Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

Azerbaijan may apply seasonal customs fees in its territory, according to the draft Law on Customs Tariffs that was reviewed at a meeting of the parliamentary committee for economic policy on Thursday.

"In order to improve prompt control over export and import operations in Azerbaijan, the use of seasonal customs duties is assumed in certain cases. [But] the application of such duties cannot last more than six months," said Mirgasim Vahabov, head of the finance and currency regulation department at the State Customs Committee, who presented the bill to the legislature.

The system of customs fees adopted in 2001 is currently in effect in Azerbaijan. The rates of 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 percent are applied in the country.

According to Vahabov, the draft law, which consists of 23 clauses, defines the rules on the formation and application of the customs duties, including levying of such fees from goods transported across the border.

The goals of passing this law include protecting the national economy from the negative impact of external competition and providing conditions for the country's integration into the world economy.

Vahabov also noted that the document will reflect the issues of declaring the customs value of goods, the confidentiality of data, the rights and obligations of the declarators and of the customs body, and exemption from customs duties.

Exemption of securities, national and foreign currencies brought to the country from customs duties is also proposed in the draft law on Customs Tariffs.

The draft law also envisages exemption from customs duties of the logistics, fuel, food and other products to support the activity of Azerbaijani fishing vessels as well as the vessels leased by private individuals and legal entities in Azerbaijan. Personal belongings, home appliances and tools necessary for the work of labor migrants are to be exempt as well.

Moreover, if an executive body cannot meet the production needs using local resources, customs benefits on import of raw materials and equipment may be applied.

In conclusion of the discussions, the draft law was recommended to be mulled at the plenary session of the parliament.