about institution of criminal case;

2) about refusal in institution of criminal case;

3) about handing over the protocol and other materials on crime in the customs business under investigation.

From the moment of discovery of signs of crime in the sphere of customs business when implementing customs control or customs clearing, before one of decisions listed above is taken, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic will check out this fact in an order of investigation of violation of customs regulations. (2)

Article 296. Circumstances when after criminal proceedings were initiated based on signs of crime in the sphere of customs business, executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic continue investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations

If in the process of inquiry under a criminal case in the sphere of customs business signs of violation of customs regulations have been revealed which have been committed by the enterprise, company, organisation and also by person who carries out business activity without establishment of legal entity, investigation of all these unlawful actions should be continued by executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, irrespective of the fact if criminal proceedings were instituted with regard to physical persons or executives.

Article 297. Proceedings under the case on violation of customs regulations and investigation with the use of materials received from the bodies of preliminary investigation, other bodies of inquiry, public prosecutor, law court

In case of refusal in institution or cessation of criminal case based on signs of crime in the area of customs business by the bodies of preliminary investigation, other bodies of inquiry, public prosecutor or law court, but with evidence of violation of customs regulations, proceedings under the case and its consideration based on materials containing data on such evidence, shall be carried out after these materials are received by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic in an established order.

Article 298. Suspension of proceedings under the case on violation of customs regulations

Proceedings under the case on violation of customs regulations may be suspended in the following cases:

1) concealment of physical person who should be called to account for violation of customs regulations, or failure to establish location of the person who should be called to account due to other reasons;

2) fact of mental of other serious illness of physical person who is being called to account, which has been confirmed by physician;

3) failure to identify the person who has violated customs regulations.

In cases specified in (1) of the first paragraph of this article proceedings under the case on violation of customs regulations may be suspended after expire of the term specified for proceedings under article 287 of this Code.

In cases envisaged in (2) and (3) of the first paragraph of this article proceedings under the case on violation of customs regulations may be suspended also during the term of proceedings.

Before proceedings under the case on violation of customs regulations have been suspended, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic must accomplish all legal procedures, which can be done without participation of the person who is responsible, to take all legal measures for settlement of issues indicated in (1) and (3) of the first paragraph of this article which resulted in suspension of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations.

Proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations are suspended by decision of the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic. This decision will contain description of the matter and reasons for suspension of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations.

If it has been established by expert of forensic medicine of expert-psychiatrist that physical person who is going to be called to account has serious and prolonged, however curable disease, so that he cannot come to executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic at his request, proceedings under the case on violation of customs regulations will be suspended until this physical person is cured.

Proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations will be renewed after conditions indicated in (1) and (3) of the first paragraph of this article are eliminated by decision of the customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 299. Inadmissibility of disclosure of materials concerning the case of violation of customs regulations

Actual data contained in materials of the case of violation of customs regulations, and also information about summons or persons to the premises of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic in connection with proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations and consideration thereof, and personal data might be made public before consideration of this case only with permit of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over this case, or head of this or the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or his deputies, and also head or deputy of division of the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic on prevention of violations of customs regulations of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 300. Notification of public prosecutor or bodies of preliminary investigation about other crimes besides crime in the area of customs business

If, in the course of implementation of customs control, or customs clearing or during check of statements, applications, notices and other information about completed, being completed or prepared violation of customs regulations, or in the process of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its consideration, evidence of other crime, besides crime in the area of customs business, is discovered, head of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or his deputy forwards available data to the public prosecutor or bodies of preliminary investigation.

Article 301. Interaction of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic with customs bodies of foreign countries when implementing investigation under cases of violation of customs regulations

Interaction of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic with customs bodies and other competent organisations of foreign countries and international organisations with respect to issues concerning investigation under cases of violation of customs regulations shall be done through the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic in an order envisaged by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic and international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic, including agreements concluded by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Chapter 40. Persons participating in implementation of proceedings under cases on violation of customs regulations and respective investigation, their rights and obligations

Article 302. Participation of the person who has been called to account in investigation of a case on violation of customs regulations, his representative and solicitor

The following legal entities and physical persons take part in investigation of a case on violation of customs regulations:

  • legal entity and physical person, and also legal representative of physical person in cases envisaged by article 305 of this Code;
  • enterprises, companies and organisations (their directors and deputies of directors) - whenever they are called to account, or with permit of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over the case of violation of customs regulations under investigation, other employees of said persons if their responsibility envisages complete settlement of all matters related to investigation of violation of customs regulations;
  • whenever persons who carry out business activity without establishment of legal entity are called to account — said persons.

If in the process of investigation of violation of customs regulations physical person or executive was arrested for a period over three hours, his solicitor or legal adviser may take part in the process of investigation of unlawful action.

In the process of investigation of violation of customs regulations, alongside with persons mentioned in the first paragraph of this article, solicitors or other representatives of such persons who act as legal advisers, and other representatives may take part in the process of investigation of unlawful action, with permit of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic involved in said investigation.

Authority of directors of enterprises, companies, organisations or their deputies is confirmed by documents identifying position of these persons. Authority of other employees of enterprises, companies, organisations is confirmed by power of attorney or other act of the person who has been called to account.

Authority of the solicitor is confirmed by warrant issued by legal advice office.

Authority of representative of the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations should be stated in power of attorney made in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Power of attorney issued by legal entity and physical person who have been called to account for violation of customs regulations, to their representative must be certified with notary, or equally. Where legal entity and physical person participate directly in investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations, written application of such person is regarded equally with power of attorney.

Article 303. Participation of the person who does not live on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic and is outside it, in proceedings and investigation of the case of violation of customs regulations

If the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations does not live on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic and is outside it, his representative may take part in proceedings and investigation of the case of violation of customs regulations. Authority of representative should be confirmed in accordance with existing legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, or in other way sufficient for said representative to implement his obligations.

When representative of the person does not take part in proceedings and investigation of the case of violation of customs regulations, executive of consulate of foreign country on the territory of which said person, being called to account for violation of customs regulations, lives or is staying. Whenever said person, his representative or executive of consulate specified in this article fails to arrive, proceedings and investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations will be carried on in their absence. The person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations will be notified about results of investigation at the address given by said person, if any.

Procedure of invitation of witnesses, experts and specialists who do not live on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic and are not staying at this territory, to take part in proceedings and investigation of case on violation of customs regulations, is established by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic, including agreements concluded by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 304. Rights of the person being called to account for violation of customs regulations

The person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations has the following rights:

  • to know, what specific violation of customs regulations he has been called to account for;
  • to be acquainted with materials of the case after it is completed and during investigation, make notes (extracts);
  • to give explanations;
  • to make applications;
  • to make rejections;
  • during investigation, and in case envisaged in the second paragraph of article 302 of this Code - also during proceedings, to use services of solicitor or other person;
  • to make statements in mother tongue or other language which this person is familiar with, if this language is in common use, and also to use services of interpreter if this person does not know the language of proceedings/investigation of the case;
  • to appeal against taken decision;
  • to enjoy other rights under this Code.

Article 305. Legal representative

Interests of physical person being called for account for violation of customs regulations who is under age, or owing his physical or psychic shortcomings cannot himself implement its functions with regard to violation of customs regulations, may be delegated to legal representatives of this person (parents, those who adopted this person, guardians, trustees). Such delegation of right to represent interests of physical person should be supported by documents confirming relationship or authority.

When necessary, legal representative may be also questioned as a witness under the case of violation of customs regulations.

Article 306. Participation of solicitor or representative (legal adviser) of the person who has been called to account, in proceedings and investigation of the case of violation of customs regulations

In cases envisaged in the second paragraph of article 302, solicitor or representative of the person (legal adviser) who has been arrested for a period over three hours may take part in proceedings/investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations on condition that there is due application of physical person or executive being under administrative arrest, or legal representative of said persons.

If solicitor or representative-legal adviser of physical person who is under the administrative arrest cannot fail to arrive within twenty-four hours from the moment of administrative arrest, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic investigating case on violation of customs regulations, will have the right to offer the person under arrest, or to his legal representative, to invite other solicitor or other legal adviser, or to provide other solicitor to said person from legal advice office.

Solicitor or representative of the person under the administrative arrest (legal adviser) are authorised:

  • to have meetings with the person under the administrative arrest privately, without limitations of their number and duration;
  • to be present when legal procedures under the case of violation of customs regulations are carried out with participation of the person under the administrative arrest;
  • to be acquainted with the protocol of administrative arrest and other materials of the case being a basis for arrest;
  • to be acquainted with the protocols of legal procedures carried out with participation of arrested person.

Head of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or his deputy have the right, by their own decree, to exempt arrested person, fully or partly, from payment for solicitor services. In such case solicitor’s fee will be paid in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 307. Participation of expert

Whenever necessary, expert might be invited for participation in investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations.

Expert must arrive when requested and give unbiased conclusion on raised issues.

Expert has the right:

  • to be acquainted with materials of the case related to expertise;
  • apply for additional materials;
  • with permit of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is involved in proceedings or investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations, to be present at legal procedures or investigation, to question persons called to account and witnesses.

Expert may refuse to give conclusions if provided materials are not sufficient, or if he does not possess required expertise for fulfillment of his obligations. For refusal or evasion from conclusions without valid reasons expert will be responsible in accordance with this Code.

Article 308. Participation of specialist

When required, specialist may be invited for participation in implementation of specific legal procedures under a case on violation of customs regulations, or investigation, i.e. physical person who possesses special knowledge and skills and is not interested in the results of the case.

In interrogatory of witness under age, who is less than fourteen years, a teacher of psychologist must be present as specialist.

At request of the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic specialist who is involved in proceedings or investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations must:

  • take part in implementation of legal procedures, using his special knowledge and skills for assistance to said executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic in revealing, registration/fixation and confiscation of evidence;
  • participate in implementation of inspections, checks and inventories;
  • assist said executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, inspectors and persons who carry out checks and inventories, to present revealed facts and circumstances in protocols, acts of inspections and inventories as required.

For refusal or evasion from implementation of his obligations without valid reasons, specialist will be responsible in accordance with this Code.

Specialist has the right:

  • with permit of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is involved in proceedings or investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations to question witnesses and persons having been called to account because of unlawful action;
  • to indicate cases related to revealing, registration/fixation and confiscation of evidence;
  • to use technological means and instruments for revealing, registration/fixation and confiscation of evidence;
  • to carry out observations, measurements and experiments;
  • to consult executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is involved in proceedings or investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations and also auditors and other persons carrying out checks and inventories on issues requiring special knowledge and expertise;
  • to be acquainted with the protocols, acts of audits, checks and inventories related to specific legal procedures with his participation, to make notes and comments to said protocols and acts. Such notes and comments are introduced into said protocols and acts;
  • to sign said protocols and acts.

Participation of legal entity and physical person in legal procedures with respect to the case of violation of customs regulations or in investigation as a specialist does not exclude possibility of his questioning as a witness under the same case.

Article 309. Interpreter

Interpreter may be a person who knows the language required for translation in the course of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or in investigation. Interpreter should not be interested person in this case.

Interpreter is appointed by executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is involved in proceedings or investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations.

Interpreter is obliged to arrive at request and to accomplish required translation fully and accurately.

Whenever required, customs officer of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic may acts as an interpreter. Provisions of this article are also valid for persons understanding language of dumb and deaf persons, invited for participation in the case on violation of customs regulations or investigation under this case.

For refusal or evasion from fulfillment of his obligations without good reasons interpreter will be responsible in accordance with this Code.

Article 310. Witness

Any physical person or executive who may know any circumstances as regards the case on violation of customs regulations or facts may be invited as a witness to give testimony.

The following cannot be questioned as witnesses:

  • solicitor and representative - legal adviser of the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations - about circumstances which became known to them in connection with rendering such services and assistance;
  • persons, who due to their physical or mental defects cannot apprehend properly circumstances important for the case and give true explanations.

Close relations of physical person and executive called to account for violation of customs regulations are released from responsibility to give explanations.

At request of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is involved in proceedings or investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations, the witness must arrive at appointed time to the premises of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic and give true explanations, i.e. to present all facts known to him and answer all questions.

The witness may be questioned at the place of his residence if he, due to illness, old age, disability and other valid reasons cannot arrive at the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic. By decision of the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is involved in proceedings or investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations other reasons might be also recognised as valid.

For refusal or evasion from fulfillment of his obligations without good reasons the witness will be responsible in accordance with this Code.

Article 311. Participation of invited witnesses

Persons are invited as witnesses in case of inspection, confiscation of commodities, means of transportation, accompanying documents and other articles presented for recognition, customs examination, arrest of commodities, means of transportation and other property; whenever required witnesses may participate in other legal procedures. Minimum number of invited witnesses is two. They should be physical persons not interested in results of the case.

Executives of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who are authorised to carry out customs control and customs clearing, implement proceedings or investigation of cases on violation of customs regulations, and also employees of customs bodies or other bodies of legal protection where proceedings or investigation of cases on violation of customs regulations could be carried out, or any other criminal case in the area of customs business may not participate as invited witnesses.

Invited witnesses must certify in the protocol facts, content and results of actions which took place in their presence. They are authorised to make comments with respect to accomplished actions and to put them into protocols.

Whenever required invited witnesses may be questioned as witnesses under the case.

