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.