Transit prices soar sixfold: Georgia sharply increases license plate fees

A legislative initiative has been introduced in the Georgian Parliament, providing for a large-scale revision of tariffs for the services of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Service Agency. Deputies are considering the document in an accelerated mode, since the changes directly affect cars passing through the country in transit, as well as foreigners engaged in the export and re-export of cars purchased in Georgia.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs explains the increase by the need to bring tariffs in line with the actual cost of maintenance. The most noticeable change concerned transit license plates: their cost increases immediately by 640% — from 50 to 370 GEL. Tariffs for other services are also increasing: checking a car in the agency's premises will cost 180 GEL instead of 100, and an on-site inspection will cost 200 GEL instead of 130.

The increase in price also affected the processing of documents. Filling out a customs declaration or registration certificate, including data transfer, will now cost 200 GEL (previously 130). In addition, the project introduces new categories of services: transit numbers for the transportation of export or re-export cargo worth 150 GEL, as well as a certificate of issuing transit signs for 20 GEL.

According to the explanatory note, the purpose of the reform is to optimize administrative procedures and improve the efficiency of resource use. However, such a sharp increase in cost may significantly change the working conditions for car dealers, carriers and buyers who traditionally use Georgia as a convenient hub for the transit and export of cars.