Road freight from Türkiye to Azerbaijan runs on two main branches: for mainland Azerbaijan, trucks cross into Georgia via the Sarp, Türkgözü or Aktaş border gates and enter Azerbaijan via the Red Bridge; cargo bound for Nakhchivan uses the Dilucu gate in Iğdır. Shipments move with a CMR, commercial invoice, road transport permit and, in most cases, a TIR carnet; customs clearance is completed at Azerbaijani customs at destination.
Which routes are used?
There is no direct land border between Türkiye and mainland Azerbaijan. A truck heading for Baku, Ganja or Sumgayit first enters Georgia. The list of land border gates of the Ministry of Trade (Ticaret Bakanlığı) shows three active gates on the Georgian border: Sarp (Artvin, opposite gate Sarpi), Türkgözü (Ardahan, opposite gate Vale) and Aktaş (Ardahan, opposite gate Kartsakhi). The vehicle transits Georgia and usually enters Azerbaijan at the Red Bridge border crossing. Details of the Georgian leg are explained in the entry on the Sarp border gate.
The second branch is Nakhchivan. The Dilucu gate in Iğdır (opposite gate Sadarak) is Türkiye's only land gate to Nakhchivan. Because Armenian territory lies between Nakhchivan and mainland Azerbaijan, there is no direct road connection between the two regions; in practice, Dilucu is therefore used for cargo to be delivered to Nakhchivan.
Which documents are required?
- Commercial documents: commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin if required and product-specific certificates.
- Transport document: the CMR consignment note; Türkiye, Georgia and Azerbaijan carry out transport under the CMR Convention.
- Customs transit document: Türkiye, Georgia and Azerbaijan are parties to the TIR Convention (Azerbaijan acceded in 1996). A single TIR carnet therefore allows sealed transport from the customs office of departure to the customs office of destination in Baku.
- Road transport permit: A Turkish-plated vehicle needs a bilateral or transit permit for Azerbaijan. Since December 2024, electronic permits have also been used between the two countries; the permit type and quota status are checked before the trip.
- Driver and vehicle documents: passport, vehicle registration, international insurance (green card) and tachograph records.
How does the shipment proceed step by step?
- The dimensions, weight and delivery terms of the cargo are clarified; a full or part load vehicle is chosen.
- The export declaration is opened at the customs office of exit in Türkiye or at the customs office at the place of loading.
- The TIR carnet is issued and the vehicle is sealed.
- The vehicle enters Georgia via Sarp, Türkgözü or Aktaş and transits the country.
- Entry into Azerbaijan takes place at the Red Bridge; the transit operation is directed to the customs office of destination.
- At the customs office of destination in Baku, the customs representative appointed by the consignee lodges the import declaration, duties and taxes are paid and the seal is removed.
Who is responsible for customs clearance in Baku?
Import customs clearance is the responsibility of the consignee, i.e. the importer in Azerbaijan; under DDP delivery this burden passes to the seller. The description of goods, the GTİP (Turkish HS/tariff code) and the weight data must match exactly across the invoice, packing list and CMR. Discrepancies are the most frequent reason for vehicles being held at destination customs.
Azerbaijan as a bridge to Central Asia
Baku is not just a destination. Caspian ferries departing from the Baku International Sea Trade Port in Alat carry trucks to the coasts of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Azerbaijan is therefore also a transit country for cargo moving to Central Asia via the Middle Corridor. Details are in the entry on the Caspian Sea ferry crossing.
Common mistakes
- Planning cargo for mainland Azerbaijan via Dilucu
- Not checking the permit type (bilateral or transit) before the trip
- Stating different gross weights and package counts on the invoice and the CMR
- Committing to a delivery date without allowing for the frequent truck queues at Sarp and the Red Bridge
How does Voltim Global support you?
Voltim Global plans Azerbaijan trips with contracted carriers as part of international road transport; the TIR carnet and transit formalities are handled through contracted customs brokers. Throughout the journey, the customer sees the driver's location, transmitted from the Voltim mobile app, in the customer panel; a daily status report for each vehicle is also sent by e-mail.