Reaching the consumers

Marketing opportunities

Consumer behavior

The Azerbaijanis are big consumers of bread, the country being one of the highest consumers of bread in the world. The expenses of the consumers is concentrated on bread, fruits and vegetables. Meat and fish is rarely consumed. The younger and richer layer of the population is attracted by foreign products, especially American ones that are very popular.

Consumer profile and purchasing power

The Azerbaijani consumer has a limited purchasing power, with the average annual income per person being around 700 USD. Therefore purchases are restricted to the strictly necessary goods, except in the city of Baku, which prospers from the petroleum industry, where one finds a large number of expatriates and consumers with a much higher purchasing power. This section of the population is attracted by foreign products and makes its purchases in the few existing supermarkets, whereas the rest of the population makes its purchases in souks.

Consumers associations

There are no consumer associations.

Main advertising agencies

AAM Advertising
Media Consulta

Distributing a product

Market shares

There are no supermarket chains in Azerbaijan: one can buy in bazaars, in small shops or then in a few mini-markets (only in cities which have a majority of expatriates).

Organizations in the retail sector

ARAMARK.
National Confederation of Entrepreneurs

Market access procedures

Main International economic cooperation

Azerbaijan is a member of the main international organizations such as the World Bank. The Republic of Azerbaijan is also a member of the Asian Economic Cooperation Organization.

Non tariff barriers

Import of radioactive material, narcotics and psycho-pharmaceutic products is prohibited. Import of firearms, explosives and radioactive equipment meant for the petroleum industry requires the possession of a license.

The import of certain products, such as alcohol, tobacco, meat-based food products, etc. is limited by quotas or licenses for import.

The slowness and the corruption in the customs administration can also be a barrier at the time of import of products into Azerbaijan.

Customs duties and taxes on imports

15%

Customs classification

All the goods are classified according to the Republic of Azerbaijan's Customs Code. To consult this classification, visit the website of the Customs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Import procedures

Customs procedures are defined by the new law on customs and the new Customs Code of 1997. All goods entering the territory have to be declared and all are subjected to taxes, except in the case of bilateral agreements. Certain products require a license for them to be imported, others are subjected to very high taxes.

All the information is available on the website of the Customs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Importing samples

Samples have to be declared like all other goods.

For more information, visit the website of the Customs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

For further information

Customs office of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Organizing goods transport

Main useful means

The Baku airport is located 25 km from the capital and to get to the city center you can use a taxi (there is no bus or train). The public transport in general is crowded and in a bad state. The metro and bus network can be useful, but it is not advised to use it at night because of the strong occurrence of crime. It is preferable to take a taxi from a specialized company. Ask for help in the hotel where you are staying.
Trains leaving from Baku are not safe and it is strongly advised not to travel in them.

Ports

The airport of Baku
The civil aviation
The metro map of Baku

Airports

Airport of Baku

Sea transport organizations

Ministry of transport (under construction)
Website of the Republic of Azerbaijan: page devoted to the Ministry of Transport.

Air transport organizations

Ministry of Transport (under construction)
Website of the Republic of Azerbaijan: page devoted to the Ministry of Transport

Road transport organizations

Ministry of Transport (under construction)
Website of the Republic of Azerbaijan: page devoted to the Ministry of Transport

Rail transport organizations

Ministry of Transport (under construction)
Website of the Republic of Azerbaijan: page devoted to the Ministry of Transport
Azerb.com: Information on train companies and the Railway network in Azerbaijan

Identifying a supplier

Type of production

The Azerbaijani industry is dominated by the production of petrol. The city of Baku is the regional centre in the production of petrol. Approximately 30% of the active population works in the industrial sector: mining, extraction and petrol refining, aluminum, gas, etc. The light industry occupies an equally important place, amongst which being the food and textile industries.

Business directories

Yellow Pages

Manufacturers associations of the main industries

AZFEN: Oil industry specialists

Trade Agencies and their representations abroad

U.S. Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce