The Parliament adopted, in the first reading and under an accelerated procedure, amendments to the Customs Code with 80 votes. The amendments concern mechanisms for preventing the illegal movement of narcotic drugs and other prohibited substances.

Presenting the draft, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze stated that the amendments envisage the establishment of joint groups composed of representatives of the Central Criminal Police Department and the Customs Department. These groups will operate at border checkpoints, ports, airports, and designated postal facilities.

According to Darakhvelidze, the primary function of the joint groups will be to monitor cargo entering and leaving the country and to inspect suspicious goods and shipments.

“In addition, a unified centralized system will be created to conduct preliminary checks of suspicious cargo based on documentation. These legislative amendments aim to establish an effective cargo control system and ensure that Georgia is not used as a transit route for drugs and other illegal goods,” Darakhvelidze noted.

The draft law also provides for an increase in fees for certain vehicle-related services. The changes apply exclusively to cases of temporary vehicle importation, as well as export or re-export. Fees for issuing transit license plates, conducting expert examinations, and preparing relevant customs and administrative documentation will increase.

The draft law was initiated by the Government of Georgia and authored by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.