Over the years of its existence, the civil service has undergone several structural changes. The milestones of its formation are presented in an illustrated publication dedicated to the activities of the department over a quarter of a century.

The service monitors compliance with national customs legislation and fights smuggling, including narcotic substances and other items prohibited for movement across the State Border of Turkmenistan, as well as customs offenses, collects taxes and duties for the transportation and transit of goods entering the state budget, conducts statistical reporting cargo flows.

The main document regulating the activities of the Service is Customs Code, which came into force on January 1, 2011. The Code defines the principles government regulation customs affairs, contributes to the interests of our country. Legal status employees and military personnel of customs authorities and the procedure for their service are regulated by the Laws of Turkmenistan “On the Customs Service”, “On the Status and social protection military personnel and members of their families,” says the inspector of the department of law and international relations State Customs Service Chemengul Bayramova. – Our department is structural unit, providing legal basis activities of department employees, compliance with official ethics and personal responsibility.

Thanks to ultra-modern technical re-equipment and high requirements for personnel training, the State Customs Service as a structure has transformed into a perfect tool for controlling international and transit cargo transportation. All service posts have now received new buildings or undergone a radical reconstruction with the introduction of progressive methods of customs control. In accordance with modern realities, the level of technical equipment of posts is increasing, and working methods are being improved. The department's military personnel have at their disposal a stationary inspection and search system, video equipment, radiation monitoring devices, X-ray equipment, a local and intradepartmental communication system that meets international standards for customs cargo services.

In the context of the successful implementation of the national strategy for the integrated development of the transport and logistics sector, the formation of a modern information and communication system, the requirements for the level of vocational training customs officers. The Military Institute of the Ministry of Defense of the country annually graduates 25 highly qualified specialists - officers trained at the faculty of customs affairs. The Training Center at the Service runs training courses for recruits and professional retraining for military personnel in various directions- says the boss Training center Captain Suleiman Orazov. – The training program includes thematic lectures, language training, political classes, as well as training sessions on working with customs equipment. The center is equipped with samples and working models of all technical means customs control.

The current anniversary year for the employees of the Service was marked by professional, creative and sporting achievements. On the eve of Independence Day, the best of them were awarded state awards. The musical group of the State Customs Service won the Presidential Prize. Two lieutenants of the service personnel - athletes Gulnar Khaitbaeva and Zukhra Madraimova - have repeatedly become winners in national championships in goresh wrestling. And recently they won gold medals and valuable prizes at the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan.

Thanks to the personal attention of the head of state to improving the work of the Customs Service, various facilities were built: houses with official housing, buildings of velayat customs offices and their posts, sports facilities. Recently a new post was opened at the capital's International Airport, where it works automated system inspection of goods, cargo and passengers. In September 2014, the Central Customs Terminal was opened, built at the intersection of major transport arteries of international road traffic between Europe and Asia. The terminal is part of the area of ​​responsibility of the Ashgabat City Customs Department, and three combined posts with modern technical equipment operate here, all conditions have been created for the convenience of international cargo carriers and the acceleration of trade turnover across the Turkmen border. Together with the terminal near the city of Anau, Ahal velayat, two checkpoints were put into operation - “Artyk” and “Serakhs autoyollary”. A new building was built in the business part of the capital on Archabil Avenue Central office civil service, which operates a situation center where all parameters of our country’s cargo flows are monitored in real time. In addition to office space, the building has a multifunctional sports hall and a conference hall.

All necessary information and the procedure for processing customs documentation can be found on the website - www.customs.gov.tm

If the quantity or nature of the goods suggests that the goods will be used in commercial purposes, you must pay customs duties and other taxes. This also applies to any other goods imported for profit. Importation is not considered commercial if the goods are imported by an individual in accompanied luggage for personal or family purposes or as gifts

Customs regulations for passengers

Commercial imports are always subject to tax.

If the quantity or nature of the goods suggests that the goods may be used for commercial purposes, customs duties and other taxes must be paid for them. This also applies to any other goods imported for profit.

Importation is not considered commercial if the goods are imported by an individual in accompanied luggage for personal or family purposes or as gifts

Mandatory declaration.

