Moving to 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.

Cultural and Other Information