Import of mobile phones to Azerbaijan may be restricted
By Rashid Shirinov
Azerbaijani citizens will have the right to import a mobile phone for personal use once in two years, a source in the telecommunication market of the country told Trend on August 3.
This new method will possibly come into force in the near future. That will launch a more effective fight against ‘shadow’ imports of mobile phones in Azerbaijan, which in turn will increase revenues to the state budget.
“The current volume of ‘gray’ mobile phone market of Azerbaijan reaches about 80 percent. One of the important aspects of the application of new method is support of entrepreneurship, as ‘gray’ deliveries have a negative impact on the activities of official distributors, who are now actually on the verge of bankruptcy,” the source added.
Registration of mobile devices purchased abroad will be carried out under the name of the user by his or her identification code listed on the ID card or passport.
“During the registration of a device, a citizen will be notified about the right to apply for registration of another mobile phone after two years. A final decision on the period of re-application for registration of a new device is still pending, and this issue is under discussion,” Trend was told.
The state budget loses approximately $50 million per year due to illegal import of mobile devices. Monthly cases of registration of mobile devices by individuals in the system of IMEI-codes amounts to 50,000, while the number of official supplies to the country is slightly above 1,000. The vast majority of devices reach Azerbaijan through smuggling, and the remainder is being bought abroad for personal use.
Mobile devices imported into the country must be registered within the first 30 days of their import. This rule does not apply to tourists and visitors coming to Azerbaijan, whose mobile phones works in roaming. Registration may be carried out on website imei.az or at the main post office of Azerpost.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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