Chapter 41. Circumstances ruling out possibility of participation in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or in investigation. Rejections

Article 312. Circumstances ruling out possibility of participation of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations and its investigation

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic cannot carry on proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or investigation, if:

1) this executive participated earlier in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its investigation in the role of witness, expert, specialist, legal representative of the person who has been called to account;

2) this executive is close relative of physical person who has been called to account, his solicitor or representative, and also witness, expert, specialist or auditor who participated in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its investigation;

3) there are other circumstances allowing to think that executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic is directly or indirectly interested in the results of the case.

Article 313. Circumstances ruling out possibility of participation of solicitor or representative of the person in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations and its investigation

Solicitors and representatives - legal advisers of the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations cannot participate in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations and its investigation, if they simultaneously protect interests of several persons called to account under one case of violations of customs regulations and their interests are contradictory. The same applies to solicitors and representatives - legal advisers of the person who participated earlier in this case in the role of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic which is involved in proceedings or investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations, public prosecutor, expert, specialist, witness, invited witness.

Employees of the customs bodies, law courts, economy law court, public prosecutor’s office and other legal protection bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and also persons expelled from the board of solicitors cannot be representatives of the person called to account.

This rule does not apply in the cases when said persons participate in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its investigation as legal representatives.

Persons, who are under age or under guardianship cannot be representatives.

The question of admission of solicitor or legal representative to participate in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its investigation shall be solved by executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic which is involved in proceedings or investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations.

Article 314. Circumstances ruling out possibility of participation of expert, auditor, specialist in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations and its investigation

Expert, auditor, specialist cannot participate in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations and its investigation, if:

1) they are relatives of physical person or executive who has been called to account, his solicitor or representative, or relatives of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic which were involved in proceedings or investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations or its investigation;

2) they are subordinate or somehow depend on the person who has been called to account;

3) there are other circumstances allowing to think that they are directly or indirectly interested in the results of the case.

Expert cannot participate in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its investigation:

  • if this expert participated earlier in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its investigation in the role of specialist or auditor;
  • if his incompetence has been established.

Article 315. Rejections of persons who cannot participate in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its investigation

Whenever there are circumstances preventing executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic to carry on proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its investigation, this executive must reject himself.

With the same grounds, said executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic may be rejected by the person who has been called to account, his solicitor or representative. Application about reject must be justified.

In such circumstances case on violation of customs regulations will be handed over to other executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Applications about rejections or self-rejections and decision of transfer of such case to other executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic will be considered by the head of relevant customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or his deputy.

If the case on violation of customs regulations is under control of the head of relevant customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, then the question about his rejection and transfer of the case to the head of other customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or his deputy will be solved by the head of higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or his deputy.

Person, who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, his solicitor or representative have the right to reject an expert, auditor and specialist. The question about rejection of solicitor, representative of the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, and also expert, auditor and specialist will be solved by executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic which is involved in investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations.

Submission of applications with rejection shall not stop proceedings or investigation of the case.

Chapter 42. Evidence in the case on violation of customs regulations

Article 316. Circumstances under the case of violation of customs regulations which must be proved

The following issues must be proved within the limits of the case of violation of customs regulations:

  • event of infringement of the law/offence (time, place, method and other circumstances of violation of customs regulations);
  • guilt of physical person or executive;
  • fact of infringement of customs regulations by the enterprise, company and organisation, and also person which carries out business activity without establishment of legal entity;
  • circumstances influencing degree and nature of responsibility of the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations;
  • reasons and conditions which favored to the infringement of customs regulations.

Article 317. Evidence in the case on violation of customs regulations

Evidence in the case on violation of customs regulations are any actual data which can be used by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, in an order specified by this code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic, for establishment of existence or absence of the fact of violation of customs regulations, guilt of physical person or executive who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, the fact of such infringement of the law by the enterprise, company, organisation, and also person who is involved in business activity without establishment of legal entity, and any other circumstances important for fair settlement of the case.

These data are specified in the protocols and other documents prepared during customs examination, customs clearing, implementation of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its investigation, explanations of the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, explanations of witnesses, expert conclusion, other material and written evidence.

Article 318. Estimate of evidence

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is involved in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its investigation estimates evidence at his own understanding based on complete and fair consideration of all circumstances of the case in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

No evidence has previously existed validity.

Article 319. Protocols and other documents made when carrying out customs inspection, customs clearing, in the course of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations and its investigation

Protocols and other documents made in an order envisaged by this code, witnessing circumstances and facts related to the fact of infringement and established in the course of customs inspection and customs clearing and also in the course of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations and its investigation constitute evidence under the case of violation of customs regulations.

Article 320. Explanations of the person called to responsibility for violation of customs regulations

The person, who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations has the right to give explanations in relation with this fact and also other circumstances under the case which are known to him and available evidence.

Explanations of the person, who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations must be checked and estimated alongside with other evidence under the case.

Article 321. Explanations of witnesses

A witness may be questioned about any circumstances which need clarification in connection with the case of violation of customs regulations, including personal data on physical person or executive who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, and relationship between the witness and said person. Explanations of the witness based on unknown sources may not be used as evidence.

Article 322. Expertise, conclusion of expert

Expertise is appointed in the case if special knowledge in science, engineering, arts and other spheres are required to clarify arising questions.

Expertise is carried out by experts of customs laboratories and other relevant institutions, or other specialists appointed by executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic which is involved in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or investigation.

Any physical person possessing necessary knowledge for preparation of conclusions might be invited as an expert. Decision about appointment of the expertise is binding both for the appointed expert, and for executives of enterprises, companies or organisations where said expert might be employed.

Questions raised before the expert and his conclusions cannot go outside the limits of special knowledge of expert.

The expert gives conclusions in a written form on his own behalf. Conclusion shall include description of investigation made by the expert, their results and justified answers to raised questions. Should the expert reveal in the course of expertise any circumstances important for the case, which have not been asked for, he has the right to include additional conclusions.

Conclusion of the expert is not obligatory for the executive of the customs body which is involved in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or investigation, however disagreement with the expert conclusion must be justified in resolution under the case.

In case if conclusion are not complete or clear, additional expertise might be appointed, with assignment of the same or another expert.

In case of conclusions of the experts are not justified or there is some doubt in its accuracy, repeated expertise might be appointed, with assignment of another expert or experts.

Conclusions, acts, references and other documents describing investigations and their results presented to customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, if said documents have been prepared other than by request of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic which are involved in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations, or executives of other legal protection bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic possessing materials related to the case of violation of customs regulations cannot be regarded as expert conclusions. Such documents are recognised as evidence if they have a nature of material or written evidence.

Article 323. Material evidence

The following are considered material evidence under the case of violation of customs regulations:

  • commodities and means of transportation being direct objects of violation of customs regulations;
  • commodities and means of transportation with specially arranged hiding places used for transfer through the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic with concealment of articles being direct objects of violation ;
  • documents and identification means used for illegal transfer of commodities and means of transportation through the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic;
  • other articles having traces of infringement of the law or those which can serve as a means for revealing fact of violation of customs regulations and persons guilty in such unlawful action, and also for establishment of facts.

Any person, who owns article with traces of infringement of the law is obliged to present such articles to executives of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Material evidence are enclosed to the case of violation of customs regulations. They should be described in detail in protocols on violation of customs regulations, protocols on customs examination or other protocols. Whenever necessary required material evidence may be photographed or fixed using other technical means. Where possible material evidence must be packed and sealed.

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations must take all possible measures to provide safety of material evidence until final settlement of the case.

Procedure and term of storage of material evidence are defined in this Code, and as for issues outside the limits of this Code - by normative acts of the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

If, due to their large size or other reasons, material evidence cannot be enclosed with the case, then executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations will have to prepare a reference about location of such material evidence which should be enclosed with the case.

Material evidence will be kept till the expire of established term for appeal against decision of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic under the case of violation of customs regulations, or until decision is taken by the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, district (city) law court or Economic Law Court of the Azerbaijan Republic which considered appeal against decision of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic under the case of violation of customs regulations in an order envisaged by articles 366 and 367 of this Code.

Material evidence which in accordance with decision of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic under the case of violation of customs regulations are subject to confiscation shall be confiscated as specified by article 376 of this Code.

If no decision about confiscation of material evidence has been taken, however this material evidence cannot legally remain at disposal of this person (entity), then they are subject to alienation (confiscation) within three days in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Material evidence having no value and which are unusable shall be destroyed.

Documents representing material evidence will remain in materials of the case of violation of customs regulations during the whole term of storing of this case, or will be handed over to interested state bodies.

Remaining material evidence are placed by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic at the warehouse of temporary storage, with notification of the person from whom they have been confiscated. Term of temporary storage in this case may not exceeds six months from the date of notification.

In some cases, if in compliance with this Code material evidence are not subject to confiscation they can be returned without prejudice to the investigation to the person from whom they have been confiscated.

Material evidence which are perishable, after inspection are returned to the person or handed over to relevant enterprises, companies and organisations for disposal. Question of refunding of the sum, obtained from sale of such goods shall be solved in accordance with decision under the case.

Article 324. Handling of material evidence whenever there is criminal case or materials on contraband or other crime

After inquiry under the criminal case on unlawful actions in the area of customs business is completed, material evidence shall be handed over together with other materials of the case to the body which accomplishes preliminary investigation.

If, due to their large size or other reasons, material evidence cannot be handed over to the body which accomplishes preliminary investigation together with other materials of the case, customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic at the moment of handing over of the case should inform the body which accomplishes preliminary investigation about location of material evidence.

From the moment of transfer of material evidence to the body which accomplishes preliminary investigation responsibility for safety of said evidence will be borne by the body which accomplishes preliminary investigation.

From the moment of transfer of material evidence to the body which accomplishes preliminary investigation customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic cease to be responsible for costs related to storage and transportation of said material evidence.

Procedure of refunding of such expenses is defined by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Provisions of this article apply also in cases when customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic hand over materials on crime in the area of customs business to the bodies which accomplish preliminary investigation for decision about institution of criminal case.

Article 325. Written evidence

Acts, references, written statements and other documents containing facts and circumstances related to the case which have been given and certified by legal entities and physical persons are written evidence under the case of violation of customs regulations. Written evidence should be kept together with materials of the case.

Documents, which can be characterised as per article 323 of this Code are recognised as material evidence.

Chapter 43. Measures providing implementation of proceedings and investigation of the case on violation of customs regulations

Article 326. Conveyance of the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations to the premises of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic

In order to make a protocol on violation of customs regulations, if such protocol is obligatory and cannot be made at site, and to establish personal data of physical person or executive who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, said person may be conveyed to the premises of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Such conveyance to the premises of the customs body should be accomplished in possibly short term.

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who took decision about conveyance of the person having been called to account for violation to the premises of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic has the right to apply to the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, frontier guards for assistance in conveyance of such person. Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, frontier guards should take all possible measures in relation with such request.

Should the person who has been called to account demonstrate disobedience, resistance or other opposition to the officer of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, or employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or frontier guards, and also when special means are applied to the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, protocol on conveyance of such person to the premises of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic shall be made, with indication of use of special means, if any.

Article 327. Administrative arrest

In order to prevent violations of customs regulations when other means are of no use, to provide fair and timely consideration of the case and its settlement, it is permitted to arrest physical person or executive for a period of up to three hours, if there is sufficient evidence of his guilt.

In cases where there are sufficient data about transfer of commodities and other items by physical person or executive through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic by way of concealment of said items in his body, if such person does not allow customs officers to carry out personal examination, if such person, being found in breach of customs regulations, tries to disappear from the place of crime, if such person tries to conceal his identity, then the person who is being called to account for violation of customs regulations might be arrested for a term, stipulated by the law.

Administrative arrest of physical person or executive being called to account for violation of customs regulations shall be made by executives of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic by decision of the head of this body or his deputy.

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who carries out administrative arrest has the right to apply to the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, frontier guards for assistance in arrest of such person. Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, frontier guards should take all possible measures in relation with such requests.

Term of administrative arrest of physical person or executive is estimated from the moment of delivery of such person to the premises of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, or any other place where it is possible to implement necessary actions with the purposes specified in the first paragraph of this article; said term for the person who is in a state of intoxication shall be estimated from the moment when such person becomes sober. As for the person who was in said premises (place) in connection with implementation of customs control or customs clearing, term of administrative arrest shall be estimated from the moment when said customs control or customs clearing is completed.

Protocol on administrative arrest shall be made, with indication of use of special means, if such means were applied.

Keeping of arrested person shall be done in compliance with provisions of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic concerning short-term arrest of persons suspected in crime.

Decision about administrative arrest may be appealed against arrested person, his solicitor or representative at the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, district (city) law court, public prosecutor’ office.

Appeal against decision about administrative arrest shall be delivered within twenty four hours to the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, district (city) law court, public prosecutor’ office and shall be considered by these bodies within three days from the moment of delivery.

The fact of appeal shall not serve as justified basis for annulment of administrative arrest.

If it is found that decision about administrative arrest has been taken by unauthorised person or without sufficient grounds, or the person who may not be arrested in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, such decision is annulled and arrested person is immediately released; executive, who has taken illegal decision will bear responsibility in line with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic. (4)

Chapter 44. Procedure of implementation of legal procedures

Article 328. Assignment on implementation of legal procedures under the case of violation of customs regulations

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over the case of violation of customs regulations under investigation, has the right to assign implementation of individual legal procedures under the case to executive of another customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

This request should be accomplished not later then within ten days from the day when assignment has been made.