Goods the import of which is restricted or taxed customs duties, excise taxes, or other payments are subject to mandatory declaration in writing. Goods not intended for production or commercial purposes are declared individuals in a simplified manner, without filling out the passenger form customs declaration.

The purpose of the goods is determined by the customs authority based on the application of an individual about goods transported across the customs border of Turkmenistan, taking into account the following:

• nature of goods and their quantity
• frequency of goods movement

Declaration of goods.

The declaration must be completed by those individuals who have reached the age of majority.

Goods belonging to persons who have not reached the age of majority must be declared by their parents, adoptive parents, trustees, guardians or other individuals acting under the power of attorney of these persons.

Rules for the import and export of foreign currency from Turkmenistan by individuals.

Individuals can import foreign currency in cash into Turkmenistan without any restrictions, but by declaring them to the customs authorities. Individuals may export from Turkmenistan their currency in the amount of no more than 10,000 US dollars or the equivalent of this amount in another currency, as well as currency that was previously imported in cash and declared to the customs authorities of Turkmenistan, upon presentation of a customs declaration confirming the right to import.

Import of goods without paying customs duties and taxes.

Goods imported by individuals in hand luggage across the customs border of Turkmenistan whose total weight does not exceed 60 kg, including 1 kg. jewelry are exempt from customs duties.

For every 1 kg. exceeding the permissible 60 kg. A customs duty of US$10 will be charged.

For every 1 gram. jewelry exceeding the permissible 1 kg. A customs duty of US$0.20 will be charged.

An individual may import for personal use without paying excise duty:

• alcoholic drinks in the amount of 1.5 liters
• tobacco products in the size of 2 packs

Choose the right corridor!

To ensure that individuals have the opportunity to declare their belongings in a simplified manner and quickly, “green corridor” and “red corridor” access systems are provided at customs border crossing points.

Choose the red corridor if you have goods subject to customs declaration or mandatory application about their availability.

The green corridor entry system is used by individuals to verbally declare their belongings to customs authorities, thereby declaring that the goods are eligible.

Rules for the import of domestic animals and plants.

Customs clearance domestic animals and plants subject to veterinary and phytosanitary control can be completed only after agreement with the relevant authorized government agencies exercising such control.

Import and export of fuel.

Fuel from a factory standard gas tank of a motor vehicle traveling to Turkmenistan or beyond its borders is not subject to customs duties.

Import of medicines.

A passenger may bring with him prescription medications intended for self-treatment. The passenger must justify that the medications are intended for his treatment. Import of medications purchased with a prescription is carried out by presenting a prescription. Subject to the above conditions, the import of medicines is not subject to declaration.

Goods transported across the customs border of Turkmenistan by individuals according to decisions of the relevant government bodies.

*Permit is required only for export.

Goods that are prohibited for import, export (shipment) across the customs border of Turkmenistan.

The import of the following goods and their export from the customs territory is prohibited in accordance with legislation and international agreements, based on the protection of national security, public order, morality, life and health of people, property rights, as well as objects of intellectual property rights, flora and fauna, artistic, historical and archaeological resources of people, as well as taking into account other interests of Turkmenistan:

• all types, types and models of weapons by citizens in order to ensure personal safety (including gas cartridges, stun guns, brass knuckles, flails, etc.)
• children's air pistols, revolvers, machine guns, shotguns and other devices with the ejection of plastic and other bullets
• motor vehicles with right-hand drive or converted from right-hand drive to left-hand drive
• motor vehicles, not counting the year of manufacture, which are over 5 years old
• high-speed sports cars, as well as passenger cars with engine displacement over 3,500 cc
• pornographic printed, video, photo, film and audio products*
• printed and audiovisual materials, other media containing information that could harm the political and economic interests of Turkmenistan, its state security, and the protection of health and morals of the population*
• weapons, ammunition, military equipment and components and materials specially designed for their production
• explosives
• nuclear materials, including materials in the form of fuel assemblies
• sources, ionizing radiation
• technologies and special equipment that can be used to create weapons and military equipment
• pyrotechnic products (fireworks (except for sparklers and flints, candles and torches ignited by gunpowder), firecrackers, flare guns)
• narcotic substances, psychotropic drugs, precursors, technologies or devices for their production and use
• poisons and toxic substances
• canceled securities
• bottle cap labels and others packaging materials, intended for the production of all types of alcoholic products

* Transport in transit through the territory of Turkmenistan is also prohibited.

