Dedicated truck parking lots to be established at Bagratashen and  Agarak customs checkpoints

ArmInfo. Dedicated truck parking lots will be established near the Bagratashen and Agarak customs checkpoints. The corresponding bill was approved during the government session on July 23.

As noted by Eduard Hakobyan, Chairman of the State Revenue Committee  (SRC), this is a vital reform aimed at stimulating and simplifying  exports, which will be implemented through the introduction of two  systems.

Specifically, the initiative involves creating a queue management  system near border checkpoint areas and establishing a legal  framework for establishing parking lots. According to Hakobyan, this  decision serves as a public offer for private investors to construct  modern parking facilities adjacent to customs checkpoints, providing  orderly and professional service for freight trucks engaged in export  transport through Armenia's customs posts.

He pointed out that the decision to establish such parking lots in  Bagratashen and Agarak is driven by the heavy concentration of  freight trucks at these specific locations. On average, Bagratashen  handles over 250 trucks per day, while Agarak handles more than 220.

The parking facilities must be located no more than 20 kilometers  from the customs checkpoint, cover an area of at least 3,000 square  meters, feature an asphalt or concrete surface with road markings,  and be equipped with electronic management systems and CCTV cameras.  "All of this must be integrated with our digital customs systems,"  Hakobyan stated.

He added that the queue management system will be transparent and  accessible to everyone, with the maximum service fee capped at 5,000  drams. Furthermore, a three-tier priority system has been established  for vehicle movement from the staging areas to the customs  checkpoints:  ?    First Priority: Perishable goods (fish, meat and  meat products, dairy products, vegetables, etc.).  ?    Second  Priority: Goods transported under special customs procedures intended  for international events, diplomatic cargo, and donor aid goods.  ?     Third Priority: Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) holding  compliant taxpayer certifications.

According to Hakobyan, specific exceptions have also been outlined  where vehicles are not required to enter the staging areas. "These  are exceptional cases, specifically goods necessary for mitigating  the consequences of natural and man-made emergencies, large vehicles,  and others," he concluded.