Dangerous goods can be carried to Iran by road, provided the cargo is classified, packaged and documented in line with ADR rules in Turkey and the transit countries. The driver's ADR training certificate (SRC5 in Turkey), the vehicle's ADR certificate of approval where required and the transport document are kept ready. The import permit and acceptance conditions on the Iranian side are confirmed with the consignee before departure.
What is ADR and what does it govern on the Iran route?
ADR is the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, concluded in Geneva on 30 September 1957; according to the UN Treaty Collection it has 55 parties. Turkey acceded to the agreement on 22 February 2010 and governs its domestic application through the Regulation on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road of 18 June 2022. The regulation also covers international transport carried out in Turkey by foreign-registered vehicles. The basic concepts are explained in what ADR is.
On a dangerous goods trip to Iran, the rules are read section by section. On the Turkish section, ADR and the regulation apply. Russia (1994) and Georgia (2016), crossed on the Russian corridor, are also ADR parties; the status of the countries crossed on the European corridor is checked in the UN list of parties. The rules applicable on the Iranian section, any additional permits and the import acceptance conditions are confirmed with the consignee.
Which documents are prepared?
| Document | Prepared or carried by | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Transport document | Consignor | The particulars in ADR 5.4.1: UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, tunnel restriction code, quantity |
| Safety data sheet (SDS) | Manufacturer or consignor | Classification and hazards of the substance; may be requested at roadside checks |
| SRC5 certificate | Driver | Dangerous goods driver training under ADR 8.2 |
| ADR certificate of approval | Vehicle (tankers, class 1 and similar) | The vehicle's compliance with ADR Part 9; valid for no more than one year |
| Dangerous Goods Activity Certificate | Carrier | Authorisation to carry out dangerous goods transport in Turkey |
Under the regulation, no vehicle certificate of approval is required for packaged or bulk carriage of substances other than class 1; for tanker transport and class 1 explosives, the certificate is mandatory. The content of the document is covered in the ADR transport document, the driver requirement in the SRC5 certificate and the vehicle requirement in the ADR certificate of approval.
Why are the class and UN number the first things asked?
Under Article 18 of the regulation, the consignor is responsible for ensuring that the cargo is classified in line with ADR and that its carriage is permitted. The class and UN number determine the packaging type, the labels, the orange-coloured plates, the equipment to be carried on the vehicle, whether the goods may be loaded together with other cargo, and the tunnel restrictions. Without this information, neither the vehicle nor the route can be chosen. A summary of the nine classes is in ADR dangerous goods classes.
How do tunnel codes affect the route?
A tunnel restriction code is a letter code showing which category of tunnel a dangerous substance may pass through. In Turkey, classifying and signposting road tunnels in line with ADR is the task of the General Directorate of Highways (KGM). Cargo with a restrictive code may have to take an alternative road instead of a tunnel, which can lengthen the route. Which tunnels the letters B, C, D and E close is explained in the ADR tunnel restriction code.
What needs attention on the Iranian side?
- Import permit: for chemicals and hazardous products, any licence or prior permit is obtained by the consignee; the permit details are shared before departure.
- Product restrictions: whether the goods fall under Iran's import restrictions is assessed together with the framework in Iran's import bans.
- Sanctions compliance: chemicals and dual-use goods are particularly sensitive with regard to sanctions lists; the general framework is in sanctions responsibility when shipping to Iran.
- Document copies: any extra copies and translations the consignee needs for Iranian customs are prepared before loading.
What information is requested for a quote?
- current safety data sheet (SDS/MSDS),
- UN number, class and packing group,
- net and gross quantity, number of packages,
- packaging type and UN approval code, or tank/bulk details,
- loading and delivery addresses and the ready date.
Why the SDS is requested is explained in the safety data sheet. The scope of the service is on the dangerous goods (ADR) transport page, and the general framework of the lane on the Turkey–Iran road freight page.