Foreign car in Georgia — 90 days, insurance, import tax
A foreigner can drive their own foreign-registered car in Georgia for 90 days. Overstaying, selling the car or handing it over without customs clearance leads to penalties. We help with the time limit, insurance, customs clearance and fines.
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Under Finance Minister Order No. 257, a foreign-registered car or motorcycle brought in by a foreign citizen (including dual citizens) may stay in Georgia for 90 calendar days. Within that time it must leave, be cleared through customs or be placed under temporary import. For longer use, the Customs Code allows temporary import for up to 3 years with partial relief — 3% of the import tax for each month.
Border insurance covering the whole stay is compulsory on entry: for a car, 15 days — GEL 30, 30 days — GEL 50, 90 days — GEL 90, 1 year — GEL 295. Driving without it is fined GEL 100 (Administrative Offences Code, Article 191¹).
Penalties and risks
| Breach | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Overstaying / late declaration | GEL 50 a day, up to GEL 1,000 (Customs Code, Article 165) |
| Breaking the conditions of a customs procedure | GEL 500, repeat — GEL 1,000 (Article 171) |
| Selling or handing over the car without clearance | 100% of the import duties (Article 172) |
| Driving without border insurance | GEL 100 |
Customs clearance from 2026
Since 2 April 2026, excise on passenger cars depends on engine size and age (Tax Code, Article 188). A car recorded in the MIA database, or whose shipment began, before 2 April is taxed at the old rates. Importing a passenger car is exempt from VAT.
| Car | Excise |
|---|---|
| 0–6 years old | GEL 1.50 per cm³ |
| Over 6 years old | GEL 4.50 per cm³ |
| Right-hand drive | Three times the rate |
| Hybrid, 0–6 years (left-hand drive) | 60% less |
| Electric (left-hand drive) | Exempt |
Import tax is added: GEL 0.05 per cm³, plus 5% of that amount for each year of use. For example, an 8-year-old car with a 2,000 cm³ engine pays GEL 9,000 excise and GEL 140 import tax.
Our services
- Assessing the 90-day limit and temporary import
- Temporary import procedure for up to 3 years
- Customs clearance and tax calculation
- Appealing customs fines
- Selling or transferring the car lawfully
- Border insurance and driving licence questions
Questions & answers
How long can a foreign-registered car stay in Georgia?
90 calendar days. Then it must leave, be cleared or be placed under temporary import — for up to 3 years.
What is the fine for overstaying 90 days?
GEL 50 a day, up to GEL 1,000.
Can I sell my foreign-plated car in Georgia?
Only after customs clearance. Selling or handing it over without clearance is fined 100% of the import duties.
How much is car import tax in Georgia in 2026?
Excise is GEL 1.50 per cm³ for cars up to 6 years old and GEL 4.50 for older ones; right-hand drive pays triple. Import tax is added; there is no VAT.
Legal basis
- Customs Code of Georgia
- Finance Minister Order No. 257 — customs procedures
- Tax Code of Georgia
- Compulsory border insurance for foreign vehicles
- Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia
Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge.
Related practice area: Administrative law
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