Article 329. Questioning of persons under the case on violation of customs regulations

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over the case of violation of customs regulations has the right to carry out questioning of physical persons, executives, directors or deputies directors of enterprises, companies and organisations, and also persons carrying out business activity without establishment of legal entity concerning the matter.

Questioned people must arrive at the request and give explanations concerning the matter.

Protocol reflecting questioning and its results will be made.

Article 330. Procedure of summons for questioning under the case of violation of customs regulations

Persons under the article 329 of this Code who have to be questioned in connection with the case of violation of customs regulations are summoned by subpoena which is given to summoned person against receipt.

In case of temporary absence of the person, subpoena will be given against receipt to one of the adults from the family of this person, or to executive of housing organisation at a place of residence of this person, or to representative of administration at a place of employment, study, recreation where this person is, or to representative of relevant self-governing body.

In case of temporary absence of director, deputy director of the enterprise, company or organisation subpoena will be given against receipt to one of the employees of this enterprise, company or organisation, or representative of the body which has registered this institution.

Subpoena should indicated: who is being summoned for questioning, place and name of the person who is in charge, day and time of appointment, and also consequences of failure to arrive.

Person to be questioned might be also summoned by telephone message, telegram or with the use of other means of communication.

Persons under sixteen are summoned for questioning through their parents or other legal representatives.

Other procedure of summons can be used only when circumstances of the case so required.

Persons arrested by customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, in compliance with article 327 of this Code are summoned for questioning through the administration of the place where they are kept.

Article 331. Procedure of questioning under the case of violation of customs regulations

Persons who have been summoned under one and the same case are questioned separately. Before questioning executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over the case of violation of customs regulations checks personality of the person being questioned, finds out if the person is in good command of the Azerbaijanian language, whether he needs services of interpreter, advises the person about his rights and responsibility.

Person being questioned under one and the same case are informed about administrative responsibility should they refuse to answer or evade explanations, if such person can bear such responsibility.

Before the questioning of director or deputy director of the enterprise, company and organisation, and also person who carries out business activity without establishment of legal entity, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic makes certain that this person has relevant authority.

Questioning under the case begins:

  • with respect to physical person or executive who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations - with the question if he recognises himself guilty in unlawful action;
  • with respect to director or deputy director of the enterprise, company and organisation, and also person who carries out business activity without establishment of legal entity who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations - with the question if he recognises the fact of violation of customs regulations;
  • with respect to physical person or executive who has been summoned as a witness - with information about circumstances which led to summons for questioning.

Then summoned person is invited to give his explanations concerning the case.

After this executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic may question the person who has been summoned.

Questioning of physical person who is under fourteen shall be done in the presence of the teacher or psychologist, and where required - legal representatives of a person under age or his close relatives. At discretion of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over the case of violation of customs regulations, persons mentioned above might be present during questioning of physical person under age - from fourteen to sixteen years old. Before questioning begins, said persons shall be explained their rights and obligations which should be stated in the protocol of questioning. These persons will be present during questioning and may, with permit of the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, who carries out questioning, may ask questions. Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic may decline the question, however this question should be fixed in the protocol.

Article 332. Demand for documents required for implementation of proceedings under the case on violation of customs regulations or its consideration

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over the case of violation of customs regulations has the right to demand presentation of documents required for implementation of proceedings under the case or its consideration.

A person who received request about presentation of documents is obliged, not later than within five-day period, to forward these documents or to give them to executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who has requested them.

Documents shall be presented in original. With permit of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over the case of violation of customs regulations copy of the document certified as required might be presented. If for implementation of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations only part of this document is important, extract from this document certified as required is presented. After the term for appeals against decision taken under the case is expired, original of documents may be returned to the person who provided them. Copies of documents witnessed by executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who investigated this case, remain in materials of the case.

Failure to fulfil request made by executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic to present documents required for implementation of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its consideration might involve withdrawal of said documents in an order envisaged by articles 333 and 334 of this Code.

Article 333. Grounds for confiscation of commodities, means of transportation, documents and other articles

Commodities and means of transportation being direct objects of violation of customs regulations, commodities and means of transportation with specially arranged hiding places, used for transfer through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic with concealed commodities being direct objects of violation of customs regulations, vehicles used for transportation of commodities which are direct objects of violation of customs regulations, means of identification and other articles possessing signs of material evidence specified in article 323 of this Code are subject to confiscation.

When physical person or executive who is not resident in the Azerbaijan Republic, other person (entity) which has no branch, representation, division or such, Azerbaijanian or foreign, enterprises, companies, organisations and also persons involved in business activity without establishment of legal entity, whose paid ownership capital or cost of other property being on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, except commodities and means of transportation under the customs control will not cover sums of potential fines and cost of commodities and means of transportation which could be subject to recovery, are called to account, confiscation of commodities, including national currency of the Azerbaijan Republic, securities in national currency of the Azerbaijan Republic and currency values, and means of transportation is permitted, to cover said fines or cost.

The person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations will have to prove existence of permanent place of living, branches, representations, divisions, etc., or sufficient amount of paid ownership capital or cost of other property.

With consent of customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic, instead of confiscation of commodities and means of transportation mentioned in the second paragraph of this article, pawning may be used, presentation of guarantee or transfer of due sums to the deposit account as envisaged by article 120 of this Code.

Article 334. Procedure of confiscation of commodities, means of transportation, documents and other articles

Confiscation of commodities, means of transportation, documents and other articles mentioned in article 333 of this Code shall be done by executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Confiscation might be carried out during implementation of the customs control and customs clearing, drawing up a protocol on violation of customs regulations, implementation of customs inspection or examination, and also as an independent legal procedure.

With confiscation as an independent legal procedure, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over the case of violation of customs regulations makes justified decision about confiscation.

Confiscation as an independent legal procedure shall be carried out in a presence of invited witnesses. Person, from whom commodities, means of transportation, documents and other articles is present during the process of confiscation. In case of temporary absence of such physical person or executive, and also person who is involved in business activity without establishment of legal entity, withdrawal will be done in the presence of adults from the family of this person, living together with him, employees of housing organisation at a place of residence of this person, and also representative of administration at a place of employment, study, recreation of such person. In case of temporary absence of director, deputy director of the enterprise, company or organisation confiscation will be carried out in the presence of other employees of this enterprise, company or organisation, or representative of the body which has registered this institution.

Where required, specialist will be invited for participation in confiscation.

Persons participating in confiscation and those who are present during confiscation are explained their rights and obligations.

Procedure of confiscation of commodities, means of transportation, documents and other articles during night hours is not permitted, except cases of confiscation during customs inspection, customs clearing and also urgent cases.

Before confiscation implemented as an independent legal procedure, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who will be carrying out said confiscation, must present an order on confiscation.

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic will suggest to the person who has commodities, means of transportation, documents and other items which are subject to confiscation, or to other persons mentioned in the fourth paragraph of this article to give these articles of their own free will. On refusal, these articles will be taken by force. On refusal to open premises and other places where commodities, means of transportation, documents and other items subject to confiscation might be located, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic shall make decision about their opening and get sanction of the public prosecutor.

Confiscation of documents with information which constitutes state secret, if said documents have not been discovered during implementation of customs inspection and customs clearing shall be done only with consent of the head of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or person in charge, and with sanction of the public prosecutor, and in case if the documents belong to state body, enterprise, company or organisation - as agreed with the head or deputy head of said state body, enterprise, company or organisation.

Commodities, means of transportation, documents and other articles which are not related to the case on violation of customs regulations are not subject to confiscation, except articles forbidden for circulation.

Protocol shall be drawn up about confiscation which has been implemented as an independent legal procedure.

Confiscated articles are listed and descried in the protocols of confiscation, or other protocols mentioned in this Code, or in enclosed inventories, with indication of name, quantity, measure, weight and individual characteristics of these commodities and, when available — cost. Whenever required and possible confiscated articles are packed and sealed at a place of confiscation.

If, during confiscation there are other persons present besides executives of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, all confiscated articles are presented to them.

The fact of refusal to give out voluntarily commodities, means of transportation, documents and other articles voluntarily and subsequent need to confiscate them by force shall be registered in protocols.

Article 335. Estimation of confiscated commodities, means of transportation and other articles

Customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic carries out estimation of commodities, means of transportation and other articles confiscated in compliance with provisions of this Code, based on state controlled prices, if prices on these commodities have been established, in other cases estimation is done based on free (market) prices. If estimation cannot be done in an established order it will be done based on conclusion of the expert.

Conversion of foreign currency confiscated by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic into the currency of the Azerbaijan Republic shall be done at the exchange rate of National Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic existing on a date of discovery of violation of customs regulations.

Article 336. Imposition of arrest on commodities, means of transportation and other property

When it is not possible to confiscate commodities, means of transportation and other articles specified in article 333 of this Code, if the person who has been called to account repeatedly violated customs regulations or is called to account simultaneously for accomplishment of several violations of customs regulations, or if as a result of customs regulations interests of the country suffer seriously, and also in other cases and in an order, stipulated by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, head of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, whose executive in charge over the case on violation of customs regulations, or his deputy, will have the right to impose arrest on commodities, means of transportation and other property of the person, who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations. (3)

Head of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, or his deputy makes justified conclusion about arrest of the property.

Arrest of the property and drawing up of relevant protocol will be done in an order specified in article 334 of this Code, considering confiscation of commodities as an independent legal procedure.

Head of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or his deputy who have made decree about imposition of arrest on property, define the place where said property might be.

Embezzlement, alienation or concealment of the property which is under arrest will entail responsibility envisaged by criminal legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic. Disposal of such property may be permitted only on condition that all requirements and restrictions established by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic are observed, in an order defined by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic. Violation of these requirements and restrictions will result in responsibility envisaged by this Code.

Imposition of arrest on money resources in banks and credit organisations which belong to a person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations shall be done in line with legislation.

Imposition of arrest on property might be annulled by the person who issued a decree about such arrest if such measure is no longer needed.

Article 337. Implementation of customs inspection

Executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, having enough grounds to believe that on the territory or at the premises of legal entities and physical persons, or in means of transportation belonging to these persons/entities there are commodities and means of transportation which are direct objects of violation of customs regulations; or commodities and means of transportation with specially arranged hiding places, used for transfer through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic with concealment of commodities being direct objects of violation of customs regulations, or other articles with characteristics of material evidence, and also documents required for implementation of proceedings under the case on violation of customs regulations, or its consideration have the right to carry out customs inspection of such territories, premises or means of transportation.

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over the case of violation of customs regulations makes justified decision about implementation of customs inspection.

Customs inspection shall be done in the presence of invited witnesses.

Person, whose territories, premises or means of transportation undergo customs inspection shall be present during customs inspection. In case of temporary absence of such legal entity or physical person, customs inspection will be carried out in the presence of adults from the family of this person, living together with him, employees of housing organisation at a place of residence of such person, and also representative of administration at a place of employment, study, recreation of such person, or representative of relevant self-governing body.

In case of temporary absence of director, deputy director of the enterprise, company or organisation customs inspection will be carried out in the presence of other employees of this enterprise, company or organisation, or representative of the body which has registered this institution.

Where required, specialist will be invited for participation in customs inspection.

Persons participating in customs inspection and those who are present during customs inspection are explained their rights and obligations.

Customs inspection during night hours is not permitted, except cases of customs examination when implementing customs control, customs clearing and also urgent cases.

Before customs inspection, executives of the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic who are carrying out such customs inspection, should present to the person whose territories, premises or means of transportation are subject to customs inspection, an order on implementation of customs inspection against signed receipt. In case of temporary absence of this person an order will be presented to another person as specified in the fourth paragraph of this article.

Executives of the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic will suggest to the person whose territories, premises or means of transportation are subject to customs inspection, or to other persons mentioned in the fourth paragraph of this article to show voluntarily said territories, premises or means of transportation where said commodities, mentioned in the first paragraph of this article are located, to give out these articles voluntarily, or to open at their own will premises, reservoirs and other places where such articles could be located. On refusal to open voluntarily premises and other places where articles mentioned in the first paragraph of this article may be located, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic makes decision about their opening and gets sanction of the public prosecutor.

In the course of customs inspection commodities, means of transportation, documents and other articles related to the case are confiscated on the basis and in an order envisaged by articles 333 and 334 of this Code.

When carrying out customs inspection, measuring can be done, photographs taken, shooting, video-technique may be used and other technical means.

Protocol on customs inspection shall be drawn up.

Article 338. Examination

In order to find out signs of violation of customs regulations and material evidence, to establish circumstances important for the case, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over the case of violation of customs regulations will have the right to examine the area, premises, commodities, means of transportation, accompanying documents and other articles.

Examination may be carried out when drawing up protocol on violation of customs regulations, during confiscation of commodities, means of transportation, accompanying documents and other articles, and also as an independent legal procedure.

Examination of commodities, means of transportation, accompanying documents and other articles as an independent legal procedure is permitted:

  • if commodities, means of transportation, accompanying documents and other articles are in control of the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic as a result of implementation of customs control, customs clearing or legal procedures which have been carried out earlier;
  • in other cases - with consent of the owner of these commodities, means of transportation, accompanying documents and other articles for such examination.

