What are the Applicable Laws and Regulations in Export and Import in Iran?

Introduction

According to a recent report by the Statistical Center of Iran, the country’s industrial exports’ value saw a 10.66% decline in the second quarter of the current Iranian year (started March 21) compared with last year’s Q2.

Exports’ volume had a 1.29% rise compared to Q1 though. The value of imports in the industrial sector went up in comparison with last year’s Q2 and this year’s Q1 by 49.53% and 0.58% respectively.

On the other hand, the latest data released by Iran Customs Administration and Trade Promotion Organization shows that Iran exported 129.648 million tons of non-oil goods with a total value of $43.93 billion during the last Iranian fiscal year (ended March 20), registering 3.58% growth in total value of exports year-on-year.

What are the Applicable Laws and Regulations in Export and Import in Iran?

The main Laws and Regulations related to Export and Import in Iran are as follows:

• The Export-Import Regulations Act
• The Executive Regulation of Export-Import Regulations Act
• The Law on Regulating Border Trade
• The Executive Regulation of Law on Regulating Border Trade
• The Customs Affairs Act
• The Executive Regulation of Law on Customs Affairs Act
• Tariffs of Export and Import (issued each year).

It should also be note that products imported to Iran are categorized under 3 classifications:

1. Permissible goods that do not need a license
2. Conditional goods that can be imported only with a license
3. Prohibited goods that are strictly banned under the Islamic Sharia or by general law

Which Licenses/Permits are Needed to Export or Import Products or Machineries?

Below permits/licenses required for Export and import in Iran:

• Business Card
• “Goods Declaration permit which must be taken from Iran Customs Administration”.
• “Hygiene Permits, Standard Permits, Quarantine Permit, Order Registration Permit (Iran Export-Import Regulations Act, Article 8)”, Etc. Any of these permits may be required based on the goods that are going to be imported or exported.
• Temporary Import License, Temporary Export License, Peremptory Import License, Peremptory Export License Etc. They all show that exporting or importing is permitted.

What is the Procedure of Importing a Product into Iran?

The procedure of importing can be summarized to these steps:

1. Order registration in the Iran Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade and getting the Order Registration Permit Number and getting the other required Permits if needed (depends on the type of goods). You can find more information at https://www.ntsw.ir
2. Declaration of the goods in the Iran Customs Administration
3. Going through Identity ascertain step in the Iran Customs Administration office to find out the assessment route. The route could be Red, Yellow, Green or Blue:

• The Blue Route hasn’t been applied yet.
• The Green Route is used to show that only getting assessment code and signing by the Customs Office expert are needed.
• The Yellow Route shows that beside what are needed in the green route, value examination, document review and some official inquiries are needed to be done.
• Finally, the Red Route is used to show beside what are needed in Yellow Route, physical examination and vibration check must be done.

1. Paying the required tariff amount and getting the Customs import License.
2. Releasing the goods by getting the Release Permit.

What is the Procedure of Exporting a Product from Iran?

The procedure of exporting can be summarized to these steps:

•  Order registration in the Iran Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade and getting the Order Registration Permit Number and getting the other required Permits if needed (depends on the type of goods).Please go to https://www.ntsw.ir for Order Registration.
•  Declaration of the goods in the Iran Customs Administration
•  The assessment and revision process which include physical examination and documents review
•  Paying the required amount (if needed) and getting the Customs Export License.
•  Getting the Loading Permit
•  Getting the Bill of Lading and getting the back of License sealed “releasing verification seal”.

What is the Procedure of Obtaining a “Business Card” Required for Export-Import Business?

• In order to obtain a “Business Card”, following steps must be taken:
•  Going to http://cscs.chambertrust.ir
•  Signing up for a new account
•  Preparing required documents such as Birth certificate, Identity Card, Certificate of Clean Record (for the last three months) for individuals and companies registration documents and CEO Certificate of Clean Record for corporations.
•  Filling out the forms
•  Passing some courses (If needed) and getting the Business Card.
• In Practice, it usually takes 15-30 days to obtain a Business Card.
• Iran’s Top Cargo Airports
•  Mehrabad International Airport
•  Mashhad International Airport
•  Imam Khomeini International Airport
•  Shiraz International Airport
•  Kish International Airport
•  Ahwaz International Airport
•  Isfahan International Airport
•  Tabriz International Airport
•  Bandar Abbas International Airport
•  Kerman Airport

Iran’s Top Container Ports?

The major container port in Iran are Shahid Rajaee. Imam Khomeini Port, Kharg Port, Bushehr Port and Bandar Anzali Port. You may visit this website for more information:

https://www.searates.com/maritime/iran.html

It should be noted that Most of Iran’s traded goods are transported by the sea.