Sea Freight from China to Tbilisi, Georgia — Transit, Duty and Clearance
China → Tbilisi · via TBS air / Poti sea · clearance by Georgian Revenue Service
For buyers shipping into Tbilisi, the practical question is not the ocean or flight time but what happens after arrival. Tbilisi is capital and the country's main market; cargo enters through TBS air / Poti sea, and allow +1 day for the inland leg on top of clearance.
Clearance itself is handled by Georgian Revenue Service, and typical dwell at the gateway runs 2–6 days.
Duty, tax and clearance into Tbilisi
Georgian Revenue Service assesses duty and tax on cargo arriving for Tbilisi consignees. Current regime: VAT 18%; customs duty of 0%, 5% or 12% only — and 0% on most goods under the China–Georgia free trade agreement, with a de-minimis position of GEL 300 for personal parcels.
Conformity is the part most first-time importers underestimate: Technical regulation conformity for regulated goods; certificate of origin to claim FTA preference. Getting this wrong is expensive because it usually cannot be fixed after the cargo has landed.
Restrictions and known friction points for Georgia: The FTA preference requires a correctly issued certificate of origin; without it the standard 0/5/12% tariff applies. Black Sea sailing schedules can be affected by regional shipping conditions.
How this lane actually runs
Georgia has had a free trade agreement with China since 2018 — the only one in the Caucasus — so most goods enter duty-free with a valid certificate of origin, leaving only 18% VAT. Poti and Batumi also serve as the Black Sea end of the Middle Corridor for cargo continuing to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Central Asia.
| Sea gateways used | Poti, Batumi, Anaklia (under development) |
|---|---|
| Sea transit, China to gateway | 25–35 calendar days via Suez to the Black Sea |
| Gateway serving Tbilisi | TBS air / Poti sea |
| Inland leg to Tbilisi | +1 day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 2–6 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
What to sort out before the cargo leaves China
- Put the Tbilisi delivery address, contact name and phone number on the invoice, not just the packing list.
- Get the conformity paperwork moving early: Technical regulation conformity for regulated goods; certificate of origin to claim FTA preference.
- Book earlier than the transit time suggests during Sep–Nov, when space on this lane tightens.
- Photograph carton markings and seal numbers before departure — it makes any claim far easier to settle.
- Check the de-minimis position (GEL 300 for personal parcels) against your invoice value before you decide how to split the shipment.
- Use ISPM-15 treated pallets. Untreated wood is the most common reason otherwise-clean cargo gets held.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Tbilisi take?
China to the Georgia gateway is 25–35 calendar days via Suez to the Black Sea. On top of that, allow 2–6 days of clearance with Georgian Revenue Service and a +1 day inland leg to Tbilisi.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Tbilisi?
Georgian Revenue Service applies: VAT 18%; customs duty of 0%, 5% or 12% only — and 0% on most goods under the China–Georgia free trade agreement. The de-minimis position is GEL 300 for personal parcels. Under a DDP arrangement these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival in Tbilisi.
What certification do I need for Georgia?
For regulated goods, plan for: Technical regulation conformity for regulated goods; certificate of origin to claim FTA preference. Missing conformity paperwork is the single most common cause of a hold, and in most cases it cannot be remedied once the cargo has arrived.
Can you ship batteries or sensitive cargo to Tbilisi?
Yes. Battery cargo by sea moves under UN3480/UN3481 with an MSDS, and the dangerous-goods documentation is prepared as part of the booking into Poti, Batumi, Anaklia (under development). Surcharges apply and space is more limited than for general cargo.
Which port or airport does cargo for Tbilisi clear through?
Cargo for Tbilisi is routed via TBS air / Poti sea. Sea gateways for Georgia are Poti, Batumi, Anaklia (under development); air gateways are TBS (Tbilisi), BUS (Batumi). We pick whichever gives the shortest total door time for your address.
What documents does Georgian Revenue Service require?
A commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading or air waybill, a certificate of origin where it lowers duty, and any product certification (Technical regulation conformity for regulated goods; certificate of origin to claim FTA preference). We prepare and file these as part of the service.
Other delivery cities in Georgia
References & official sources
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity requirements for Georgia change by ministerial decision, sometimes mid-year. The figures on this page are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your own HS code with Georgian Revenue Service or your broker before you ship.
- Georgian Revenue Service
- WTO — Tariff Profiles (applied MFN duty by country)
- IPPC — ISPM 15 wood packaging standard
- WCO — Harmonized System nomenclature
- IMO — IMDG Code for dangerous goods by sea
Page data last reviewed: July 2026.
Get a rate for Tbilisi
This lane is quoted per shipment rather than from a published rate card, because the landed cost depends on the commodity, its density, the conformity requirements above and the delivery point. Send the cargo details and we will come back with a full DDP figure.