Examination as an independent legal procedure is carried out in the presence of invited witnesses. Person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulation, specialist, witness may take part in examination. Whenever required, measuring is done, photographs are taken, shooting, video-technique are used, plans, drawings are prepared, schemes are drawn up, samples and specimens are taken, moulds (copies) and impressions of footprints are made, copies of the documents are taken, etc.,

Protocol on customs examination as an independent legal procedure shall be drawn up.

Article 339. Presentation of commodities, means of transportation, accompanying documents and other articles for identification

By decision of the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over the case of violation of customs regulations, commodities, means of transportation, accompanying documents and other articles may be presented for identification to physical person or executive who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, director or deputy director of the enterprise, company and organisation, person involved in business activity without establishment of legal entity and witness.

Identifying person is questioned beforehand about circumstances where he observed articles listed in the first paragraph of this article and characteristic features allowing identification.

Articles are presented for identification in groups of articles of the same category. Presentation for identification takes place in the presence of invited witnesses.

Protocol on presentation of articles for identification is drawn up.

Article 340. Receiving information required for implementation of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its consideration from state bodies, legal entities and physical persons

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations has the right, based on written application, to receive from state bodies, legal entities and physical persons information required for settlement of the case.

Executives of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic must provide confidentiality with respect to information received by them and use this information exclusively for investigation of the case of violation of customs regulations. Such information may not be used by executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic with personal purposes, it must not be transferred to third persons, except cases directly specified in legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 341. Implementation of the audit, inspection and inventory under the case of violation of customs regulations

When all other measures for establishment of facts and circumstances significant for proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations, or consideration of the case are exhausted, audits, checks of financial-economic activity of persons being called to account may be appointed and also inventory of their commodities and means of transportation.

State body, enterprise, company or organisation, and also personal composition of auditors and specialists who were authorised to carry out audit, inspection, inventory are respectively defined or approved by the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who has appointed such audit, inspection, etc.

Implementation of the audit, inspection, inventory is carried out based on an order issued by the head or deputy head of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic (except customs post), or head of structural division on prevention of violations of customs regulations of the executive power body, carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic or his deputy.

Inspected person is informed about results of the audit, inspection, inventory not later than within five days from their completion.

Procedure of implementation of the audit, inspection, inventories, processing of their results and drawing up conclusions shall comply with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 342. Procedure of appointment of expertise

Having recognised need in expertise, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations takes decision about appointment of such expertise. Respective order shall indicate grounds for appointment of expertise, name of expert or name of the customs laboratory or other such institution where an expertise shall be done, questions asked from the expert and materials which have been given to an expert.

Before an expert is appointed, necessary data on his qualification and competence are found out.

Article 343. Taking samples and specimens for implementation of the expertise

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations has the right to obtain from physical person or executive who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, director or deputy director, other employees of the enterprise, company and organisation, and also person who carries out business activity without establishment of legal entity, who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations specimens of signature, handwriting, to take samples and specimens of commodities required for implementation of the expertise.

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations issues an order about taking samples and specimens.

When required taking of samples and specimens is carried out with participation of specialist and (or) in the presence of invited witnesses.

Protocol on taking of samples and specimens is drawn up.

Article 344. Rights of the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, and also of his solicitor and representative when an expertise is appointed

After proceedings under the case on violation of customs regulations has been completed, person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, and also, during consideration of such case - his solicitor or representative - legal adviser, will have the right to be acquainted with an order on appointment of the expertise and conclusions of the expert and also apply for appointment of additional or repeated expertise.

Persons mentioned in the first paragraph of this article have the right:

  • to reject an expert;
  • to ask about appointment of the expert from a number of persons specified by him;
  • to raise additional questions requiring conclusions of the expert;
  • to be present, with permit of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over the case of violation of customs regulations, at the expertise and to give explanations to expert.

If all such applications have been satisfied, relevant executive power body who is in charge over the case of violation of customs regulations, whenever there sufficient reasons, appoints additional or repeated expertise.

If application has been refused, relevant executive power body who is in charge over the case of violation of customs regulations issues justified resolution.

The person who applied, has the right to be acquainted with this resolution/order and to appeal against it in an order established by legislation.

Article 345. General requirements to the protocols drawn up in relation with proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations

When specific legal procedures are implemented in relation with the case of violation of customs regulations, and also in cases envisaged by articles 326 and 327 of this Code, protocol is drawn up in a form specified by the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Protocol is drawn up by executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic both in the course of implementation of specific legal procedures and immediately after their completion.

The protocol shall state:

  • its name;
  • place and date of implementation of specific legal procedures or actions envisaged by articles 326 and 327 of this Code;
  • time of beginning and of the end of an action;
  • position, full name of the person who has drawn up a protocol;
  • full name of every person who participated in said action or was present during its implementation, and whenever required - his address, citizenship, information whether he is in good command of Azerbaijanian language;
  • content of the action, sequence of steps;
  • revealed facts and circumstances important for the case.

If in the course of implementation of specific legal procedure or action envisaged by articles 326 and 327 of this Code photography and shooting were applied, video-, audio-records were made, other technical means were used, this should be stated in the protocol. It must be also mentioned that before technical means have been used persons participating in implementation of said actions were duly informed.

The protocol will be read by all persons participating in implementation of procedure or being present during its implementation. These persons must be advised about their right to make comments to be introduced into the protocol or enclosed therewith.

The protocol shall be signed by the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic and also by other persons who participated in implementation of procedure or were present during its implementation.

Photographs and negatives, video-tapes and phonograms, schemes, plans, drawings drawn up in the course of implementation of procedure shall be enclosed with the protocol.

Where required form of the protocol established by the State Customs Committee might be replaced with arbitrary form. Protocols of the arbitrary form shall comply with provisions of this Code.

Article 346. Obligatory handing of copy of the protocol

Copy of the protocol on conveyance of the person to the premises of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic is handed to conveyed person against receipt.

Copy of the protocol on administrative arrest is handed to the arrested person against receipt.

Copy of the protocol on implementation of legal procedure is handed against receipt to physical person, executive, director or deputy director of the enterprise, company and organisation, and also person who carries out business activity without establishment of legal entity, from whom commodities, means of transportation, documents and other property have been confiscated; commodities, means of transportation and other property have been arrested; customs inspection of the territory, premises or means of transportation have been examined.

Article 347. Additional requirements to the protocol of questioning

If a person being questioned is not willing or cannot give written explanations concerning the case himself, or if executive of the customs body who carries out control over the case of violation of customs regulations thinks that this is necessary, oral explanations of questioned person are introduced into the protocol which is being drawn up by said executive. Explanations of questioned person are introduced into the protocol in his own name and, when possible, word for word. Where required, questions asked from the questioned person and his answers are registered.

It is recorded in the protocol of questioning of witness who already reached sixteen year age, that the witness has been advised about administrative responsibility for refusal or attempt to avoid explanations. This is confirmed by the signature of witness. Such record shall not be made in the protocol of questioning of witness if he is the spouse or close relative of the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations.

If questioning has been carried out with participation of the interpreter or specialist, it should be stated in the protocol that interpreter or specialist were advised as per their rights and obligations.

If physical person, executive, or person who carries out business activity without establishment of legal entity who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations; or director or deputy director of the enterprise, company and organisation, who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations is questioned, in the protocol it should be stated that questioned person was advised as per his right for rejection of specialist or executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in charge over the case of violation of customs regulations

After the questioning has been completed, questioned person shall be acquainted with contents of the protocol and will approve correctness of explanations given by him in writing, and also oral explanations. Questioned person has the right to request that amendments or changes are made in records of his oral explanations. Such amendments or changes are introduced into the protocol. If the protocol consists of several pages, questioned person shall sign each page separately and the protocol as a whole.

Persons who are present during the questioning of the person have the right to be acquainted with the protocol of questioning. These persons with their signatures confirm correctness of records of oral explanations given by the questioned person, and if there are comments concerning correctness and completeness of such record - write their comments themselves.

In case if questioning was carried out with participation of the interpreter, specialist or legal representative of the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, all these persons will sign the protocol as a whole, interpreter signs also every page of the protocol if it consists of several pages.

Questioned person who used services of the interpreter confirms with his signature at the end of the protocol that interpretation which was done for him, is identical to his explanations.

If the protocol of questioning was translated into another language in a written form, then translated protocol as a whole and every individual page should be signed by the interpreter and questioned person.

Article 348. Registration of the fact of refusal to sign or impossibility of signing of the protocol

If the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, witness or other person refuse to sign the protocol of specific legal procedure wherein he took part, or protocols in compliance with articles 326 and 327 of this Code, relevant record is made in the protocol, which should be witnessed by signature of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who has drawn up the protocol and also by signatures of invited witnesses if they were present during implementation of legal procedure.

The person who refused to sign the protocol should be given a chance to explain reasons of his refusal, this explanation being recorded in the protocol or enclosed with it.

If one of the persons mentioned in the first paragraph of this article, due to his physical defects or due to other reasons, cannot sign the protocol of legal procedure, or protocols envisaged by articles 326 and 327 of this Code, relevant record is made in the protocol, which should be witnessed by signature of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who has drawn up the protocol and also by signatures of invited witnesses if they were present during implementation of legal procedure.

If the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, or witness cannot, due to reasons specified in the third paragraph of this article, sign the protocol of questioning, third party should be invited who is not interested in results of the case and who, with permit of the person being questioned, witnesses with his signature correctness of record of his explanations.

Chapter 45. Costs under the case on violation of customs regulations

Article 349. Costs under the case on violation of customs regulations

Costs under the case on violation of customs regulations include:

  • sums paid to witnesses, experts, specialists, interpreters, invited witnesses;
  • costs in connection with implementation of audit, inspection and inventory;
  • sums spent on storage, transportation (shipment) and study of material evidence;
  • other expenditures borne by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic in the course of proceedings under the case on violation of customs regulation or its consideration.

Article 350. Payments due to witnesses, experts, specialists, interpreters and invited witnesses

Expenses borne by witnesses, experts, specialists, interpreters and invited witnesses in connection with summons thereof to the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic shall be reimbursed.

Experts, specialists and interpreters will receive fee for tasks accomplished by them by request of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, if said tasks are not part of official responsibilities of said persons.

Workers and office staff who have been summoned to the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic as an expert, specialist, interpreter, invited witness during the time when they are absent due to summons to the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic will be getting average monthly wages at their permanent place of work. Persons who are not workers and office staff will get fee for the use of their time.

Sums due to witnesses, experts, specialists, interpreters and invited witnesses will be paid by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic after these persons completed fulfillment of their obligations.

Procedure of payment and amounts of sums to be paid shall be in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

If the person who has been summoned for participation in proceedings under the case on violation of customs regulations, or in its consideration, as an expert or specialist, and said person is not resident or is not staying on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, he will be refunded in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 351. Reimbursement of costs under the case on violation of customs regulations

Except cases envisaged by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, costs under the case on violation of customs regulations will be borne by the person with respect to whom an order of enforcement has been issued.

Whenever the person is released from responsibility based on provisions of article 235 of this Code, customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic which carried out proceedings under the case on violation of customs regulations will have the right to recover costs from the guilty person, except sums paid to interpreter.

If, under the case on violation of customs regulations, an order of enforcement has been issued with respect to several persons, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who was in charge in proceedings under this case will decide how the costs should be divided.

In case of termination of proceedings under the case on violation of customs regulations as specified in article 286 of this Code (except case specified in paragraph 11 of this article) sum of expenses and also sums paid to interpreter shall be ascribed to the executive power body which carries our customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations must collect relevant documents with estimation of costs under the case and to enclose said documents with materials of the case.

Chapter 46. Forwarding the case on violation of customs regulations for consideration

Article 352. Forwarding the case on violation of customs regulations for consideration

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations, after proceedings are completed, hands over materials of the case to the head of this body, or his deputy, and executive of the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic - to authorised executive of this body not later than within fifteen days from the expire of the term for imposition of penalty on physical person or executive, and not later than one month - on the enterprise, company or organisation and also person who carries out business activity without establishment of legal entity.

Article 353. Termination of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations until the case is handed over for consideration

When proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations in cases envisaged by article 286 of this Code are terminated, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in control over proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations issues an order. This order will explain the essence of the case, reasons of termination of proceedings under this case, and issue of confiscated commodities, means of transportation, documents and other articles, property which is under arrest, subject of pawning or guarantee, material evidence, and also costs under the case of violation of customs regulations. Such order comes into force after its approval by the head of this customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or his deputy.

Copy of the order on termination of proceedings under the case will be handed or sent within three days from the date of its coming into force to the person in question, his representative or other interested persons - in case of death of physical person or liquidation of legal entity.

Chapter 47. Customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic authorised to investigate cases on violation of customs regulations

Where physical person is called to account, case on violation of customs regulations will be considered in the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic whose executive was in control over proceedings under this case.

Where executive, enterprise, company, organisation and also person who carries out business activity without establishment of legal entity has been called to account, case on violation of customs regulations will be considered in the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic whose executive or executive of subordinate customs post was in control over proceedings under this case. When it is necessary to call to account physical person, if proceedings under this case were carried out by the executive of the customs post of the Azerbaijan Republic, then the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic may take over investigation under the case of violation of customs regulations.

Executive power body which carries out customs activity in the Azerbaijan Republic may take over investigation under any case of violation of customs regulations committed on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, or to hand it over to any other customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 355. Executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic authorised to carry out investigations under cases on violation of customs regulations

Case on violation of customs regulations shall be considered on behalf of the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic by authorised executive of this body, and on behalf of any other customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic — by heads of these bodies or their deputies.

