Customs Legally Collected AZN 141.3 Million from Members of Foreign Economic Activities in April

In four months of this year, the State Customs Committee provided the transfer to the state budget of funds totaling 483 million 252 thousand manat, which is 4.1% more than in the comparable period of 2014.

According to the SCC, in April this year it collected 141.3 million manat of customs duties and taxes, which is the highest level since December 2011 (170.7 million AZN).

This year, the customs prescribed the plan for the state budget of at least 1 billion 590 million manat. Some analysts, referring to the discrepancy of indicators on import and export operations with many countries of the world, believe that the SCC appropriates annually at least 1-1.5 billion manat from the illegal import of goods.

The participants of foreign economic activity argue that, despite claims by the government on anti-corruption, the customs bodies of Azerbaijan are still one of the most corrupt government agencies. In recent years, legislation on the regulation of foreign trade and customs procedures has undergone significant changes. The mechanism of the passage of goods through the customs borders and automated through the use of information technology. Nevertheless, entrepreneurs complain about all sorts of obstacles in the import and export operations.

"Our company is importing agent for transport. For bribes days delayed goods at the customs office, Customs Laboratory is of poor quality goods, although there is a quality certificate from the exporting country and the local independent laboratory. After passing these barriers we are forced to issue goods to the companies unknown to us, which is supposedly the actual importer, although the costs of customs clearance of goods shall be our firm," said a representative of one of the firms. --08B