Wood packaging import rules: Armenia

ISPM 15 on imports

Required

Enforced since

—

Treatments

HT, MB (ISPM 15); phytosanitary certificate may be accepted in lieu of the mark

Plant protection authority

Food Safety Inspection Body of Armenia (plant quarantine)

Common pallet sizes

1200 × 800 mm (EUR)
1200 × 1000 mm

Main ports

Poti (Georgia, transit), Batumi (Georgia, transit), Bagratashen–Sadakhlo border crossing, Meghri (Iran border)

Overview

Armenia lists among the countries that require ISPM 15 for wood packaging, and the New Zealand MPI table adds the note that a phytosanitary certificate will be accepted in place of the IPPC mark. The country is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, whose common quarantine rules treat unmarked wood packaging from outside the union as a phytosanitary risk, and plant quarantine checks at the border are carried out by the national food-safety inspectorate. A year of first enforcement could not be confirmed, so the field is left empty. Armenia has no seaport. Containers arrive through the Georgian ports of Poti and Batumi and travel by truck or rail over the Upper Lars–Sadakhlo–Bagratashen route, or from the south through Iran via Meghri and Agarak. Rail connections to Russia pass through Georgia and are limited, so road haulage dominates. Inspection typically takes place at the land border or at an inland customs terminal near Yerevan. If packaging fails inspection, authorities may require treatment, destruction or re-export at the importer's cost. Pallet use follows both Russian and European patterns. EUR-type 1200 × 800 mm and 1200 × 1000 mm pallets are the main sizes, and cargo from Russia often shows the latter. There is no verified national pooling scheme. Exporters should apply heat-treated, stamped pallets to avoid disputes at the border.

Key points

• Landlocked: sea cargo normally transits Georgia or Iran
• Member of the Eurasian Economic Union, which applies common phytosanitary requirements
• NZ MPI notes Armenia will accept a phytosanitary certificate in lieu of the ISPM 15 mark
• Non-compliant packaging can be refused, treated or returned

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. New Zealand MPI – ISPM 15 requirements by country
2. IPPC country page – Armenia

Import rules change. Confirm current requirements with the national plant protection organization or your importer before shipping. This page is general information, not legal advice.