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic authorised to carry out investigation under the case on violation of customs regulations, having received materials of the case for study, first of all settles the following issues:

  • whether investigation of this case is within his competence;
  • if protocols and other materials of the case on violation of customs regulations comply with requirements of this Code;
  • if there are circumstances leading to termination of the case;
  • whether materials collected for investigation of this case are sufficient, or the case should be returned for additional procedures;
  • if the persons participating in the investigation of the case have been informed about the time and place of its consideration;
  • if measures on recovery of penalty, cost of commodities and means of transportation, and their possible confiscation have been taken;
  • if there exist applications of the person being called to account, his solicitor or representative.

Article 356. Return of the case on violation of customs regulations for re-consideration

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, having received for consideration case of violation of customs regulations returns this case for re-consideration in case of investigation was not complete or there are other circumstances preventing investigation.

Decision about return of the case taken before its consideration shall be made in writing and sent to the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, or executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who will be authorised to carry out additional procedure of investigation.

Article 357. Term for consideration of the case on violation of customs regulations

Case on violation of customs regulations committed by physical person shall be considered within fifteen days, case on violation of customs regulations committed by executive or other persons - within a month from the day when authorised executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic received materials required for study of the case.

If application was received from the person who has been called to account, his solicitor or representative, term specified in the first paragraph of this article might be extended by the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic authorised to carry out investigation under this case, however within the whole term of imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations under article 242 of this Code.

Article 358. Consideration of the case on violation of customs regulations

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, starting investigation of the case of violation of customs regulations:

  • announces, who is considering the case, what case is subject to consideration, who is called to account and based on which article of this Code;
  • checks presence of the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, director or deputy director of the enterprise, company, organisation being called to account for violation of customs regulations, their solicitors or representatives, or finds out reasons of their absence;
  • takes decision about possibility of consideration of the case in the absence of said persons or about adjourning of consideration of the case;
  • establishes identity of the person who is called to account and checks authority of other persons;
  • explains to the persons participating in consideration of the case their rights and responsibility;
  • decides about invitation of the interpreter;
  • settles issues of made rejections and applications.

After that executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic makes public the protocol on violation of customs regulations.

The person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, director or deputy director of legal entity which has been called to account for violation of customs regulations, their solicitors or representatives have the right to be acquainted with all materials of the case, to submit articles and documents which can constitute the evidence for the case.

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic studies circumstances of the incident of violation of customs regulations, evidence under the case, listens to additional explanations of the person who has been called to account, director or deputy director of the enterprise, company, organisation being called to account for violation of customs regulations, their solicitors or representatives. Where required, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic appoints expertise and carries out other legal procedures in compliance with provisions of this Code.

Article 359. Presence of the person being called to account, director or deputy director of the enterprise, company, organisation being called to account for violation of customs regulations, during consideration of the case on violation of customs regulations

The case on violation of customs regulations will be considered in the presence of the person being called to account, director or deputy director of the enterprise, company, organisation being called to account for violation of customs regulations, their solicitors or representatives.

Customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic notifies the person who is being called to account about the place and time of consideration of the case. Special written notification is sent to this person, or protocol with the record about violation of customs regulations which is handed or sent to said person.

In the absence of the person who has been called to account, director or deputy director of the enterprise, company, organisation being called to account for violation of customs regulations, their solicitors or representatives the case may be considered only in cases where there is information about due notification of such person about the place and time of consideration of the case, however no request has been sent about adjourning; or it is known that this person to the moment of consideration of the case is outside the Azerbaijan Republic; when person who might be called to account for violation of customs regulations has not been identified; and in cases of violation of customs regulations when shipping commodities through international mail.

Article 360. Circumstances which must be clarified when considering the case on violation of customs regulations

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, when the case on violation of customs regulations is considered, must find out the following:

  • if physical person or executive, being called to account for such violation, is guilty;
  • whether this person is responsible;
  • if there are circumstances extenuating or aggravating responsibility;
  • other circumstances significant for fair settlement of the case.

Article 361. Resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic

Having considered the case on violation of customs regulations executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic issues one of the following resolutions:

1) about imposition of penalty;

2) about termination of proceedings;

3) about institution of criminal case on unlawful actions (crime) in the sphere of customs business;

4) about forwarding of materials to other legal protection bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic for solution of the question about institution of criminal case on unlawful actions (crime) in the sphere of customs business;

5) about return of the case for re-investigation.

Resolution on termination of proceedings under the case is issued when the person who committed unlawful action has been released due to insignificant violation of customs regulations and also where circumstances prevent implementation of proceedings.

Resolution on institution of criminal case is taken in cases when during preparation of the case for consideration or during consideration signs of crime in the sphere of customs business have been revealed.

Resolution on forwarding of materials of the case with signs of crime in the sphere of customs business to other legal protection bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic without institution of criminal proceedings is taken when the bodies of preliminary investigation or public prosecutor request these materials for study, and also in the case when there is no need in urgent investigation procedure.

Resolution on return of the case on violation of customs regulations for reinvestigation is taken in cases envisaged in the first paragraph of article 356 of this Code.

Resolution on the case of violation of customs regulations will contain:

  • name of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, on behalf of which resolution was taken;
  • position, full name of the executive, who has issued the resolution;
  • date and place of consideration of the case;
  • information about the person against whom the case has been instituted, if such person was identified;
  • circumstances, established during consideration of the case;
  • reference to an article of this Code envisaging responsibility for committed violation of customs regulations;
  • decision which has been taken under the case;
  • information about the term and procedure of appealing against resolution.

In resolution an issue about confiscated commodities, means of transportation, accompanying documents and other articles, arrested property, mortgage, guarantee, sums transferred to deposit account, material evidence and costs under the case of violation of customs regulations.

Resolution on the case of violation of customs regulations shall be signed by the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who was in charge of the case.

Resolution is announced after consideration of the case has been completed.

In cases envisaged by paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article copy of resolution is handed or sent to the person in question or to his representative within three days from the date of enactment of resolution.

Article 362. Proposals for elimination of reasons and conditions which led to commitment of violation of customs regulations

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in charge of the case on violation of customs regulations, after reasons and conditions which led to commitment of violation of customs regulations have been established, makes proposals to relevant state bodies, companies, enterprises and organisations on measures for elimination of these reasons and conditions.

State bodies, legal entities, within one month from the day when proposals were made, should inform executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, who has made these proposals, about taken measures.

Article 363. Institution of legal proceedings

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who was in charge of the case on violation of customs regulations, on revealing of information about illegal nature of transactions in the course of proceedings under the case or its consideration, shall have the right to appeal to law court for recognition of such transactions.

Article 364. Measures taken with respect to confiscated commodities, means of transportation, accompanying documents and other articles, pawning of commodities and means of transportation, guarantees, deposited sums, arrested property

When making decision with respect to confiscated commodities, means of transportation, accompanying documents and other articles, arrested property, which constitute material evidence under the case, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic which is in control over the case on violation of customs regulations must act in compliance with provisions of article 323 of this Code.

When making decision with respect to confiscated commodities, pawning of commodities and means of transportation, guarantees with respect to property under arrest, which constitute funds covering penalty or cost of commodities and means of transportation, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic which is in control over the case on violation of customs regulations will acts as follows.

With justified confiscation of commodities and means of transportation, their pawning or arrest of the property to provide funds to cover penalty or cost of commodities and means of transportation, such articles will be returned to the person from whom they were confiscated, mortgagor or person - owner of the arrested property, within two months after payment of due sums. Guarantee issued for such objectives looses its legal force after payment of said sums. Sums, transferred to the deposit account are used for necessary payments. If the articles have not been requested after the payment of due sums within two months after delivery of relevant notification, such articles will be placed at the warehouse of temporary storage. On failure to pay due sums the problem of confiscated commodities, means of transportation, mortgage or property under arrest, which constitute funds for coverage of penalty or cost of commodities and means of transportation, and also the problem of security for guarantee issued for these objectives and use of deposited sums shall be settled in compliance with this Code.

With unjustified confiscation of commodities and means of transportation, their pawning, transfer of relevant sums to deposit account to provide funds to cover penalty or cost of commodities and means of transportation, such articles and sums, after groundlessness of said actions has been established, will be returned to the person from whom they were confiscated, or mortgagor. If said articles are not requested by said persons within two months after delivery of relevant notification, such articles will be placed at the warehouse of temporary storage. Term of storing in this case must not exceed six months from the date of notification.

If an object of pawning or arrested property remained with the owner, all bans and restrictions concerning use and disposal of such articles, specified by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, become invalid after payment of due sums or after groundlessness of mortgage of arrest has been established.

Article 365. Provision of security of the activity of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic when implementing proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its consideration

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic who is in charge of the case on violation of customs regulations, when carrying out legal procedures under the case envisaged by this code, have the right to request provision of personal security and protection of public order from the bodies of Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Executives of relevant bodies of Ministry of Internal Affairs, having received request mentioned in the first paragraph of this Article, shall have to provide its implementation and take all measures in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic to call to account persons who forcible prevent executives of the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic to fulfil their obligations under the case of violation of customs regulations.

Chapter 48. Appeal against resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic on the case of violation of customs regulations

Article 366. Appeal of physical person and executive against resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic on imposition of penalty

Appeal against resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic on imposition of penalty may be sent by physical person or executive against whom this resolution was taken, or solicitor or representative of said person, within ten days from the date of resolution.

Appeal against resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic on imposition of penalty might be sent to the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or to the district (city) law court at the place where customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic which has imposed said penalty is located.

Within ten days after decision concerning appeal has been taken by the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, this decision might be appealed against at the district (city) law court at the place of location of the customs body which has imposed penalty, or the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic which has considered appeal.

On failure to undertake due measures within the term specified in this article with valid reasons, this term, by application of the person who has been called to account, his solicitor or representative, might be re-established respectively by the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or law court.

Article 367. Appeal of the enterprise, company and organisation, and also person who carries out business activity without establishment of legal entity, against resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic on imposition of penalty

Appeal against resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic on imposition of penalty may be sent by the enterprise, company and organisation, and also person who carries out business activity without establishment of legal entity against whom this resolution was taken, or by their solicitors or representatives, within ten days from the date of resolution.

Appeal against resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic on imposition of penalty might be sent to the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic. Within ten days after decision concerning appeal has been taken by the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic this decision might be appealed against in compliance with legislation.

On failure to undertake due measures within the term specified in this article with valid reasons, this term, by application of the person who has been called to account, his solicitor or representative, might be re-established respectively by the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or Economic Law Court.

Article 368. Appeal against other resolutions of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic under the case of violation of customs regulations

Resolutions of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic on termination of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations and about return of the case on violation of customs regulations for re-consideration might be appealed against by the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations or his solicitor, or representative, within five days from the day when resolution was issued.

Resolutions of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic about institution of criminal case on crime in the sphere of customs business or about forwarding materials concerning these and other unlawful actions to the other legal protection bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, to settle an issue of institution of criminal case are appealed against as specified by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic on criminal activity.

Article 369. Consideration of resolution under the case of violation of customs regulations in connection with the appeal or protest of public prosecutor, and also as a measure of control, by the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic

When considering resolution under the case of violation of customs regulations in connection with appeal of the person against whom resolution was taken, his solicitor or representative, or in connection with the protest of public prosecutor, and also as a measure of control over observance of legal requirements by executives of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic in the course of investigation of cases of violation of customs regulations, the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic takes one of the following decisions:

1) leaves resolution unchanged, and appeal or protest - without satisfaction;

2) annuls resolution and forwards the case for reconsideration or returns for additional proceedings;

3) annuls resolution and terminates the case;

4) changes imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations, however without making it heavier;

5) annuls resolution on imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations and issues resolution as specified in (3) or (4) of the first paragraph of article 361 of this Code.

In cases envisaged in (2) - (5) above in this article, the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic takes decision. Written notification about taken decision is forwarded to the public prosecutor who issued protest, or the person who appealed, and in cases when said decisions have been taken as a measure of control over observance of legal requirements by executives of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic - to the person with respect to whom resolution under the case was taken.

Article 370. Grounds for annulment or change of resolution on imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations or termination of proceedings under the case

Grounds for annulment or change of resolution on imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations or termination of proceedings under the case are the following:

1) one-sidedness or under-coverage of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its consideration;

2) contradiction between conclusions specified in resolution and actual circumstances of the case;

3) the fact that resolution was taken by unauthorised person or legal provisions of this Code and legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic on unlawful actions have been seriously violated;

4) incorrect qualification of actions or inactivity, failure to use or incorrect use of measures of punishment envisaged by this Code.

Article 371. Term of consideration of appeal or protest of the public prosecutor against resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic under the case of violation of customs regulations by the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic

Appeal against resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic under the case of violation of customs regulations shall be considered within one month from the date when appeal was received at the highest customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic; if appeal does not require additional investigation and check - immediately, however not later than fifteen days from this date. As an exception, term of consideration of the appeal may be extended by the head of the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or his deputy, head of division of the executive power body which is in control over customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic, or his deputy, however it will not be longer than three months. The person who has applied with appeal will be duly notified.

Protest of public prosecutor must be considered within ten days from the date when it was received at the highest customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 372. Reasons and term of suspension of consideration of appeal

Consideration of appeal by the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic is suspended in the following cases:

1) if materials of the case on violation of customs regulations, against which appeal was submitted; have been requested by the bodies of preliminary investigation in connection with institution or investigation of criminal case;

2) if materials of the case on violation of customs regulations as a measure of control are studied by public prosecutor.

