Country Guide: Iran

Updated: November 25, 2015

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).
  • Shippers 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’s arrival.
  • Air shipments must arrive to an Iranian airport within 3 months after the owner’s arrival.
  • A person or family who has resided abroad for a period of 1 year (the last 6 consecutive months) can import a reasonable amount of used household and personal effects duty free (returning citizens).
  • The shipper 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 1 year, 6 of which must be continuous without travel to Iran prior to entry.
  • After entering Iran, the shipper’s domicile in the Passport should be changed to Iran (returning citizens).
  • The shipment must arrive within 2 months after the shipper’s arrival in Iran (returning citizens).

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.

 

 

 

Helpful Website(s):

http://www.state.gov/p/nea/ci/ir/index.htm