Industry Insights
Armenia as a Transshipment Hub for Chinese and Russian Goods
The European Union has voiced increasing concerns about Armenia's emerging role in facilitating the circumvention of trade restrictions, particularly those targeting Russia and China.
Although Armenia has not been subjected to the same level of scrutiny as countries like Belarus, EU authorities remain watchful over the country’s growing function as a potential conduit for the indirect entry of sanctioned or restricted goods into the European market.
Although Armenia has not been subjected to the same level of scrutiny as countries like Belarus, EU authorities remain watchful over the country’s growing function as a potential conduit for the indirect entry of sanctioned or restricted goods into the European market.
Armenia is also increasingly acting as a transshipment hub for Chinese-origin goods subject to EU anti-dumping duties. For example, products such as aluminum wheels, ceramic tiles, and certain types of steel have reportedly entered the EU market via Armenia, potentially bypassing the tariffs imposed on direct Chinese imports. This pattern of re-routing through Armenia is part of a broader trend in global trade whereby intermediary countries are used to obscure the true origin of goods in order to exploit tariff loopholes.
In addition, certain Armenian exports—particularly in the aluminum and light manufacturing sectors—have been observed taking an indirect route to the EU by first entering the United States. These goods are then re-exported from the U.S. to the EU, possibly to avoid regulatory scrutiny or to benefit from more favorable trade terms. This logistical rerouting not only complicates traceability for EU customs but may also undermine the integrity of the EU's trade defense instruments.
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