Whenever one of the circumstances specified in this article above exists, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, who is investigating an appeal, takes decision about suspension of considerations of appeal with due notification of the person who submitted this appeal.

Consideration of appeal is renewed by decision of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic after reasons for suspension have ceased to exist.

Article 373. Consequences of submission of appeal or protest

Submission of appeal or protest shall not suspend implementation of resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic under the case of violation of customs regulations. Submission of appeal or protest shall not stop implementation of resolution on imposition of penalty as a warning.

Chapter 49. Implementation of resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic on imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations

Article 374. Issuance of resolution on imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations for implementation

Resolution on imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations is issued by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic which has made this resolution for implementation within the term specified for submission of appeals, or on the day when the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, district (city) law court or Economic Law Court of the Azerbaijan Republic has taken decision concerning appeal against the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

The customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic which issued resolution on imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations provides its implementation independently or by sending notifications to financial institution, banks or other credit organisations which have license of National Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic informing them about implementation of resolution, or through the court officers, if there is no other chance to implement said resolution.

If resolution on imposition of penalty is not issued for implementation within one year from the day when it was taken, it will not come into force.

In case of suspension of resolution on implementation of penalty in connection with submission of appeal within specified term, or in connection with the protest within the term specified in the third paragraph of this article, said implementation is suspended before appeal or protest are considered.(8)

Article 375. Implementation of resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic on imposition of penalty and recovery of cost of commodities and means of transportation

Sum of penalty or cost of commodities and means of transportation must be paid by the person who committed violation of customs regulations not later than fifteen days from the date when resolution was handed or sent to this person or his representative, and in case of appeal or protest against such resolution - not later than fifteen days from the date when decision about ignoring such appeal or protest was taken.

Sum of penalty or cost of commodities and means of transportation shall be paid by the person who committed violation of customs regulations to the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic which issued respective resolution under the case, or to banks and other credit organisations which have license of National Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic both in national currency of the Azerbaijan Republic and in foreign currency. Conversion of foreign currency into national currency of the Azerbaijan Republic is accomplished using exchange rate of National Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic existing on the date of payment of penalty or cost of commodities and means of transportation. If said sum of penalty or cost of commodities and means of transportation is not paid within specified term by physical person or legal entity, it will be recovered from the cost of commodities and means of transportation confiscated with such intention, object of pawning or arrested property, by way of presentation of warrant securing payment, transfer of sums in the deposit account, or forcibly - from money profits or money resources of the person who violated customs regulations.

If physical person is unemployed or if recovery of sum of penalty or cost of commodities and means of transportation from money profits and other money resources of physical person or executive is not possible due to other reasons, recovery of sum of penalty or cost of commodities and means of transportation shall be done based on resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic by the court officers by way of arrest of the property of such person or his share in joint property.

In case if sum of penalty or cost of commodities and means of transportation is not paid within specified term by the enterprise, company and organisation and also person carrying out business activity without formation of legal entity, it will be deducted from the cost of commodities and means of transportation confiscated for refunding of said sums, object of pawning or arrested property, by way of presentation of warrant securing payment, transfer of sums in the deposit account, or by sending notification to the banks or other credit organisations which have license of National Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic about issuance of resolutions for implementation, or forcibly - by deduction of required sums from bank accounts of legal entity and physical person as specified by legislation.

Whenever the enterprise, company and organisation and person who carries out business activity without establishment of legal entity has not sufficient money to cover sum of penalty or cost of commodities and means of transportation, these sums will be recovered based on application of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic through the court officers by way of arrest of the property of such person or entity.

Procedure of distribution and use of recovered penalty is established by relevant executive power body.(8)

Article 376. Implementation of resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic on confiscation

Commodities, means of transportation and other articles which are subject to confiscation based on respective resolution shall be confiscated after expire of term established for submission of appeals. If commodities, means of transportation and other articles specified in this article have not been confiscated by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, person who has committed violation of customs regulations, or person who has said articles in his possession must hand over such articles to the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic not later than fifteen days from the day when he received said resolution, and in case of appeal or protest against such resolution - not later than fifteen days from the day when decision about leaving of such appeal or protest without satisfaction.(8)

Article 377. Implementation of resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic concerning recall of the licence or qualification certificate

Resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic on imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations concerning recall of the licence or qualification certificate is issued for implementation by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic which accepted such resolution, independently.

Recalled licence or qualification certificate cease to be valid from the moment when resolution of the executive power body, carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic which accepted such resolution, has been issued for implementation.

The person who was given licence or qualification certificate recalled by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic must hand them over to the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic not later than within fifteen days from the day of delivery or dispatch of said resolution, and in case of appeal or protest against such resolution - not later than within fifteen days from the day when resolution to leave appeal or protest unfulfilled. Failure to fulfil this requirement within specified term will entail responsibility in compliance with this Code for disobedience to resolution or requirement of the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 378. Implementation of resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic on imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations by persons who live or are staying abroad and have no property on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic

Implementation of resolution of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic on imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations by persons who live or are staying abroad and have no property on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic shall be carried out following legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic and international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic with the countries where said persons live or are staying, and also with the countries where the property of the person who has committed violation of customs regulations is located.

Chapter 50. Simplified form of recovery of penalty for violation of customs regulations

Article 379. Simplified form of recovery of penalty for violation of customs regulations

Whenever violation of customs regulations envisaged by articles 244-248, second and third paragraphs of article 249, articles 250-260, 262-265, 267, second paragraph of article 274 and article 283 of this Code are revealed, it is permitted to apply simplified form of recovery of penalty for violation of customs regulations, if such crime is liable to punishment in the form of warning or penalty.

When applying simplified form of recovery of penalty for violation of customs regulations, the case on violation of customs regulations is not initiated, the protocol on violation of customs regulations is not drawn up, no legal procedures are undertaken, and penalty, as a rule is applied at a place where the fact of violation of customs regulations was established.

Article 380. Conditions of use of simplified form of imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations

Simplified form of imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations can be used:

  • with regard to physical persons or executives, in case when they reached eighteen years age and are neither dumb, deaf nor blind, and have no other physical or mental defects, thus preventing them to defend themselves;
  • with regard to enterprises, companies and organisations, and also persons carrying out business activity without establishment of legal entity - in case if at the moment when the crime was discovered there were director or deputy director of the enterprise, company and organisation, and also person carrying out business activity without establishment of legal entity, or their authorised representative.

At the same time, should the persons specified in the first paragraph of this article recognise the fact of violation of customs regulations, their guilt (for physical persons and executives), agree with application of simplified form of punishment, and in the case of punishment in the form of penalty and are able to pay penalty immediately at the place of crime, simplified form of imposition of penalty could be applied to these persons.

Article 381. Procedure of use of simplified form of imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations

After circumstances under articles 379 and 380 of this Code have been established, executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic prepares an act on imposition of penalty which should be regarded as official financial document.

The act should contain:

  • name of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic;
  • date of drawing up;
  • position, full name of the executive, who has issued the act;
  • brief information about the person who has committed violation of customs regulations and his representative, if any;
  • brief information about the fact of violation of customs regulations and reference to an article of this Code envisaging responsibility for such violation;
  • kind of punishment, and in case of penalty - its amount and record confirming payment.

The person who has committed violation of customs regulations or his representative shall confirm the fact of violation of customs regulations, his guilt, consent with the use of simplified form of punishment (this applies to physical persons or executives) in the act and state his readiness to pay penalty immediately.

Copy of the act will be handed to the person who has committed violation of customs regulations, or his representative against receipt.

The form of the act on imposition of penalty is established by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 382. Appeal against the act on imposition of penalty and its consideration as a measure of control

Appeal against the act on imposition of penalty might be handed within ten days from the day when such act was drawn up to the head or deputy head of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic whose executive has issued said act. Head or deputy head of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic whose executive has drawn up the act on imposition of penalty, after consideration of this act in connection with appeal or as a measure of control over observance of legislation by the executives of the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, takes one of the following decisions:

1) leaves punishment unchanged, and appeal or protest - without satisfaction;

2) annuls act on imposition of penalty by his decree and releases the person who has been penalised from responsibility;

3) annuls act on imposition of penalty and issues decree about institution of proceedings on violation of customs regulations, or initiate criminal case on unlawful actions in customs business;

4) changes imposition of penalty for violation of customs regulations, however without making it heavier.

The person who has been called to the account for violation of customs regulations is notified about taken decision.(11)


Section XI
Information and consulting. Initial decisions

Chapter 51. Information and consulting of interested persons on issues of customs business

Article 383. Information on reasons of taken decisions, actions or inactivity

The person with respect to whom decision has been taken by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic shall have the right to apply to this customs body within two months from the day when decision was taken, or action was undertaken, with request about reasons and grounds for taken decision or accomplished action.

The customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic must respond to such request within one month period. In case of written inquiry an answer must be also in writing.

Article 384. Publication of legal acts

Legal acts of the Azerbaijan Republic and international agreements of the Azerbaijan Republic in the sphere of customs business, normative acts of the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic of general nature are published officially.

Executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic provides publication of most important legal acts of the Azerbaijan Republic in the sphere of customs business in mass media and also publication of books with legal acts on customs business.

Article 385. Information about existing legal acts

Information about existing legal acts mentioned in article 384 of this Code is provided to all interested persons free.

Brief references — extracts with main provisions of customs and other legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic which is under the control of the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic are available for public in locations of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 386. Provision of texts of published legal acts

Texts of legal acts mentioned in article 384 of this Code are provided to all interested persons for payment, its rate being specified by the executive power body carrying out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic, with consent of relevant executive power body. Said payment is not taken in cases envisaged by acts of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, including decisions of the executive power body which carries out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 387. Consulting on problems of customs business and other issues which fall under competence of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Consulting on problems of customs business and other issues which fall under competence of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic is carried out by employees of customs laboratories, scientific-research, educational institutions subordinate to the executive power body which carries out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic, and also officers of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic in an order specified by the executive power body which carries out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Payment for consulting is taken at a rate specified by the executive power body carrying out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic, with consent of relevant executive power body. Said payment is not taken in case if specific legal act has not been published and also in other cases envisaged by acts of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, including decisions of the executive power body which carries out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 388. Responsibility for untrue information

Customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, customs laboratories, scientific-research and educational institutions, subordinate to the executive power body which carries out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic are responsible in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic for accuracy of information provided to the persons in line with provisions of this chapter.

Bodies and organisations mentioned in the first paragraph above are not responsible for losses suffered as a result of misrepresentation of text of legal act published outside their control and also for losses resulted from unqualified consulting rendered by persons who are not employees of said bodies and organisations authorised to render consulting services.

Chapter 52. Initial decisions

Article 389. Acceptance of initial decision and its legal value

Executive power body which carries out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic and individual customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic specified by it, at written request of interested persons may take initial decision concerning classification of commodities, their customs cost and country of origin, rates of customs duties and other issues of application of legal acts of the Azerbaijan Republic on customs business with regards to specific commodity or specific operation.

Initial decision is obligatory for customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic. Initial decision concerning commodities to be taken through the customs border of the Azerbaijan Republic is valid within one year.

Payment for acceptance of initial decision is done at a rate established by the executive power body which carries out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic, with consent of relevant executive power body.

Article 390. Request about acceptance of initial decision

The person interested in acceptance of initial decision sends written request to the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic specified in article 389 of this Code.

This request should contain information required for acceptance of initial decision. The request should be complete with samples and specimens of commodities, their description, photographs, sketches, drawings, commercial and other documents, other information depending on the nature of requested initial decision.

The request will be rejected if acceptance of initial decision is not possible.

Article 391. Annulment, change or recall of initial decision

Customs authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic may annul, change or recall initial decision taken by them or by subordinate customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Annulment, change or recall of initial decision shall be done if such decision has been taken based on incomplete or unreliable information submitted by the requesting person (entity) and in case of changes in legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic relevant for initial decision. Annulment or change of initial decision comes into force from the day when decision about annulment or change was taken.

Initial decision may be recalled whenever there are sufficient grounds. Decision about recall becomes valid on expire of one month from the day when it was taken.

On annulment, change or recall of initial decision payment taken for its acceptance shall not be refunded.

Section XII
Disposal of commodities and means of transportation
and use of received funds

Chapter 53. Disposal of commodities and means of transportation

Article 392. Confiscation in favour of the state

Commodities, means of transportation and other articles confiscated in compliance with provisions of legislation of Azerbaijan Republic, including criminal cases in the sphere of customs business and also commodities and means of transportation rejected by the person in favour of the state become state property.

Procedure of confiscation of commodities and means of transportation in favour of the state is established by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, and concerning other issues - by the executive power body which carries out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic together with relevant executive power body.(11)

Article 393. Disposal of commodities, means of transportation and other articles confiscated in favour of the state

Commodities, means of transportation and other articles confiscated in favour of the state will be sold, if not specified otherwise by the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, at customs auctions, commodity exchanges, or through trade enterprises and organisations (including those established by the executive power body which carries out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic, with consent of relevant executive power body.

Payment for participation in customs auctions will be taken at a rate specified by the executive power body which carries out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Costs of transportation, storage and sale of commodities, means of transportation and other articles confiscated in favour of the state shall be refunded at the expense of sums received from their sale.

