According to the latest information received from our Moscow Trade Attaché, regarding the Kazbegi-Lars/Verhniy Lars Border Crossing between the Russian Federation (RF) and Georgia;
In the announcement dated 17.01.2026 on the official website of the North Caucasus Customs Regional Directorate responsible for the border crossing customs administration; it is stated that until a second warning on 17.01.2026, due to the worsening weather conditions in Georgia, the impossibility of ensuring the safe passage of vehicles on Georgian territory, and taking into account the recommendations of the Georgian border police; On the Vladikavkaz-Lars section, the passage of heavy vehicles (trucks/lorries) in the direction of exit from the Russian Federation is prohibited.
Based on this, the order of the Emergency Situations and Fire Safety Commission of the Government of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania dated 17.01.2026 and numbered 22-KChS is cited, and the Contact Information of the Regional Directorate of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) is given as follows: “Address: Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Vladikavkaz, ul.
Mezhdunarodnaya, 1, Postal Code: 362040, Reception and Press Service: 8 (8672) 70-00-01 (extension
0570), 70-75-78, 70-76-96, Helpline: 8 (8672) 25-84-32.” Information shared,
Further announcements on the same website stated that the gate was reopened on 20.01.2026 at 11:48,
closed again at 19:35 on the same day, and reopened on 21.01.2026 at 11:30 for two-way passage and all vehicle types,
Similar announcements are frequently made during the winter months as weather conditions worsen,
Current announcements on the subject can be found at https://sktu.customs.gov.ru/news and
On the other hand, it has been reported that there are currently no heavy vehicles waiting to enter the Russian Federation at the Kazbegi/Verhniy
Lars Border Crossing, which is the only border crossing point between Georgia and the Russian Federation, but there are over 500 trucks waiting at the border crossing on the way out of the Russian Federation, and this number is much higher with the vehicles waiting in line. It is stated that due to worsening weather conditions (snow, ice and avalanche risk), restrictions at the border crossing may be tightened and waiting times may be extended due to the increased vehicle density.
Finally, it is emphasized that our transporters should be prepared for the possible congestion that may occur at the aforementioned border crossing and should consider alternative routes if necessary, given that the current situation may become more critical.
