The customs documents are not enough; many goods are not allowed to cross the border without the standard and health permits. A goods that has complete shipping documents and an invoice but no permit is stopped at the customs and may even be returned. In this article you learn which goods need the permits and how to obtain the permit for your goods.
Which goods are subject to the permits?
The need for a permit is determined by the tariff code of the goods. In general, the following groups are usually subject:
- Food and beverages: a health certificate of the Ministry of Health is needed.
- Agricultural and livestock products: plant and animal quarantine certificates of the relevant organizations.
- Goods subject to the compulsory standard: a permit of the National Standards Organization is needed.
- Cosmetics and health-care products: a health certificate and the related approvals.
- Medicines and medical equipment: the special permits of the Food and Drug Administration.
Note: the starting point is always the tariff code (HS Code). You can find out from the tariff code whether your goods is in the list of the goods subject to the compulsory standard or in need of a health certificate.
Summary of the permits per goods
| Type of goods | Permit / certificate | Issuing authority |
|---|---|---|
| Food and beverages | a health certificate | the Ministry of Health |
| Agricultural products | a plant quarantine certificate | the Plant and Health Organization |
| Livestock products | a veterinary certificate | the veterinary organization |
| Goods subject to the compulsory standard | a standard permit | the National Standards Organization |
| Medicines and medical equipment | a special permit | the Food and Drug Administration |
| Cosmetics and health products | a health certificate | the Ministry of Health |
What is the compulsory standard?
The National Standards Organization of Iran has a list of the goods subject to the compulsory standard that cannot be imported or exported without the standard mark or the relevant permit. The general stages:
- Check the list of the subject goods based on the tariff code.
- Obtain the technical approval or the standard mark from the National Standards Organization.
- Present the certificate at the declaration together with the other documents.
What is a health and quarantine certificate?
For the food, the agricultural and the livestock goods, a health or quarantine certificate is issued to confirm the health and the safety of the product:
- Health certificate: for the food and cosmetics, from the Ministry of Health.
- Quarantine certificate: for the agricultural products, from the relevant plant organization.
- Veterinary certificate: for the livestock products, from the veterinary organization.
These certificates are necessary both for the export and the import and are controlled at the border by the relevant experts.
The stages of obtaining the permits
- Step one: determine the tariff code of the goods and inquire about the list of the necessary permits.
- Step two: present the sample and the technical documents to the relevant authority.
- Step three: the necessary tests and inspections are carried out and the certificate is issued.
- Step four: add the certificate to the customs document package.
Note: obtaining the permits is time-consuming. If you get the permit for a subject goods after the consignment has left, the goods stays at the border and the warehouse cost is imposed on you. These costs are explained in the hidden costs of the customs clearance.
Risk of returning the consignment
The biggest risk of the subject goods is the return from the border. If the health certificate or the standard permit of the goods has not been obtained in advance:
- The consignment is stopped at the customs.
- It may be returned to the origin and the cost of the return freight is imposed on you.
- Your commercial file becomes sensitive and the following consignments face more inspections.
How to be sure before the shipment leaves?
- Complete the documents checklist: see the place of the permits in the full list in documents needed for export from the Urmia border.
- Prepare your trade file: to get the permit you need a valid commercial card.
- Inquire about the tariff code: the correct tariff code determines which permits you need.
- Coordinate with a customs expert: a reliable forwarder specifies the list of the permits for you before the shipment.
FAQ
How do I know whether my goods is subject to the compulsory standard?
From the National Standards system and with the inquiry by the tariff code and the goods of the program. A customs expert can also do this for you.
Is a health certificate from the country of origin accepted?
Sometimes, in the certificate of an international certificate (like the health certificate of the country of origin) may be accepted depending on the agreements, but it must always be inquired about before the shipment.
What if my goods gets the permit but has a problem at the border?
Usually the problem is a discrepancy between the certificate and the goods or the packing list. The exact conformity between the customs documents and the goods reduces this risk to a minimum.
Summary
The standard and health permits are an inseparable part of the clearance of the subject goods. With the determination of the tariff code, the requirements of the list of the permits and the obtaining of the certificates on time, you prevent the expensive stopping and the return of the goods. The Vira Farabar Logistics team relates the permit list of your goods to you before the movement and coordinates the process.
