Iran Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

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

Documents

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

• Original passport
• Original bill of lading (OBL) or air waybill (AWB)
• Packing list
• Original work permit
• Work visa
• Resident permit

• Iranian passport
• Proof of residency abroad for a minimum of 12 months (last 6 months must be continuous without travel to Iran)
• Original bill of lading (OBL) or air waybill (AWB)
• Packing list

• Original passport
• Original bill of lading (OBL) or air waybill (AWB)
• Packing list
• Exemption letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (obtained in Tehran after physical arrival of shipment)

Specific Information

Diplomatic shipments: Imported and re-exported free of duties. Diplomats are not required to be present for customs clearance. Diplomatic goods must be carried in bond to Tehran West Customs for final clearance. The embassy in Tehran obtains the exemption papers after the physical arrival of the shipment.

Owner presence at customs: Required for both foreigners with work visas and returning Iranian citizens. Foreigners may use one of two options: (1) personal presence at customs with original passport and original work permit, or (2) a notarized power of attorney with original passport and original work permit.

Shipment timing (sea/surface): Must arrive at an Iranian port within 4 months after the owner's arrival.

Shipment timing (air): Must arrive at an Iranian airport within 3 months after the owner's arrival.

Shipment timing (returning citizens): Must arrive within 2 months after the owner's arrival in Iran.

Customs registration: Any importer must be registered in the Iranian web-based customs clearance system. The importer must go to Iran customs in person, register, and obtain a username/password for completing customs clearance.

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

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions (foreign citizens with work permit): Used household goods may be imported duty-free by foreigners entering Iran for employment who hold a valid work permit and resident permit. All goods must be used and in reasonable quantities.

Duty-free conditions (returning Iranian citizens): A person or family who has resided abroad for at least 12 months (the last 6 of which must be consecutive, without travel to Iran) may import a reasonable amount of used household and personal effects duty-free. The owner must be present at customs clearance. After entering Iran, the owner's domicile in the passport must be changed to Iran.

New items: Subject to duties and commercial taxes, and potentially required to be re-exported, as determined by customs authorities.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Alcoholic beverages of any kind (including wine and beer) -- this is strictly enforced under Iranian law
• Pork and pork products
• Narcotics and illegal drugs
• Firearms, explosives, and ammunition (without permit)
• Pornographic materials (magazines, films, videocassettes, DVDs, etc.)
• Materials judged to be against the country's interests and national dignity (books, writings, magazines, photos, films)
• Knives and deadly weapons
• Fruit and vegetables (per VisaHQ)
• Plants and plant products (per VisaHQ)
• Soil
• Counterfeit goods
• Gambling equipment

Personal duty-free allowances (per VisaHQ):

• A reasonable amount of cigarettes and tobacco products
• A reasonable amount of perfume for personal use
• Legal gifts with a total import duty value not exceeding approximately USD 80

Other restricted items:

• New items within household goods shipments (subject to duties and commercial taxes)
• Firearms and ammunition PERMIT REQUIRED
• Chinese medicines and printings (per VisaHQ)
• Short wave radios (per VisaHQ)
• Gambling tools (per VisaHQ)
• Film, pre-recorded media, and publications may be subject to censorship screening

Special Categories

• Not obtaining authorization from an Iranian veterinary organization before entry
• Not having the health certificate certified by the Iranian consulate at origin
• Attempting to ship a pet as air cargo (may not be permitted)
• Not planning for CDC re-entry requirements when returning a dog to the U.S.

• Pet consulate certification: The IAM guide (2017) states the health certificate must be "issued by the Consulate in the origin country." PetTravel (2026) states the certificate must be endorsed by the government veterinary authority and that an "authorization from an Iranian veterinary organization is required before entering the country." Both requirements may apply simultaneously: the health certificate issued/endorsed by the origin country's veterinary authority, plus a separate authorization from an Iranian veterinary body. Confirm the exact procedure with the destination agent.
• Air cargo for pets: PetTravel notes "it has been reported to us that pets may not enter Iran as air cargo." The IAM guide states "pets may enter as accompanied baggage or cargo." This discrepancy may reflect a policy change since 2017. Confirm with the airline and Iranian consulate.

• All specific duty rates, fees, and regulatory details could not be verified against Iranian government sources because all government websites are unreachable. The IAM guide (2017) remains the most detailed source available, supplemented by VisaHQ and PetTravel.
• The customs web-based registration system requirement (from the 2017 IAM guide) could not be confirmed as current. The system and process may have changed.
• Whether the 2-month shipment deadline for returning citizens (vs. 3-4 months for foreigners) is still in effect could not be independently verified.
• The practical impact of international sanctions on shipping routes, carriers willing to service Iran, and financial transaction processing is not covered in this guide but is the primary operational challenge for any move to Iran. The destination agent should be consulted on current feasibility.

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.

Sanctions compliance: Before arranging any shipment, verify that all parties (shipper, carrier, insurance provider, freight forwarder, destination agent) are able to legally handle the transaction under applicable sanctions regimes. This is the most significant operational consideration for moves to Iran.

Alcohol -- zero tolerance: Do not include any alcohol in any shipment to Iran. This includes wine, beer, and spirits. Alcohol is strictly prohibited under Iranian law and its presence in a shipment can cause the entire shipment to be seized and the owner to face legal consequences.

Customs registration: The importer must personally register in the Iranian web-based customs system. This cannot be done remotely and must be completed before customs clearance can proceed.

Port of entry: Tehran West Customs is the primary clearance point for diplomatic shipments. Sea cargo arrives at Bandar Abbas (the main commercial port) or other Iranian ports. Air cargo clears through Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport.

Shipment timing varies by status: Foreign workers: 4 months (sea) / 3 months (air). Returning Iranians: 2 months. Missing these deadlines may result in loss of duty-free treatment.

Content restrictions: Iranian customs may inspect and confiscate any materials (books, media, publications, images) considered inconsistent with Islamic values or the country's national interests. Err on the side of caution with all media content.