Exporting goods from the Urmia border to Turkey and then Europe is one of the most used trade routes of Iran. But many traders, especially on the first shipments, face a lack of documents or errors in them and stop at the border. In this article we examine the complete checklist of the documents needed to export from the Urmia border step by step.
Why are export documents important?
Export documents are not just an administrative formality; they guarantee the quick passage of the goods through the border, the correct calculation of the duties and the prevention of a shipment being turned back. A complete document package reduces the clearance time from days to hours.
The checklist of basic documents
Before anything else, prepare these basic documents:
- Business card and an exploitation permit, with the operating license
- The economic code and the customs code of the exporter
- The Proforma Invoice issued by the buyer or the seller
- The Packing List with the exact mention of the number, weight and dimensions of the packages
- The Commercial Invoice consistent with the proforma
Note: to declare the goods in the invoices and documents, having the exact tariff code (HS Code) of the goods is essential; without it, the customs valuation for calculating the duties is not possible.
Documents related to the goods
Depending on the type of goods, the following documents may also be needed:
- Certificate of Origin
- Health certificate for food and cosmetics
- Standard permit for goods subject to mandatory standards
- Quarantine certificate for agricultural and livestock products
- Technical documents and catalogues for machinery
Most of these cases relate to standard and health permits; before the shipment moves, check the list of your goods’ permits from the tariff code.
Transport documents
The final part of the checklist deals with transport documents:
- CMR (the international road waybill) for land freight
- The vehicle rental contract if needed
- The truck movement permit and a valid insurance policy
- The exit declaration (the new system) registered in the system before reaching the border
See the step-by-step guide to filling this same declaration in the article how to fill the customs declaration without errors.
Important note: register the declaration before the border
In Iran’s customs system, the registration of the exit declaration must be done before the truck moves toward the border. A delay in registering the declaration is the most common reason for stoppages at the Urmia border, and every day of stoppage means warehousing and demurrage costs. The Vira Farabar customs experts recommend submitting all the final documents at least 48 hours before reaching the border. If you are in doubt between the different borders, read the comparison of the Urmia customs and the Bazargan customs.
FAQ
Is the proforma mandatory for export?
Yes; the proforma is the basis for determining the tariff code and the initial value of the goods in the registration of the exit declaration and must be consistent with the final invoice.
Where do I get the certificate of origin?
From the chamber of commerce. This certificate is used for customs purposes and for using preferential regulations and must be prepared according to your goods before departure.
What happens if I do not complete the documents before the border?
The truck stops at the border and the warehousing and demurrage cost reduces the profit of your shipment.
Is the business card also needed for the first shipment?
Yes; a valid business card is a precondition for registering the exit declaration and passing the goods through the border even for the first shipment.
Summary
By having the business card, the invoice and the packing list, the CMR transport documents and the health and standard permits, you can avoid costly stoppages at the Urmia border. To review the complete documents of your shipment before it moves, contact our experts at Vira Farabar Logistics.
