From 1 October 2025, a full-fledged electronic queuing system for trucks will be launched at Verkhny Lars, one of the busiest border crossings between Russia and Georgia. The corresponding order was signed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

Why it is important for Belarus

The Upper Lars border crossing is part of the international transport corridor ‘North-South’, which is used by cargo flows from India, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries to the EAEU countries, including Belarus. This direction is actively used by Belarusian logistics companies and exporters.

What is changing

Previously, a system was used at Verkhny Lars that only tracked the serial number of lorries in the queue, but did not allow controlling the time of border crossing. This led to congestion, especially in winter, when mountain roads are often blocked due to weather conditions.

The new system will allow carriers to:

• pre-book travel date and time in advance;
• reduce waiting time at the border;
• avoid downtime and delays in delivery schedules.

Additional infrastructure

A separate waiting area for lorries is planned to be built at the approach to the border crossing point. It will have a capacity for 45 vehicles and will provide a more organised approach to queuing.

Context

‘Verkhny Lars’ remains the only functioning road crossing between Russia and Georgia. It carries significant traffic not only between the two countries, but also to Turkey, Armenia and onwards to Iran. During peak periods, the queue to exit Russia can reach 4,000 or more trucks.

For logistics companies in Belarus, the transition to electronic queuing is an opportunity to plan routes more accurately, optimise work with customers, and reduce costs associated with downtime at the border.