Poti FIZ: the key logistics asset for Georgia

Poti Free Industrial Zone is the largest and oldest free zone in Georgia. More than 300 companies are registered here and the total area is over 3 million square meters. The zone is located next to the Poti cargo port and is situated on the historic “Silk Road”, which provides a connection to the European Union, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East.

Main advantages

Zero rate of corporate income tax (CIT), value added tax (VAT), import/export duties, property and dividend tax.
Fixed tax of 4 % on sales in mainland Georgia.
Direct access to a deep‐water terminal, which saves up to 15⁠–⁠20 % on sea transportation.
Ready‐made plug‐and‐play warehouses from 500 to 5,000 m² and heavy industry sites up to 20,000 m².

⚡️ Poti FIZ is also an excellent base for re‐exports to Europe thanks to the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) agreement in force.

Tax privileges of Poti FIZ

Tax	Tax rate in Georgia	Tax rate in Poti FIZ
Corporate tax	15 % (in the distribution)	0 %
Vat	18 %	0 %
Import duty	0 / 5 / 12 %	0 %
Tax on dividends	5 %	0 %
Property tax	до 1 %	0 %

When goods or services are sold on the territory of Georgia, a fixed 4 % tax on the proceeds is applied.

Stages of company registration in Poti FIZ

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

Cost includes: FIZ license; notary services and translations.

Infrastructure and transportation

Port of Poti (400 m) – 15 container lines, depth up to 12 m, throughput capacity of 10 million tons per year.
Railroad branch line in the zone will provide direct communication with Azerbaijan and Armenia.
E60 highway to Tbilisi – 260 km (4 hours on the road).
Kutaisi International Airport – 90 km (for re‐export of air cargo).

Industries that benefit from Poti FIZ

Import and re‐export of household appliances: zero duty and fast clearance at the port.
Light manufacturing and assembly: build‐to‐suit site, low energy costs.
Food industry (bottling, packaging, cold storage): customs dry port and certified free‐zones.
E‐commerce fulfillment: delivery to EU and Turkey within 3⁠–⁠5 days; 0 % VAT within the zone.

Case study

A trading company imports household chemicals from China (CIF Poti – 850,000 USD). At FIZ Poti, the goods are redistributed and shipped to Ukraine, Turkey and Romania.

Saved:

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

The total savings is approximately 220,000 USD.

Frequently asked questions about FIZ Poti

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

Conclusion

The Poti FIZ offers maximum tax benefits and direct access to the seaport, reducing logistics costs by 20⁠–⁠30 %. If your business is related to re‐exporting, packaging or light manufacturing, FIZ Poti offers significant competitive advantages in terms of cost and speed of entry into EU, Middle East and Central Asian markets.

Open a business in Poti FIZ in 5 days

Ready to take advantage of the maritime hub? Leave a request – we will calculate the savings, coordinate the warehouse and register your company in Poti FIZ on a turnkey basis.