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