Importing Personal Effects into Iraq: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2024 · Download the Iraq Import Guide (PDF)

Removal goods

• Passport (clear copy) including the page where Iraq (North) visa is stamped.
• Visa/Residence Permit (clear copies).
• Inventory in English (fully detailed and clear copies). Customs does not accept "PBO" entries.
• Letter authorizing Destination Agent to clear shipment.
• Original Bill of Lading/Airway Bill. In case of Express release Bill of Lading, copy of Bill of Lading is required.
• Client Iraq mobile number (for Bayan).
• Residence Card copy front and back.
• Duty Exemption Certificate issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (only for diplomatic shipment).

• Customer must hold a valid Iraq (North) visa - visa/residence permit is required for custom clearance.
• 100% inspection on all shipments.
• Shipper can arrange more than 1 shipment at any time.
• Personal effects are subject to be open for inspection by custom authorities.
• Normal customs clearance takes 6-7 working days for sea and 4-5 working days for air. Fridays and Saturdays Customs will remain closed.
• Customs and port authorities will allow 7 days of free storage for full container load shipments. It depends on the shipping line and 2 days for shipments arriving by air.

• All documents are to be submitted in Original format.
• The shipper has to get him/her registered at the customs; this can be done by him/her if in Iraq (North) or by their local agent who approaches DG Customs at Custom house and will act as the IOR/EOR.
• Shipper can add very small amount of dry foodstuff as long as the items are in original packing with their expiry date clearly visible on the pack, the expiry date should be 1 year beyond the date of arrival in Iraq (North).
• The approximate time frames for Customs clearance are as follows:
• Sea/full container loads (FCL): 6-7 business days;
• Air shipments: 2-3 business days.
• The approximate time frames for Customs clearance during Ramadan are as follows:
• Sea FCL: 8-9 business days;
• Air shipments: 5-6 working days.

Prohibited Items

• Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products:
• Liquors/ Wine/ Whisky is a strict NO.
• If found in shipment it can be imposed with heavy duties and penalties, customs will detain under refusal for release.
• Only Diplomatic shipments are allowed to add this under permission that the embassy handles directly with
• the Ministry and obtains letter from Ministry to Interior Liquor/Wine/Whisky.
• Pornographic literature, videos, films and pictures
• Including simple nudity of all kinds – nude pictures or paintings.
• Products of Israeli origin.
• Wireless and communication equipment, including walkie-talkie systems and remote cordless telephones, telescope.
• Political and religious literature
• Needs prior approval from the Ministry of Information.
• Drugs and narcotics.
• Medicine or prescriptions drugs are allowed in reasonable quantities but can be subject to analysis.
• Objects made of ivory or any endangered species.
• Political or religious literature or statues that might be deemed offensive to the Iraq (North)i government or the Islamic faith.
• Explosives, firearms, ammunition, knives, swords, daggers, spears, etc.
• Even toy guns and decorative items of this nature are subject to confiscation.
• Military uniforms and equipment.
• Are not allowed until proper approval received from Ministry of Interior.
• Perishable foodstuff.
• E-Cigarettes.
• Drones.

• Books, pictures, records, films, tapes, slides, movies, videos, compact discs, computer software’s, …, are subject to censorship and confiscation (must be packed separately for easy access), a process which can take up to 3 weeks.
• If found unsuitable (PORN), such items will be destroyed and the consignee is liable to pay a fine.
• All prohibited articles detained by customs may be destroyed without the consignee's consent.

Wood Packaging

• Wood packaging (ISPM 15) – fumigation requirements:
• Export of any commodity packed in wood with thickness exceeding 6 mm will not be allowed for Export and Import unless they are treated by heat or fumigated by methyl bromide gas and bears the official recognized stamp by the Ministry or the authorized private companies.
• This requirement also applies to the imported goods to the Sultanate packed in the same wooden material, which shall not be allowed to enter the Sultanate without being similarly treated and bear the recognized official stamp.
• Therefore, for all export shipments which are packed in wood with thickness exceeding 6 mm should be heat treated or fumigated and packages are stamped as above. The necessary heat treatment/fumigation certificate should be attached to the Customs Bill of Export before processing.

• Please ensure all wooden packing / crate / lift vans must be heat treated with clear visible ISPM marking.
• Non-compliance will result in fines and penalties.

Iraq Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Iraq Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

• Copy of passport
• Copy of bill of lading (OBL) or air waybill (AWB)
• Packing list
• Pro-forma invoice
• Authorization letter from the owner (required for shipments to Erbil)

Specific Information

Erbil shipments: An authorization letter from the owner is required for shipments destined for Erbil. Customs procedures in the Kurdistan Region may differ from those in Baghdad and southern Iraq.