Employees of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, customs laboratories, scientific-research and educational institutions subordinate to the executive power body which carries out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic, and members of their families cannot themselves or through intermediaries purchase commodities, means of transportation and other articles which have been confiscated in favour of the state.

Executive power body which carries out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic has the right, following decision of relevant executive power body, to hand over without payment confiscated objects of cult — to religious organisations, and objects of art, history — to museums.

Article 394. Recovery of lacking sums

If sums resulted from sale of commodities, means of transportation and other articles confiscated in favour of the state do not cover expenses of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic lacking part of money will be recovered from the declaring person or other person responsible for payment of customs duties.

Article 395. Disposal of commodities, means of transportation and other articles which have not been sold or are not subject to sale

List of commodities, means of transportation and other articles confiscated in favour of the state which are not subject to sale is specified in legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Regulations on disposal of commodities, means of transportation and other articles confiscated in favour of the state which have not been sold or are not subject to sale at customs auctions, commodity exchanges or through trade enterprises and organisations are specified in legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Chapter 54. Use of funds received in compliance with this Code

Article 396. Money received as a result of withdrawal of customs duties, VAT and excises

Money received as a result of withdrawal of customs duties, VAT and excises are transferred to the state budget.

Article 397. Money received for provision of information and consulting services

Money received for provision of information and consulting services regarding customs business are used for increase of wages of the employees of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, customs laboratories, scientific-research and educational institutions subordinate to executive power body carrying out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic, as this body specifies.

Article 398. Other resources

Money received as a result of sale of commodities, means of transportation and other articles confiscated in favour of the state following decisions of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic or law courts with regards to crime in the sphere of customs business, violation of customs regulations, customs duties, penalties and other payments under this Code are transferred to the extra-budgetary fund for development of customs system of the Azerbaijan Republic and used for improvement of material-technical base and social conditions of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, customs laboratories, scientific-research and educational institutions subordinate to executive power body carrying out business activity in the Azerbaijan Republic, including fund of material incentives and social cultural events.

Regulations on extra-budgetary fund for development of customs system of the Azerbaijan Republic and rules of spending money of the fund are approved by relevant executive power bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic.(11)

Section XIII
Appeals against decisions, actions or inactivity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executives.
Consideration of appeals

Chapter 55. Submission of appeals

Article 399. Sphere of application of this section

In all cases of appeals against decisions, actions or inactivity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executives relevant legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic and provisions of this section shall apply.

Article 400. Right for submission of appeals

Any legal entity and physical person whose rights have been violated and whose legal interests suffered, has the right to appeal against decisions (including normative acts), action or inactivity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executives in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 401. Initial appeal

Initial appeal against decisions, actions or inactivity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executives is submitted respectively to the higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or higher executive.

It is forbidden to submit applications and appeals to those bodies or to those executives whose illegal actions are appealed against.

Article 402. Term of initial appeal

Initial appeal is submitted within three months from the day of notification of the person about respective decision or accomplishment of action.

On failure to notify the person about taken decision initial appeal may be submitted within six months from the day when decision was taken.

In case of inactivity, initial appeal may be submitted within three months from the expire of three months period after respective customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic or their executives received written request about taking of decision.

Article 403. Term for consideration of initial appeal

Initial appeal must be considered within one month, and appeal which does not require additional investigation and check - within maximum fifteen days. The higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic may extend the term for consideration of appeal, however not more than for one month.

Article 404. Renewal of the term for appeal

In case if term for submission of appeals specified in article 402 of this Code has expired due to valid reasons, this term may be renewed at request of the person who submitted appeal by decision by the executive power body of the Azerbaijan or its executives.

Article 405. Form of appeal

Appeal is submitted in writing and forwarded to respective customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or executive.

Article 406. Consequences of submission of appeal

Submission of appeal shall not suspend implementation of resolution or action except cases envisaged by the second paragraph of this article.

If the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or executive who received appeal have sufficient grounds to believe that decision or action which have been appealed against do not comply with existing legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, they may fully or partly suspend implementation of said decision or action.

Article 407. Assistance of the person who submitted initial appeal

The person who submitted initial appeal must assist customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executives in consideration of circumstances of the case.

Article 408. Withdrawal or annulment of initial appeal

The person who has submitted initial appeal may withdraw or annul it at any moment before decision is taken. Withdrawal or annulment of appeal shall be done by written application of said person.

Re-submission of initial appeal must be done within the term established for such actions.

Article 409. Decision of the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic or its executive with regards to initial appeal

Decision of the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic or its executive with regards to initial appeal is accomplished in writing. For the person who submitted appeal decision might be less favourable than that he disagrees with. The person who submitted appeal must be notified about taken decision.

Decision concerning appeal which is of general nature will be published.

Article 410. Re-appeal and subordinance

Repeated appeals against decisions, actions or inactivity of the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executives in the course of customs control, customs clearing, implementation of proceedings concerning violation of customs regulations and their consideration (except appeals against resolutions of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic on such issues and acts on imposition of penalty in simplified form) and other issues which do not interfere with economic policy of the Azerbaijan Republic shall be submitted to the district (city) law court at the place of location of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, or at the place of employment of the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic whose decisions, actions or inactivity are appealed against.

Repeated appeals against decisions, actions or inactivity of the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executives may be also submitted to the Economic Law Court of the Azerbaijan Republic in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Repeated appeals against decisions, actions or inactivity of the executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic and its executives may be submitted to the General Prosecutor of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 411. Procedure of submission, consideration and settlement of repeated appeals

Procedure of submission, consideration and settlement of repeated appeals is established in compliance with relevant legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Chapter 56. Consideration of decisions, actions or inactivity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executives in connection with the protest of public prosecutor and as a measure of control

Article 412. Protest of public prosecutor

Protest of public prosecutor shall be considered by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or its executive within ten days from the day when this protest was received by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic. Information about results of consideration of the protest shall be sent in writing to public prosecutor.

Article 413. Consideration of decisions, actions or inactivity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executives by the higher customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and higher executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic as a measure of control

The higher customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or the higher executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic may, at any time, as a measure of control over observance of legal procedures, annul or change decision of subordinate customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or subordinate executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also take any measures envisaged by legal acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.


Section XIV
Executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Chapter 57. Legal status of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Article 414. Executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Only citizens of the Azerbaijan Republic capable - owing to their education, professional skills, health, business and moral sense - of fulfilling tasks of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic may work as executives in customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic.

For newly appointed executives at the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic test six months term may be established.

Citizens of the Azerbaijan Republic newly appointed to the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic take the following oath:

«I swear, when implementing authorities of the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, to observe Constitution and legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, to protect economic sovereignty and security of the Azerbaijan Republic to fulfill my responsibilities and to obey disciplinary rules of the customs service».

The procedure of the ceremony of taking the oath is approved by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Executives of the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic are assigned special ranks. Procedure of assignment of special customs rank is approved by relevant executive power body.

Executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic are wearing uniform. Uniform of executives of customs bodies shall be approved by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic, and regulations on its use - by the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic. Uniform is supplied to the executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic free.

Provisions of paragraphs 5 and 6 of this article apply also to the heads and specialists of customs laboratories, professors and teachers, specialists of scientific-research and educational institutions subordinate to the executive power body carrying out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 415. Guarantees of proper implementation of service responsibilities by the executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, when implementing his service responsibilities, shall follow legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic and obey orders of higher officials.

Illegal influence or interference in any form into decisions taken by customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic and its executives, or in any actions accomplished by this executive is not permitted and entails responsibility specified in this Code.

Executives of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic have no right: to carry out commercial activity (including through intermediary persons), to act as attorneys for third persons on customs issues, to carry out any paid part-time work (except teaching and creative activity), to implement work of civil legal character on contractual basis related to customs business, to render any assistance contrary to legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic to third persons using their official position for payment, privileges and services, to take part independently or through representative in management of economic subjects.

Offence of the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, threat, resistance, violence, encroachment on his life, health and property will entail responsibility in compliance with this Code and other legal acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 416. Obligatory implementation of legal instructions or requests of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic

Legal instructions or requests of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic are obligatory for implementation by enterprises, companies and organisations, state bodies and their executives and also other employees, including physical persons.

Disobedience to legal instructions or requests of executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, and actions preventing implementation of responsibilities assigned to this person, entail responsibility envisaged by this Code and other legislative acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Chapter 58. Use of physical force, special means and fire-arms

Article 417. Conditions and limits of use of physical force, special means and fire-arms

In case and in an order specified by this Code executives of the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic shall have the right to use physical force, special means and fire-arms.

Executives of the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic must pass special training, and also regular check for ability to act in conditions where physical force, special means and fire-arms are used.

When using physical force, special means and fire-arms executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic must:

warn about intention to use them, having left enough time for fulfillment of his requests, except cases when delay in application of physical force, special means or fire-arms creates direct threat to his life and health, may entail other grave consequences, on sudden or armed attack, attack with the use of military equipment and means of transportation, in other circumstances when such warning in said conditions is out of place or impossible;

provide first aid to persons who got injured, and notify immediately the head of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic of his deputy;

when eliminating danger, depending on nature and degree on danger of unlawful action and persons who committed this action, and force of counteraction try to minimise any damage.

Head of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or his deputy must immediately notify public prosecutor about all fatal cases or heavy bodily injuries.

Use of physical force, special means and fire-arms with excess of authority entails responsibility established by legal acts of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 418. Use of physical force

Executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic have the right to apply physical force for prevention of unlawful actions, arrest of persons who committed this action, overcoming of resistance, suppression of disobedience to legal instructions of demands, prevention of access to the premises, territory, to commodities and means of transportation being under the customs control, other actions preventing fulfillment of obligations of these executives, if these responsibilities cannot be fulfilled in other way.

Article 419. Use of special means

Executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic have the right to use handcuffs, rubber truncheons (batons), tear gas, special unlocking devices, means for forcible stop of moving vehicles, other special means where it is necessary:

1) to repulse attack on personnel of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic or other persons;

2) to repulse attack on buildings, rooms, structures and means of transportation belonging to customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic or used by them, on commodities and means of transportation which are under the customs control, and also to release said objects should they be captured;

3) to arrest persons who have violated order, to convey them to the premises of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic should these persons demonstrate disobedience, resistance, other counteraction and may cause harm to the people or to himself;

4) to prevent physical resistance towards executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic;

5) to stop means of transportation if its driver disobeyed request of the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic to stop;

6) in other cases of deliberate hindrances to the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic in implementation of his obligations.

It is forbidden to use special means with regards to women with clear signs of pregnancy, disability and small children except cases when they demonstrate resistance with the use of fire-arms, in case of group attack which threatens life and health of people, safety of commodities and means of transportation which are under the customs control.

In a state of necessary defence or urgent need executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, when no special means are available, has the right to use fire-arms or any other available means.

Complete list of special means used in customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic is defined by relevant executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 420. Carrying, storing and use of fire-arms

During implementation of their official duties some categories of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republi, specified in the list, approved by the respective executive power body of the Azerbaijan Republic are entitled to carry, store and use service fire-arms in an order and cases established by the legislation.(6)

Article 421. Use of fire-arms

As a last measure, executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic mentioned in article 420 of this Code have the right to apply fire-arms in the following cases:

1) to repulse attack on personnel of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic or other persons;

2) to stop attempt to seize fire-arms belonging to executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic (attempt of the person arrested by the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic to approach fire-arms closer than permitted or to touch it shall be regarded as an attempt to seize this fire-arms);

3) to repulse armed or group attack on buildings, rooms, structures and means of transportation belonging to customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic or used by them, on commodities and means of transportation which are under the customs control;

4) to arrest a person demonstrating armed resistance and also armed person refusing to obey righteous demand to return fire-arms;

5) to stop means of transportation having caused damage to them, if the driver creates real danger for life and health of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and disobeys their repeated demands to stop;

6) to render harmless animals which create threat to life and health of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic;

7) to warn about intention to use fire-arms, give alarm signal or signal asking for help.

The verbal warning or warning shot should be done before using the fire-arms. The fire-arms may be used without warning only in the following cases:

1) surprise, i.e. unexpected attact;

2) fire-arms, mechanical transport means to be used in case of attacking by predatory, wild and other animals constituting a menace; (6)

It is forbidden to use fire-arms with regards to women, persons with clear signs of disability and small children, and also if as a result of use of fire-arms other people may suffer and if there are crowds of people. The only exception will be cases of armed resistance, group or other attack which threatens life and health of executives of the customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic must immediately notify the head of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or his deputy about the use of fire-arms in writing, said officials must inform public prosecutor within 24 hours from the moment of the use of fire-arms.

Chapter 59. Payment of wages, state material provision and social protection of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic (1)

Article 422. Guarantees of payment of wages, state material provision and social protection of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

The state guarantees improved terms of payment of wages, level of material provision and social protection of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic with the intention to create material grounds for fair implementation of office responsibilities by these executives.

Article 423. Payment of wages to executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Wages of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic consist of wages paid at established rates, wages for different ranks, extra amounts paid for knowledge of foreign languages, for fair service during the term over five years, other additions.

Terms of payment of wages to executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic are defined based on status of these bodies as legal protection bodies.

