Upper Lars is the only road border crossing actually operating between Georgia and Russia, located in the Darial Gorge in the Caucasus Mountains. Most trucks travelling from Türkiye to Russia via Georgia use this crossing. Because of winter closures and long queues, it requires a backup route in shipment planning.
Where is the crossing and why is it so decisive?
Upper Lars (Russian: Verkhny Lars) lies on the 212 km Georgian Military Road connecting Tbilisi with Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia. The checkpoint on the Georgian side is at Dariali near Kazbegi (Stepantsminda). The road crosses the 2,379-metre Jvari Pass near Gudauri, then descends through the Terek River valley to the Darial Gorge.
The other crossings between Georgia and Russia run through Abkhazia and South Ossetia; since Georgia regards these regions as outside its control, international commercial transport does not use these crossings. As a result, most road trade between Russia, Armenia and Georgia is squeezed onto a single mountain road. The Russian side closed the crossing in 2006 and reopened it years later on Armenia's initiative. This history shows that the crossing is also exposed to political developments.
When does it close and why do queues form?
- Winter and avalanches: The Gudauri–Kobi section frequently closes between November and April because of snow, blizzards and avalanche risk. A closure can last from a few hours to several days; when it reopens, passenger vehicles go through first, then heavy vehicles.
- Landslides and floods: In the summer months, too, landslides in the Darial Gorge can cut the road.
- Capacity: The customs area is narrow, and the two countries' checks are carried out one after the other. After 2022, the road through Ukraine became unusable, shifting traffic to the Caucasus. An announcement by the Ankara Chamber of Commerce dated 7 April 2022 refers to queues at Sarp caused by disruptions at Lars and recommends the Aktaş and Türkgözü crossings to drivers.
- Missing documents: A single error in the pre-arrival notification or transit document can leave a vehicle waiting at the site for days.
What procedures take place at the border?
- Export and transit formalities are completed on leaving Türkiye; since Russia is not a party to the Common Transit Convention, a TIR carnet is usually used on this route.
- Georgia is crossed in transit; the entry and exit customs offices process the carnet.
- Before entry into Russia, cargo and vehicle information is notified electronically in advance as required by the rules of the Eurasian Economic Union.
- Georgian exit takes place at Dariali and Russian entry at Verkhny Lars: passport, vehicle and document checks and, if necessary, a physical inspection.
- The vehicle proceeds under TIR seal to the customs office of destination.
The driver's Russian visa, the CMR, the commercial invoice and bilateral transport permits should be checked before departure. Details of the Georgian leg are in the transit to Russia via Georgia entry.
Why is a backup route essential?
| Route | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia – Upper Lars | Shortest road route | Winter closures, dependence on a single crossing |
| Georgia – Azerbaijan – Dagestan (Samur / Yarag-Kazmalyar) | No mountain pass | Second transit country, extra documents and time |
| Iran – Azerbaijan – Dagestan | More predictable in winter | Iranian transit permits and payment restrictions |
| Black Sea Ro-Ro | Bypasses land borders | Dependence on the sailing schedule |
A detailed comparison of the routes is given in the road routes from Türkiye to Russia entry. For cargo with a fixed delivery date, the plan should state in advance on which day the switch to which alternative will be made if Lars closes.
How does Voltim Global support this?
Since March 2024, Voltim Global has made more than 450 shipments from Russia to Akkuyu. On this line, most loads were carried via the Tuapse–Taşucu Ro-Ro and some by road via Upper Lars–Georgia and Iran. In planning the Russia–Türkiye and Akkuyu supply line and international road transport, the route is chosen according to season and border conditions.