Why is the Poti FIZ a key logistics asset for Georgia?

Poti Free Industrial Zone is the oldest and largest free zone in Georgia, covering over 3 million square meters and containing over 300 registered companies. It is strategically located right by the cargo port of Poti and on the historic “Silk Road”, which connects the European Union, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East.

Main advantages

Total absence of taxes on income, VAT, customs duties, property tax and dividends.
Established rate of 4 % on products sold in mainland Georgia.
Direct access to a deep‐water terminal, which saves from 15 to 20% on sea freight.
Ready‐made plug‐and‐play warehouses from 500 to 5000 m² and heavy industry sites up to 20,000 m².

⚡️ Poti FIZ is an optimal point for re‐export to EU countries due to the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) in force.

Tax benefits in Poti FIZ

Tax	Tax rate in Georgia	In Poti FIZ
Corporate income tax	15 % (in the distribution)	0 %
Value added tax	18 %	0 %
Customs duties	0 / 5 / 12 %	0 %
Tax on dividends	5 %	0 %
Property tax	up to 1 %	0 %

There is a fixed tax of 4 % of the proceeds on the sale of goods and services on the territory of Georgia.

Step‐by‐step company registration in Poti FIZ

Online reservation of title (Poti FIZ platform).
Signing of the leasing agreement with the zone administration (electronic signature is allowed).
Submission of articles of association and passports of the founders → registration in the FIZ registry (3⁠–⁠5 working days) Invest In Samegrelo.
Opening a bank account at a branch of Bank of Georgia Poti or TBC Digital (1 day).
Obtaining FIZ Enterprise certificate and customs code.

Cost: FIZ license; notary services + translations.

Infrastructure and logistics

Port of Poti is located 400 m from the zone, offers 15 container lines, depth up to 12 m and throughput capacity of 10 million tons per year.
A railroad branch line located within the zone provides direct connections to Azerbaijan and Armenia.
E60 highway to Tbilisi – 260 km (4 hours travel time).
Kutaisi International Airport – 90 km (for re‐export of air cargo).

Sectors benefiting from Poti FIZ

Import and re‐export of household appliances: zero duty rate and fast clearance at the port.
Light manufacturing and assembly: build‐to‐suit sites, affordable electricity.
Food processing: bottling, packing and cold storage; customs dry port and certified free‐zones.
E‐commerce fulfillment: delivery to EU and Turkey in 3⁠–⁠5 days; 0 % VAT on goods within the zone.

Case study

A trading company imports household chemicals from China with CIF Poti in the amount of 850,000 USD. At Poti FIZ the goods are sorted and shipped to Ukraine, Turkey and Romania.

Saved:

18 % OF VAT (153,000 USD).
5 % customs duty (42,500 USD).
5 % dividend tax (after repatriation of profits).

In the end, the total savings amounted to approximately 220,000 USD.

Frequently asked questions about Poti FIZ

Is it possible to open an office without a warehouse?: Yes, office blocks from 15 m² with 1 Gbps internet are available for rent.
Are there restrictions on activities?: Casino, tobacco and oil and gas are prohibited; other activities are allowed.
Is a local director required?: No, a foreign sole founder is sufficient. The director can be a non‐resident.
How long does it take to process the FIZ customs code?: Usually the process takes 1 working day after company registration.

Conclusion

Poti FIZ combines maximum tax benefits and fast access to the seaport, reducing logistics costs by 20⁠–⁠30 %. If your business needs re‐export, packaging or light manufacturing, Poti FIZ provides a competitive advantage in terms of cost and speed of entry to EU, Middle East and Central Asian markets.

Open a business in Poti FIZ in 5 days

Ready to take advantage of the maritime hub? Make an inquiry – we can help you calculate your savings, coordinate your warehouse and register your company in Poti FIZ on a turnkey basis.