Azerbaijan IMEI Phone Registration: Rules, Fees and Deadline

Azerbaijan keeps a list of every mobile phone allowed on its networks. Each phone is known by its IMEI, a 15 digit number built into the device. A phone that is not registered sits on the black list, and the mobile operators (Azercell, Bakcell and Nar) are not allowed to serve it. The rules say the operator must make any service impossible within 24 hours.

Every phone brought into the country for personal use must be registered within 30 days at the latest. The rules do not say exactly when the 30 days start. The Ministry said in 2018 that they count from the day the phone first connects to the network, so the safe plan is to register in your first week.

There is one big exception. The rules do not apply to subscribers of foreign operators in international roaming. If you only use your home SIM in roaming, nothing changes. The problem starts the day you put a local SIM card into the phone.

Yes. Phones and other wireless devices brought from abroad, also by post, must be declared in writing, whatever their value. The green channel at the airport is for oral declarations only, so a phone goes through the red channel, or through an electronic declaration on e.customs.gov.az, the Smart Customs app or a customs kiosk.

This step matters more than it looks. Since 15 February 2023 a phone can be registered online only if it is already in the customs registration system. A phone that was never declared has to go through customs first, which usually means a visit to a customs office.

Personal goods are free of customs payments up to USD 800 in total, once a month, and at most 2 goods of the same kind. The once a month limit does not apply to accompanied air baggage. Above the limit, duty is due on the excess. We found no official duty rate for phones, so ask customs if you bring an expensive phone or more than two.

Not declaring goods at the border can lead to confiscation or a fine of 40 to 60 percent of their value (Code of Administrative Offences, Article 482.1). A wrong declaration costs 30 to 60 percent (482.2). This is a customs fine, separate from the registration fee.

1. 1

   Find your IMEI

   Dial *#06# on the phone. The IMEI appears on the screen. A dual SIM phone shows two numbers, but the fee is charged only once.

2. 2

   Declare the phone on arrival

   Use the red channel or an electronic customs declaration (column 2.12 is for phones). Keep the declaration.

3. 3

   Choose where to register

   Bakcell says you can register at Heydar Aliyev International Airport on arrival. You can also register online on my.gov.az (imei.az now sends all services there), or in person at the registration centre, an operator's customer service office or a post office.

4. 4

   Give your details

   In person, show your original passport, give the brand, model and IMEI, and fill in the form. The office enters it electronically at once.

5. 5

   Pay the state fee

   The amount depends on the model (see the table below).

6. 6

   Wait for the SMS

   The request is checked within 2 working days. The IMEI then goes on the white list and you get an SMS.

The fee is a state duty (Law on State Duty, Article 33 5). It follows the market price of a new phone of the same brand and model as published by the authority, not the price you paid or the age of the phone.

Some older operator pages still show a fee of AZN 5. The current law gives AZN 15 to 100. Check the amount on my.gov.az before you pay.

• Dial *#06# to read the IMEI.
• Enter the IMEI on the official registry check to see if it is on the white list or the black list. The service has moved from imei.az to my.gov.az.
• The rules also allow a status check by SMS to a short number. Check the current number on the official site, since older notices give different numbers.
• Bakcell's information line answers on 157 from a landline or 012157 from a mobile, every day from 09:00 to 21:00.

A blocked phone goes back on the white list once you complete the normal registration. If the phone was declared at customs, you can usually do this online or at an operator office. If it was never declared, expect to visit customs first, because online registration needs the phone in the customs system, and customs may apply the fine for an undeclared item.

Do not try to change or copy an IMEI to avoid registration. That is a separate offence with a fine of AZN 300 to 400, and AZN 600 to 800 if repeated within a year (Article 368 1).

• Temporary residents with a local operator contract can have a phone bought abroad put on an adapted white list. It is then tied to that local number and works only with it. Ask your operator how it is set up.
• A registered phone needs no new registration when it changes owner.
• A lost or stolen phone can be blocked by the registration centre. As a foreigner you show your passport. Bakcell blocks it within 24 hours free of charge with a police reference.
• Staying long term? Register your address too, and keep your other dates in one place: see how to never miss a deadline. Sroky's Guide has the phone steps and reminds you of your residence dates.