Iran

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Original passport
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
• Packing list
• Original work permit
• Work visa (foreigners)
• Resident permit (foreigners with a work visa)
• Exemption letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (foreign diplomats)

 

Specific Information

• All goods must be used and within a reasonable quantity for duty-free import.
• New items are subject to duties and commercial taxes and potential re-exportation, as determined by Customs authorities.
• Foreign diplomats may import and re-export household goods and personal effects free of duties.
• Foreign diplomats are not required to be present for Customs clearance.
• Diplomatic goods must be carried in bond to Tehran West Customs for final Customs clearance (diplomats).
• The embassy in Tehran will obtain the exemption papers after the physical arrival of the shipment to Tehran West Customs (diplomats).
• Owners of the goods entering Iran for employment who hold a valid work permit and a resident permit are entitled to import used household goods duty free.
• Foreigners entering with a work visa must be present for Customs clearance.
• Foreigners entering with a work visa may enter using one of the following two document options:
  • Presence at Customs + original passport + original work permit
  • Notarized power of attorney + original passport + original work permit
• Surface shipments must arrive to an Iranian port with 4 months after the owner of the goods’ arrival.
• Air shipments must arrive to an Iranian airport within 3 months after the owner of the goods’ arrival.
• A person or family who has resided abroad for a period of 12 months (the last 6 consecutive months) can import a reasonable amount of used household and personal effects duty free (returning citizens).
• The owner of the goods must be present at Customs clearance (returning citizens).
• For Customs clearance, returning citizens must present an Iranian passport, proof of residency abroad for a minimum of 12 months, 6 of which must be continuous without travel to Iran prior to entry.
• After entering Iran, the owner of the goods’ domicile in the passport should be changed to Iran (returning citizens).
• The shipment must arrive within 2 months after the owner of the goods’ arrival in Iran (returning citizens).
• Any importer must be registered in the Iranian web-based system for customs clearance. The importer must go to Iran customs, register, and get the username/password for doing customs clearances.

 

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Permit from the Ministry of Commerce
• OBL
• Vehicle title / registration
• Proof of insurance

 

Specific Information

• Only diplomats and embassy employees can import cars on a duty-free basis.
• The import of motor vehicles by non-diplomats requires special permit from the Ministry of Commerce; the owner must file the application directly.

 

Pets

Documents Required

• Vaccination record
• Veterinary health certificate

 

Specific Information

• Pets may enter as accompanied baggage or cargo.
• Birds, cats, and dogs must be accompanied by the veterinary health certificate issued by the Consulate in the origin country.
• Contact agent for specific information regarding the importation of animals.

 

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Cigarettes (a reasonable quantity)
• Perfume for personal use (a reasonable quantity)
• Gifts of which import duties and taxes do not exceed approximately USD 80.

 

Prohibited Items

• Firearms and ammunition
• Alcoholic beverages, including wine and beer
• Pork
• Narcotics
• Pornographic materials (magazines, films, videocassettes, DVDs, etc.)

 

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.