Goods that are prohibited for export (shipment) across the customs border of Turkmenistan by individuals.

• mumiyo
• licorice root
• licorice root extract
• propolis
• precious and semi-precious stones and their semi-finished products
• jewelry without hallmark
• Domestic bird
• fish of the sturgeon family, living and non-living, their parts and products of their processing
• animals, plants and their parts listed in the Red Book of Turkmenistan

Temporary storage of seized goods.

Any prohibited or transported goods in excess of established standards, subject to customs duties, discovered during customs inspection, must be placed in temporary storage by the customs service of Turkmenistan until they are satisfied the necessary conditions required for the import or export of goods and items across the customs border of Turkmenistan. Temporary storage period, for perishable goods no more than three (3) days, for other goods no more than one (1) month.

Goods that, when exported across the customs border of Turkmenistan, are not subject to customs duties and are not limited in quantity.

Goods that, when exported across the customs border of Turkmenistan, are not subject to customs duties and are not limited in quantity.

• Sewing products
• Knitwear
• Shoes
• Fabrics
• Tobacco and tobacco products
• Alcoholic drinks
• TV-video-audio and radio equipment
• Cars
• Carpets and carpet products self made(upon provision of conclusion)
• Mineral water
• Soft drinks
• Greens and melons, fruits (July-August months)
• Pasta
• Bee honey
• Table salt
• Tomato paste (tomato)
• Ice cream and other types edible ice with or without cocoa
• Factory carpets
• Finished goods from iodine
• Packaged healing mud and sea salt
• Sterile dressings
• Medical cosmetic cotton wool
• Medical mineral water
• Felt boots
• Tile adhesive
• Canned herbs and fruits
• Animal intestines
• Leather products (raw materials and in the form of primary processing)
• Confectionery
• Canned fish
• Cottonseed oil

Rules for the temporary import of goods and items by individuals across the customs border of Turkmenistan and their re-export.

Persons who import goods into Turkmenistan on the condition that they will be exported back (for example: cameras, laptops, professional technical equipment for funds mass media etc.) must be declared upon import to the customs border of Turkmenistan and exported back upon presentation of a customs declaration confirming import.

Vehicles and their trailers (semi-trailers) belonging to 8703 product group Product Nomenclature Foreign Economic Activity, which are permanently registered in foreign countries, are allowed to be imported into the customs territory of Turkmenistan by foreign citizens and stateless persons for a period established by the customs authorities based on the relevant confirmation extended by the customs authorities for the period provided in the visa.

Such vehicles are processed at the border by the customs authorities of Turkmenistan upon completion of the re-export obligation in two (2) copies. The first copy remains with the customs authority, and the second copy is issued to the owner of the vehicle, which is the basis for the re-export of the vehicle from the customs territory of Turkmenistan.

Vehicles temporarily imported by foreign citizens and stateless persons into the territory of Turkmenistan with the obligation of re-export are subject to mandatory export from the customs territory of Turkmenistan at the end of the established period and cannot be alienated on the territory of Turkmenistan.

Inspection of goods.

When traveling by bus or car, the passenger should go through the inspection hall with his luggage, if the luggage inspection is not carried out in vehicle. According to the rules, the passenger being searched is required to disassemble his luggage for inspection, as well as repack the luggage after inspection. The passenger is obliged to provide his personal data upon request of the customs officer.

A passenger who is in charge of luggage or imported goods belonging to another person should go through the inspection hall together with the owner of the goods in order to avoid payment obligations and other consequences arising from the possible excess of the permitted volumes of imported goods.

Baggage arriving in the country after the passenger has arrived.

Goods for personal use, which the Passenger can import without paying, are also considered to be goods subject to customs duties, if the luggage is not in accompanied luggage, which exceeds the established limits, and arrives after the passenger's arrival.

Phone numbers for information

Tel.: +993 12 394066, +993 12 394171