In 2017, the reforms implemented by the RA State Revenue Committee in the customs sphere have affected the improvement of business activity, which can be seen in the index of receipts.

First Deputy Chairman of the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia Samvel Avetikyan stated this at the February 26 press conference, noting that in 2017 customs revenues of the state budget made 318.3 billion drams, which is 60.2 billion drams or 23.4% more than in 2016.

According to him, in January, 2018 the customs authorities provided more than 18 billion drams to the state budget, which is more than 3 billion drams or 20% more than the indicator of the beginning of 2017.

At the same time, the growth of revenues could have been ensured in the conditions of not paying VAT on the border for importing machinery, equipment and raw materials. "As a result of the new law starting January 1, 2018, in January from the customs value of production machinery and equipment of more than 13.2 billion drams imported to Armenia was not paid VAT of AMD 2.6 billion. The tax burden on businessmen has been reduced, allowing them to increase the working capital by furthering business development, "Samvel Avetikyan emphasized.

In order to improve the business environment, a new approach to imported cars is being used since 2017. The SRC Deputy Chairman assured that the car customs clearance process lasts for about 20 minutes. "On the website of the Customs Authority there is already information on the customs value of the car, and in the nearest future will be available the automated customs calculator of the car".

Continuously is updated information about the quantity of goods, importers and transaction value of about 250 items in the site. Samvel Avetikyan also informed that customs clearance of cargo accompanied by imported vehicles is also being carried out in the places of car registration. "At Petekamutner.am website, the share of the transaction price method of determining the customs value of imported goods is published monthly, for separate products the share of the transaction price method is 68%".

From the initiatives undertaken during 2017, the SRC's First Deputy Chairman has highlighted the introduction of the "Customs Clearance" system, thanks to which physical persons are no longer forced to pay the customs agents for declaration of goods for personal use because the customs officials are responsible for the formulation without charging any fee. For access to the automatic customs clearance system non- qualified customs clearance specialists were engaged in the process.

According to Samvel Avetikyan, in 2018 it is envisaged to make electronic declaration, submit and maintain documents electronically, by introducing a "green path" autonomous system. "In order to improve the risk management system, a" blue track "will be added, the centralized systems for the processing and analysis of electronic scales, X-ray observation equipment, as well as the mechanism of application of online GPRS resources will be charged."

The First Deputy Chairman of the State Revenue Committee separated from the novelties 2018 the preliminary declaration of the goods transported through the customs border, and submission of preliminary information. "Automated system of customs clearance of goods for personal use of individuals will be launched," Samvel Avetikyan said, adding that customs authorities will be provided with an opportunity to view and queue, and on Petekamutner.am official website will be published information on imported cars' customs value from third countries.

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