Article 424. Payment of allowances in case of death of the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, bodily injury and compensation of damage

In case of death of the executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, bodily injury which prevent him from further professional activity, or other bodily injuries, damage to his property as a result of implementation of his office responsibilities single allowance will be paid and damage will be reimbursed in an order and in an amount specified by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic for legal protection bodies.

Article 425. Compulsory state insurance of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic are subject to compulsory state personal insurance as specified by legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic for legal protection bodies.

Article 426. Taxation of profits received by executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic in the course of implementation of office responsibilities

Taxation of profits received by executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic in the course of implementation of office responsibilities shall be done in accordance with conditions and terms envisaged in legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic for legal protection bodies. (9)

Article 427. Vacation of the executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Additional vacations for long service are given to executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic in accordance with provisions of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic with respect to legal protection bodies.

Article 428. Provision of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic with apartments and telephones

Executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic are provided with apartments, and on application - by telephones in accordance with provisions of legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic with respect to legal protection bodies.

Customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic might possess stock of apartments as specified by relative executive power body.

Article 429. Rights of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic for use of transport

Executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic implementing their office responsibilities have the same right for use of transport means as other officials of legal protection bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 429-1. State protection of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

The security measures will be applied by authorised governmental bodies in an order stipulated by the respective legal acts in view of fulfillment of an official duties by the executives of customs bodies, with the purpose of protection of life and health, house, property of these persons or their close relatives.

The security measures will be applied to the executive after dismissal or moving to another position, due to fulfillment of the same official duties. (1)

Article 430. Provision of pensions for executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their families

Executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their families are getting pensions as established in legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic for the persons who were employed in legal protection bodies and their families.

After retirement executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic will have the right for medical services in same medical institutions where they were registered during their service.

Chapter 60. Responsibility for administrative infringement of law threatening status of executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and normal activity of customs bodies. Proceedings under such cases of infringement of law and their consideration

Article 431. Disobedience to legal order or request of the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic

Disobedience to legal order or request of the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic when the latter is implementing his office responsibilities, except cases envisaged in articles 244, 250-252, 258, 259, 280, 434-440 of this Code will entail imposition of penalty in the amount from 5 to 10 minimum wages.

Article 432. Offence of the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, persons implementing customs control and customs clearing and those participating in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its consideration, and also invited witnesses

Offence of the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic in connection with implementation of office obligations, and also auditors, experts, specialists, interpreters, witnesses, invited witnesses seconded or invited for participation in implementation of customs control and customs clearing, participation in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its consideration, if the above is not the case for criminal responsibility, will entail imposition of penalty in the amount from 5 to 10 minimum wages.

Article 433. Threat of violent actions with respect to the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, persons participating in customs control and customs clearing and also in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its consideration, and also invited witnesses

The threat of infliction of light bodily injures, beating or infliction of other forcible actions with respect to the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, who is carrying out his office obligations, and also auditors, experts, specialists, interpreters, witnesses and invited witnesses, seconded or invited for participation in customs control and customs clearing, participation in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its consideration, and also invited witnesses will entail imposition of penalty in the amount from 5 to 10 minimum wages, or arrest for fifteen days.

Article 434. Refusal of the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations from issuance, or non-presentation, of commodities, documents, other articles and information, required for proceeding under the case of violation of customs regulations and its consideration

Refusal of the person who has been called to account for violation of customs regulations from issuance, or non-presentation without good reasons, within the term established by the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, which is in charge under the case of violation of customs regulations, of commodities, documents, other articles and information, required for proceeding under the case of violation of customs regulations and its consideration to same executive, or auditor or specialist acting on his behalf, will entail warning or imposition of penalty in the amount from 2 to 7 minimum wages.

Besides said sum of penalty, surcharge will be taken for each day of delay with presentation of commodities, documents, other articles and information, in the amount of 1% of their cost, beginning from the day of expire of established term.

Article 435. Refusal of other persons from issuance, or non-presentation, of commodities, documents, other articles and information, required for proceeding under the case of violation of customs regulations and its consideration

Refusal of other persons, besides those who have been called to account for violation of customs regulations, from issuance, or non-presentation without good reasons, within the term established by the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, which is in charge under the case of violation of customs regulations, of commodities, documents, other articles and information, required for proceeding under the case of violation of customs regulations and its consideration to same executive, or auditor or specialist acting on his behalf, will entail warning or imposition of penalty in the amount from 2 to 7 minimum wages.

Article 436. Refusal of witness or avoidance of explanations

Refusal or avoidance of witness to give explanations under the case of violation of customs regulations, without good reasons, except cases of giving evidence against the witness himself, his spouse and close relatives (closeness of relationships is defined by legislation) shall entail warning of the person to be questioned as a witness, or imposition of penalty in the amount from 2 to 10 minimum wages.

Article 437. Creation of obstacles for audits, inspections, inventories or refusal from their implementation

Facts of creation of obstacles for implementation of audits, inspections, inventories at request of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic by officials of enterprises, companies, organisations and also persons involved in business activity without establishment of legal entity shall entail warning of said official, or imposition of penalty in the amount from 10 to 15 minimum wages.

Article 438. Refusal or avoidance of the expert of giving conclusions, interpreter - of participation in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its consideration, and specialist above all - of participation in implementation of customs control and customs clearing

Refusal or avoidance, without good reasons, of the expert of giving conclusions, interpreter - of participation in proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its consideration, and specialist above all — of participation in implementation of customs control and customs clearing shall entail in warning or imposition of penalty up to 5 minimum wages.

Article 439. Refusal or avoidance of official of the enterprise, company, organisation of implementation of order or request to carry out expertise, or request to invite a specialist or interpreter

Refusal or avoidance, without good reasons, of official of the enterprise, company, organisation which received request of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic to carry out expertise, or to invite a specialist or interpreter for participation in customs control, customs clearing, proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its consideration, to implement said requests shall entail in warning or imposition of penalty from 2 to 5 minimum wages.

Article 440. Creation of obstacles to the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic in implementation of customs inspection and other legal procedures

Creation of obstacles to the executive of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic in implementation of customs inspection and other legal procedures as specified in this Code, if such action does not involve criminal responsibility or liabilities as per other articles of this Code shall entail in warning or imposition of penalty from 2 to 10 minimum wages.

Article 441. Use of property which has been arrested without permit of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, or failure to observe requirements and constrains on such use

Use of property which has been arrested without permit of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, or failure to observe requirements and constrains on such use established by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic shall result in penalty in the amount from 10 to 100 minimum wages.

Imposition of administrative punishment will not release the person guilty in infringement of the law from responsibility to compensate damage made as a result of use of said property .

Article 442. Illegal action with the intention to influence taken decision and accomplished activity

Illegal action or interference in any form by the enterprises, companies and organisations, their executives, with the intention to influence decision taken by the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or its executive, or to influence actions of said executive; similar action or interference of persons who carry out business activity without establishment of legal entity and physical persons will result in warning or imposition of penalty on directors, other executives, employees, persons who carry out business activity without establishment of legal entity and physical persons - in the amount from 2 to 10 minimum wages.

Article 443. Proceedings under cases on infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their consideration

Proceedings under cases on infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their consideration will be carried out in compliance with section X of this Code and provisions of this chapter, and as for other issues — in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic concerning administrative infringement of the law.

Cases on administrative infringement of the law mentioned in the first paragraph above are considered in district (city) law courts.

Article 444. Victim and his rights

Victim or his representative may take part in proceedings under the case of administrative infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and its consideration.

Victim is the person who suffered moral, physical or proprietary loss as a result of administrative infringement of the law as specified in this chapter. The fact of recognition of the person as a victim is registered in the protocol of his questioning.

Victims may be executives of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also auditors, experts, specialists, interpreters, witnesses in relation with their participation in customs control, customs clearing, proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations and its consideration.

The victim has the right to be acquainted with materials of the case, to use services or solicitor or representative - legal adviser, to present evidence, to submit applications, to be present when the case is considered, to appeal, to reject candidatures of executives of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic or judge who is in charge of the case.

The victim might be questioned about the circumstances of the infringement. Explanations of the victim are subject to check and estimate together with other facts.

Article 445. Specific nature of the case on administrative infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Specific nature of the case on administrative infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

In case of administrative infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, simultaneously with violation of customs regulations or at the moment of its discovery, it is permitted to register information required for consideration of the case on administrative infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic in the protocol on violation of customs regulations.

Executive of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic may not control proceedings under the case on administrative infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, and expert, auditor, specialist may not take part in proceedings or consideration of this case, if one of this persons is a victim or its relative. On termination of proceedings under the case on administrative infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, before such case is sent for consideration, copy of resolution, within three days from the day of its issuance is handed or sent to said person. And also victim or his representative such resolution of customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic might be appealed against by the person with respect to whom the case was terminated, or his representative, and also victim or his representative within ten days from the day when the resolution was issued, in an order specified in Article 366 of this Code.

In the course of proceedings under the case of violation of customs regulations or its consideration materials on administrative infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic must be isolated for separate investigation.

Article 446. Forwarding of the case of administrative infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic to consideration

After proceedings under the case of administrative infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic have been completed, the head of respective customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic, his deputy or authorised official of the executive power body which carries out customs business in the Azerbaijan Republic issues a resolution about forwarding of such case for consideration by the judge of district (city) law court, not later than fifteen days before the term for imposition of penalty expires. This resolution shall contain:

  • name of the customs body of the Azerbaijan Republic which has issued resolution;
  • full name of the executive who issued resolution;
  • date and plate of issuance of resolution;
  • information about the person whom this resolution concerns;
  • circumstances established during proceedings under the case;
  • reference to an article of this Code envisaging responsibility for committed infringement of the law;
  • name of district (city) law court where the case will be considered.

Resolution will also indicate costs of proceedings.

Article 447. Procedure of consideration of the case on administrative infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Judge of district (city) law court shall consider the case on administrative infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic individually, in an order and in accordance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Article 448. Specific character of imposition of penalties for administrative infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Whenever one person commits two and more administrative infringements of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic, administrative penalty is imposed as specified in article 233 of this Code. Where one person violates customs regulations as specified in section X of this Code and administrative infringement of the law hampering normal activity of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic as specified in this chapter, penalties for these infringements shall be imposed for each infringement separately.

Penalty for commitment of administrative infringement of the law envisaged in this chapter may be imposed not later than two months from the day when it was committed.

The term of administrative arrest if it lasted twenty four hours and more will be accounted for when imposing a punishment in the form of administrative arrest.

Term of administrative arrest and term of staying under administrative arrest are accounted day for day.

Administrative arrest may not be applied to military men and persons mentioned in Article 227 of this Code.(11)

Chapter 61. Responsibility of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic and their executives

Article 449. Responsibility of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic are responsible for damage caused to persons and their property as a result of their illegal decisions, actions or inactivity, and also illegal decisions, actions or inactivity of their executives and other employees during implementation of their service and working obligations.

Caused damage is reimbursed in usual order, in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Damage, caused as a result of legal actions shall not be reimbursed.

Article 450. Responsibility of executives and other employees of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic

Executives and other employees of customs bodies of the Azerbaijan Republic bear disciplinary, administrative, criminal and other responsibility in compliance with legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic.


Published in «Azerbaijan» newspaper (5-6 August, 1997)

Published in the «Code of Legal Acts of the Azerbaijan Republic», 1997, ¹ 6, article 447.


Changes and amendments introduced to the Code

1. Law of the Azerbaijan Republic ¹ 706-IGD of 5 October, 1999 -- «Azerbaijan» newspaper, 12 October, 1999, ¹ 234.

2. Law of the Azerbaijan Republic ¹ 183-IGD of 5 October, 2001 -- «Azerbaijan» newspaper, 1 December, 2001, ¹ 274.

3. Law of the Azerbaijan Republic ¹ 193-IGD of 12 October, 2001 -- «Azerbaijan» newspaper, 28 November, 2001, ¹ 271.

4. Law of the Azerbaijan Republic ¹ 203-IGD of 12 October, 2001 -- «Azerbaijan» newspaper, 1 December, 2001, ¹ 274.

5. Law of the Azerbaijan Republic ¹ 219-IGD of 23 November, 2001 -- «Azerbaijan» newspaper, 29 December 2001, ¹ 298.

6. Law of the Azerbaijan Republic ¹ 210-IIGD of 19 October, 2001 -- «Azerbaijan» newspaper, 8 January, 2002, ¹ 5.

7. Law of the Azerbaijan Republic ¹ 356-IIGD of 2 July, 2002 -- «Azerbaijan» newspaper, 27 August, 2002, ¹ 196.

8. Law of the Azerbaijan Republic ¹ 409-IIGD of 24 December, 2002 -- «Azerbaijan» newspaper, 10 January, 2002, ¹ 7.

9. Law of the Azerbaijan Republic ¹ 398-IIGD, 3 December, 2002 -- «Azerbaijan» newspaper, 16 January, 2003, ¹ 12.

10. Law of the Azerbaijan Republic ¹ 385-IIGD, 3 December, 2002 -- «Azerbaijan» newspaper, 15 January, 2003, ¹ 11.

11. Law of the Azerbaijan Republic ¹ 568-IIGD, 30 December, 2003 -- «Azerbaijan» newspaper, 15 February, 2004, ¹ 38.

12. Law of the Azerbaijan Republic ¹ 598-IIGD, 5 March, 2004 -- «Azerbaijan» newspaper, 1 April, 2004, ¹ 75.


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