Georgia’s Proposed 2026 Limits on Older Car Imports Explained

Public statements from Georgian authorities indicate that significant changes to how older passenger vehicles are imported and registered may take effect from April 1, 2026. According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA), a government decree has been adopted that would restrict the initial and temporary registration of certain M1 category passenger vehicles older than six years, with several exemptions and transitional arrangements described in ministry communications.

Because implementing regulations, enforcement practices, and any parliamentary amendments can evolve, international shippers should treat this information as guidance only and confirm the latest rules directly with official Georgian authorities before making time‑sensitive purchase or shipping decisions.

What Is Currently Reported About the 2026 Vehicle Rules?

MEPA has stated that, under a government decree, the import, first registration, and temporary registration of M1 category vehicles older than six years are expected to be restricted in Georgia from April 1, 2026, with electric vehicles excluded from this age limit. Public explanations from the ministry frame the measure as part of a broader effort to modernize Georgia’s vehicle fleet and reduce transport-related emissions.

Several Georgian and regional news outlets have also reported on the policy direction, describing it as a planned ban on importing or registering passenger vehicles older than six years, while noting that the underlying legislation and implementing details are still being discussed and refined. Because media reports may summarize or interpret official language, they should not be treated as a substitute for primary legal documents.

How M1 Passenger Vehicles Are Generally Defined

In MEPA’s clarifications, M1 vehicles are described as motor vehicles with a maximum gross weight of up to 5 tonnes, designed to carry passengers and their luggage, with no more than eight seats in addition to the driver. This aligns with the broader UNECE vehicle category framework, where M1 typically covers standard passenger cars, SUVs, crossovers, and small passenger vans.

Importers who are unsure whether a particular vehicle qualifies as M1 are encouraged—by MEPA’s own guidance—to confirm classification with the Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia before relying on any assumptions. This is especially important for vehicles that sit near category boundaries, such as certain light commercial or mixed‑use models.

How Vehicle Age and Dates May Be Interpreted

MEPA’s publicly available clarifications indicate that the potential restriction is targeted at vehicles “older than six years,” with age determined by the year of manufacture. In many markets, this is typically derived from the manufacturer data on the vehicle identification plate or documentation, but the exact method of calculation and any rounding rules are ultimately determined by Georgian authorities.

Some trade and logistics commentary has suggested that the start of transport or the date on the transport document (for example, the bill of lading for sea freight) could be relevant when assessing whether a vehicle falls under transition exemptions. However, shippers should not assume that any one interpretation is definitive; instead, they should ask their local customs broker or Georgian customs directly how officials are currently applying the date and age rules in practice.

Who Could Be Impacted If the Rule Is Enforced as Described?

If the described restrictions are implemented in line with MEPA’s current communications, several segments of the market could be affected:

• Buyers of older used passenger cars shipping to Georgia for local registration, particularly vehicles more than six model years old.

• Dealers and traders who have historically relied on Georgia’s relatively flexible model-year environment and use ports such as Poti for regional distribution.

• Re-export and transit operators, who may see changes in how vehicles can be processed if they are temporarily registered in Georgia before onward sale.

• Expats and returning residents planning to bring self‑use vehicles that may be older than the threshold and intended for registration in Georgia.

West Coast Shipping already supports customers navigating vehicle condition and eligibility for Georgia car shipping and can help importers structure shipments in line with whatever registration rules are in force at the time of export.

Reported Exemptions and Transitional Provisions

MEPA’s clarifications and several explanatory articles discuss multiple exemptions or carve‑outs, though the precise legal effect depends on the final, published regulations. At a high level, official communications currently indicate the following:

Electric Vehicles

MEPA has publicly stated that the proposed age restriction would not apply to electric vehicles, regardless of their year of manufacture. This suggests that EVs may continue to enter and be registered without the six‑year cap, but importers should still confirm any separate technical or taxation requirements that apply specifically to EVs.

Already Registered or Previously Imported Vehicles

Information released by MEPA explains that the restriction is not intended to retroactively apply to vehicles already registered in Georgia, or to vehicles imported before the effective date of the new rules. That distinction is important for residents who already own older cars with Georgian plates.

Vehicles in Transit or Shipped Before the Effective Date

Official clarifications also state that an exception is expected for certain vehicles whose transportation to Georgia commenced before the effective date, or that had already entered the Georgian customs territory. Some communications mention that documentation such as transport contracts or carrier documents may be used to demonstrate that transport began before the cutoff, but the exact evidentiary standards are for Georgian customs to determine.

Because this transitional language is nuanced and may change, exporters should not rely solely on generalized summaries. Instead, they should ask a local customs broker in Georgia what documents customs currently expects as proof that a vehicle qualifies for any transition exemption.

Re‑Export, Transit, and Non‑Registered Uses

MEPA’s online guidance notes that the restriction is focused on initial and temporary registration and may not apply to vehicles that enter Georgia but are not registered there—for example, units destined for re‑export or transit. As long as such vehicles are not registered with Georgian plates, Georgia may continue to function as a logistics hub, though operators should verify processing rules with their logistics partners.

Relationship to Existing Euro 5 Emission Requirements

Separate from the age issue, Georgia has already moved toward stricter emission standards. MEPA has previously communicated that Euro 5/V emission standards form part of the regulatory framework for newly imported vehicles. Commentary from local media and experts often describes the proposed six‑year limit as building on these earlier environmental steps rather than replacing them.

For importers, this generally means that—even if a vehicle is within whatever age window is finally adopted—it may still need to meet applicable emission standards and pass technical inspections before it can be registered. West Coast Shipping’s classic car import guide for Georgia and similar resources emphasize this long‑standing distinction between customs entry and successful local registration.

How International Shippers Can Approach 2026 Planning

Given that regulatory texts can be updated, interpreted differently, or phased in over time, it is prudent to treat current information as indicative rather than final. Rather than assuming any single scenario, shippers may want to:

• Monitor official MEPA announcements and other Georgian government publications for updates and clarifications.

• Work closely with a Georgian customs broker who can interpret how the rules are being applied in real‑world clearances.

• Differentiate between import for registration and import for re‑export, especially when dealing with older or specialty vehicles.

• Avoid speculative purchasing or shipping decisions that depend on a specific interpretation of untested rules without first confirming with authorities.

For context on how general eligibility, titles, and vehicle condition are handled today, WCS already maintains resources on shipping cars from the USA to Georgia via the Port of Poti and Georgia car import taxes and duties.

Editorial and Regulatory Disclaimer

This article summarizes publicly available information and commentary about potential changes to Georgia’s vehicle import and registration framework as of early 2026. It is not a substitute for official Georgian legal texts, customs rulings, or personalized professional advice. Regulations can be amended, interpreted differently in practice, or implemented on a different timeline than originally announced. Before buying, exporting, or shipping any vehicle to Georgia—especially an older M1 passenger vehicle—readers should verify current requirements directly with Georgian customs, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or a qualified local adviser.

Plan Your Georgia Shipments With Professional Support

If these reported regulatory changes proceed as described, advance planning will become even more important for anyone shipping vehicles to Georgia. West Coast Shipping can help you structure shipments, choose appropriate vehicles, and coordinate documentation in line with whatever rules are in force at the time of export, whether you are moving a single car or filling a wholesale shipment to Georgia.

Use the dedicated Georgia shipping page on wcshipping.com to get an instant rate, review routing options to Poti, and connect with a team that follows regulatory developments closely so you can ship with greater confidence—even as rules evolve.