Customs interpretation varies by city: This is a critical operational point. Customs regulations may be interpreted and enforced differently between cities. Contact the destination agent for the specific destination city before importing.

All goods subject to customs inspection.

ISPM 15: Wood packaging materials should comply with ISPM 15 standards.

Duties & Taxes

Duties and taxes: Returning Iraqi citizens must pay duties and taxes of approximately 8 to 10% of the declared customs value based on the pro-forma invoice. This applies to household goods; Iraq does not offer a general duty-free transfer-of-residence exemption for its own nationals.

Diplomatic exemption: Diplomats can receive a diplomatic exemption from duties and taxes if their country has an embassy in Iraq.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Weapons (without authorization) PERMIT REQUIRED
• Illegal drugs and narcotics
• Pornographic materials
• Tactical gear
• Products of taxidermy (stuffed animals)
• Israeli currency
• Nuclear material (except for legitimate industry or medical purposes)
• Meat and milk products (per VisaHQ)
• Artifacts of important religious or historical importance
• Antique carpets
• Magazines, films, and other material against the public interest
• Counterfeit goods

Personal duty-free allowances (per VisaHQ):

• 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco
• Up to 1 litre of wine or spirits
• 500 ml of perfume (in two small opened bottles)
• All local and foreign currency must be declared on arrival

Alcohol in household goods: Only diplomats may import alcohol. Non-diplomatic alcohol imports are restricted.

Tobacco in household goods: Only diplomats may import tobacco (limited to 1 carton ).

Other restricted items:

• Firearms and ammunition (authorization required) PERMIT REQUIRED
• Material used in the creation of explosives, including fertilizers (license from Ministry of Trade required) PERMIT REQUIRED
• Plants and plant products (permission from Ministry of Trade required)
• Fowl and poultry products from countries with bird flu outbreaks (permission required)
• Dogs, cats, and other pets (must be cleared by the veterinary department with proper documentation)

Special Categories

• Assuming pets can or cannot be imported to Erbil without confirming with the destination agent (conflicting information between sources)
• Not obtaining the Ministry of Agriculture import permit before travel
• Not administering parasite treatments before departure (required, not optional)

• Pets in Erbil: The IAM guide (2016) states "Pets cannot be imported to Erbil." PetTravel (2026) states "Erbil International Airport is the preferred port of entry for personally owned dogs and cats." This is a direct contradiction. The most likely explanation is that the restriction was lifted between 2016 and 2026, or that it applied to a specific category of import. This must be confirmed with the destination agent before any pet shipment is arranged.
• Rabies vaccination validity: PetTravel states "between 30 days and 11 months." Most other countries use a 12-month window. The 11-month figure may reflect an Iraqi-specific requirement or a conservative estimate. Confirm with the destination agent.
• Alcohol for travelers vs. shipments: VisaHQ lists 1 litre of wine or spirits as a personal duty-free allowance for travelers. The IAM guide restricts alcohol imports in household goods to diplomats only. These are consistent: the personal traveler allowance applies to accompanied luggage, not household goods shipments.

• The 8-10% duty rate (from the 2016 IAM guide) could not be verified against a current Iraqi government source because the customs website is unreliable. This rate should be confirmed with the destination agent.
• The 2-year vehicle age limit for non-armored vehicles (from the 2016 IAM guide) could not be independently verified and may have changed.
• Whether the Erbil pet import restriction has been formally lifted could not be confirmed through official sources.
• The VisaHQ note about mandatory AIDS testing for all travelers entering Iraq could not be independently verified and may reflect outdated information. Confirm with the Iraqi embassy.

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air and sea shipments.

Regional differences: Iraq effectively operates two customs regimes: federal Iraq (Baghdad and southern/central governorates) and the Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok). Procedures, enforcement intensity, and documentation requirements may differ between these areas. The destination agent must be consulted for the specific destination city.

Pro-forma invoice: Required for all shipments. The declared customs value on the pro-forma invoice is the basis for duty and tax calculations (8-10%).

Security considerations: Iraq's security environment affects logistics, delivery timelines, and costs. Armed escorts may be required for certain routes. The destination agent should advise on current security requirements for the specific delivery location.

Ports of entry: Sea cargo typically arrives at Umm Qasr port (near Basra). Air cargo clears through Baghdad International Airport or Erbil International Airport. Land shipments may enter through border crossings with Jordan, Turkey, or Kuwait depending on the destination.

Alcohol and tobacco: Non-diplomatic shipments must not contain alcohol or tobacco.