Three arrested, 16 charged over car re-export tax scam that cost Georgia GEL 550,000

Investigators at the Finance Ministry have uncovered a scheme in which a gang used falsified car re-exports to dodge import taxes, costing the state budget more than GEL 548,809. The ministry’s Investigation Service, which worked with the Prosecutor’s Office, announced the findings.

Following the investigation, three individuals have been arrested, and 16 have been charged. One of them was charged in absentia after failing to appear before investigators.

“The investigation established that in 2025 and 2026, members of an organised group used forged documents to register cars under the re-export procedure on paper only. They also recruited 15 foreign nationals into the scheme and paid them for their involvement.

In total, 138 vehicles were registered for re-export, but none left Georgia within the legal deadline. In such cases, the vehicles are treated as imports and the relevant taxes must be paid.

The failure to pay import duties cost the state budget GEL 548,809.38.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 210 and 185 of the Criminal Code, which carry sentences of four to seven years in prison,” the Investigation Service said.