Customs clearance is a meticulous process where even a minor oversight can lead to legal consequences. Many businesses worry: is every slip-up punished with a fine? In this article, we clarify how errors are classified and what penalties apply.
Typos and Technical Slips
If a customs declaration contains a simple typo or a mistake that does not change the meaning or significance of a term, the customs authorities allow for correction without any fines. This is considered a non-essential error.
Non-Tariff Errors and the 10,000 AMD Fine
There are cases where the error is more serious than a typo but does not result in a reduction of payments to the state budget. For example:
- Incorrect HS Code (that doesn't change the duty rate),
- Wrong vehicle plate number,
- Inaccuracies that do not change the amount of customs duties.
In such cases, a fine for violation of customs rules is applied in the amount of 10,000 AMD.
Errors Affecting Payments
The most common issues relate to the incorrect calculation of customs fees:
- Underpayment: If an error leads to lower calculated fees, the fine is 20% of the unpaid amount, but no less than 30,000 AMD.
- Overpayment: If you overpay due to an error, the excess is refunded, but a symbolic 10,000 AMD fine is issued for providing incorrect information.
Most Severe Penalties
The most serious violation is importing or exporting goods that require a permit or license without the proper documentation. This results in a fine of 30% to 50% of the customs value (Price of goods + shipping costs to the RA border).
How to Avoid Fines
To protect yourself from financial losses, the best solution is to hire professionals. On Brokers.am, you can create a free request to find experienced customs brokers. Their activities are insured, meaning that in case of an error, you will receive compensation ccording to the contracts.
