Iraq Customs Guide: Importing and Exporting Personal Effects

This guide compiles Iraq customs regulations for importing and exporting household goods and personal effects. It applies to shipments by sea or air, and is compiled by Seapoe team from the latest FIDI and IAM guides. For reference only - please confirm details with your Seapoe consultant before shipping.

Import Guide (FIDI)Import Guide (IAM)

Importing Personal Effects into Iraq: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2026-09-19 · Source updated 2024 · Download the Iraq Import Guide (PDF)

Removal goods

Documents Required
  • 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).
Customs Prescriptions
  • 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.
Remarks
  • 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

Customs Prescriptions

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.
Remarks
  • 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

Customs Prescriptions

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.
Remarks
  • 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.