Selling goods to Iran is a great opportunity for the Turkish exporter, but it is full of details. Differences in customs procedures, language, currency and transport rules all affect the speed and profit of your export. In this article we explain the route of exporting from Turkey to Iran step by step and in a practical way, from choosing the border to delivering the goods to the Iranian buyer.
Why is Iran a noteworthy destination for the Turkish exporter?
The geographical closeness of the two countries, Iran’s large market and the active land transport network have made export to Iran an economical choice. The most important advantages:
- Low transport cost: the short land route compared with sea or air export
- Short transit time: faster delivery to the customer
- High demand for Turkish goods: food, home appliances, clothing, construction materials and machinery
Of course, on the other hand, take care with the shared routes and the tariff code for import from Turkey; reviewing the comprehensive guide to importing from Turkey helps you have a fuller picture of the other side of the transaction.
Important note for the Turkish seller: before anything else, make sure your goods are permitted to enter Iran in terms of their HS tariff code. Some goods are subject to restrictions or require a permit.
Choosing the entry border and the transport method
The two main land routes from Turkey to Iran pass through the Bazargan and Urmia customs. See the exact comparison of the two in Urmia customs or Bazargan customs?.
| Criterion | Bazargan border | Urmia border |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and infrastructure | suitable for heavy and bulky goods | suitable for medium consignments |
| Work load | high and permanent | usually lower |
| Speed of movement | depends on the queue | usually faster |
| Suitable for | machinery and bulky goods | light and medium consignments |
The common transport method is truck, carried out as full-truckload (FTL) or less-than-truckload (LTL). To estimate the cost, see the example of the freight cost from Istanbul to Urmia.
The required export documents
The Turkish seller must prepare these documents completely:
- Commercial Invoice — with the full details of the Iranian buyer
- Packing List — with the exact weight, dimensions and number of the packages
- CMR (international road waybill) — your document for truck transport
- Certificate of origin — to use the facilitating regulations where applicable
- Health and standard permits — depending on the type of goods (details in the guide to standard and health permits)
- Cargo insurance documents — covering the risk along the route (details in the cargo insurance guide)
Note: the exact matching of the invoice, the packing list and the CMR is one of the most common reasons for being held at customs. Any inconsistency pulls the goods into customs inspection and increases the time.
The declaration and the customs procedure on the Iran side
When entering Iran, the entry declaration is registered by the buyer’s representative or a clearance broker. The Turkish seller should know that:
- The basis of the duties at Iran customs is the CIF customs value, not simply the invoice price.
- The chosen Incoterms condition determines who is responsible for the transport and the clearance. Write the delivery condition clearly in the contract.
- If you have agreed with the buyer on the responsibility for the declaration, state it in the contract so there is no confusion over the entry and exit declaration.
Coordinating with the buyer and forecasting the costs
Several actions make your export complete without any surprises:
- Set the insured value correctly: a CIF value plus the profit margin gives fuller coverage.
- Standard packaging: proper packaging not only protects the goods but also reduces the risk at customs (the export packaging guide).
- Full pricing: make the total landed cost transparent with the customer.
Quick summary: success in exporting to Iran comes down to four points: an allowed tariff code, unified documents (invoice, packing list and CMR), a clear delivery condition and a logistics partner on the Iran side for the clearance and the delivery.
FAQ
Which border is faster for exporting to Iran?
For medium consignments the Urmia customs is usually faster; for heavy goods, the infrastructure of Bazargan is more suitable. The details are in the comparison of the two borders.
Do I need an export permit to export to Iran?
As a Turkish seller you do not obtain Iran’s export permit; but some goods need an import and standard permit on the Iran side, which the buyer must arrange.
Is the responsibility for the declaration and clearance with the seller or the buyer?
It depends on the delivery condition of the contract (Incoterms). In DAP and DDP it is on the seller, and in EXW most of the responsibility is with the buyer.
How do I find out the transport cost?
Before departure ask your forwarder for a clear waybill with no hidden costs and use the freight cost from Istanbul to Urmia as a reference.
Summary
A successful export to Iran starts with the right choice of route and documents. With an accurate tariff code, coordinated documents, a clear delivery condition and a professional logistics partner on both sides of the border, your goods reaches the buyer on time and without being held. The Vira Farabar Logistics team, on the Iran side, manages the clearance and the delivery coordination for you; take a look at Vira Farabar Logistics services.
