Freight transport through Azerbaijan: routes and corridors

Before cargo reaches the destination warehouse it changes mode of transport and control point several times; each transfer is a separate document and a risk of delay.

Corridors crossing the country

East–West: the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian route, TITR) — from Kazakhstan across the Caspian to Georgia and Türkiye
North–South: from Russia towards Iran
Zangezur direction: the Horadiz–Aghband road is nearing completion, the railway is being built

Transit volumes along these corridors are published by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport.

The sea gateway: Alat and the Caspian crossing

The Baku International Sea Trade Port at Alat is expanding in phases, and a free zone regime applies there.

container, general cargo, Ro-Ro and ferry terminals
ferry lines link Alat with Turkmenbashi and Kuryk
customs control at the port is handled by the State Customs Committee

In practice delays arise not in the port but in matching wagon and ferry capacity and at the port-to-rail transfer.

Overland routes and border crossing points

After modernisation the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars line reached its design capacity and is open for traffic.

at Akhalkalaki the gauge changes: bogies are swapped and cargo is transferred
the customs authorities of the three countries work in a trilateral committee
sea outlets: Poti and Batumi, Astara on North–South, Yalama in the north
road crossings: Red Bridge, Astara, Bilasuvar, Sadarak, Khanoba
air cargo: the Baku Cargo Terminal; a new cargo airport is being built at Alat

Which document carries cargo from one mode to another

Each leg has its own transport document — CMR, CIM/SMGS consignment note, bill of lading, AWB — and logistics work along the route means tying those documents together.

the FIATA multimodal bill of lading (FBL), which links the whole chain
movement under a TIR carnet needs no separate transit declaration; the guarantor is the Azerbaijan Association of International Road Carriers

In transit a guarantee is provided, seals are affixed and customs escort may be applied. Choosing the mode of transport is a separate topic.

What shapes the choice of route

the number of transhipments and how busy each crossing point is: every transfer is a new handover
track gauge, ferry capacity and the terminal's suitability for the cargo
the point on the route at which permits and certificates are required

Send us the route plan and the type of cargo: we will clarify what each transfer requires and align the preparation of the declaration and release from the warehouse with it.