In transit truck transport via Iran, the vehicle enters Iran through the Gürbulak, Kapıköy or Esendere crossing and, without unloading, continues to Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan or the Gulf ports. Customs transit is mostly covered by a TIR carnet. Transit permits, driver visas, the charges Iran levies on foreign vehicles and sanctions-related payment risks should be planned in advance.
What cargo is the Iran corridor used for?
Iran is a land bridge east of Türkiye that opens in three separate directions. To the north-east it leads via Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, to the north via Astara to Azerbaijan and Russia's Dagestan region, and to the south via the port of Bandar Abbas to the Gulf. Cargo bound for Afghanistan and Pakistan also passes through the country. A comparison with other routes to Central Asia is in the road transport from Türkiye to Central Asia entry, and the Russia connection in the road routes from Türkiye to Russia entry.
Which border crossings are used?
| Turkish crossing (province) | Iranian crossing | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Gürbulak (Ağrı) | Bazargan | Main truck crossing; shortest link to the Tabriz–Tehran motorway |
| Kapıköy (Van) | Razi | Alternative when Gürbulak is congested; cargo from Van and the south-east |
| Esendere (Hakkâri) | Serow | Regional traffic, towards Urmia |
Gürbulak is Türkiye's busiest truck crossing in the east; before public holidays and at the start of the season, traffic may be diverted to Kapıköy.
How does a trip proceed step by step?
- Document preparation: Transit permits for Iran and the other countries on the route are obtained in advance from the distribution system of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (Ulaştırma ve Altyapı Bakanlığı). The number of vouchers in the TIR carnet is chosen to suffice for the customs offices along the route.
- Leaving Türkiye: The export declaration is closed, the TIR carnet is opened at the customs office of departure and the vehicle is sealed. Since Iran is a party to the TIR Convention, the carnet allows passage without a new guarantee at each border; how the system works is explained in the TIR carnet entry.
- Entering Iran: At Bazargan the carnet is accepted and the seal and vehicle are checked. Foreign-registered trucks are charged fees under the names of fuel price difference and road usage charge; the amounts change from time to time.
- Road inside Iran: It is about 900 km from Gürbulak to Tehran, and about another 1,100 km from Tehran via Mashhad to Sarakhs on the Turkmen border. The vehicle must follow the route and transit time set in the country.
- Exit and onward travel: The carnet voucher is processed at the Iranian exit crossing. Entry into Turkmenistan requires a separate transit fee and a driver visa.
Who is responsible for what?
The carnet holder, i.e. the carrier, is responsible for the cargo reaching the customs office of destination with the seals intact. The shipper must confirm that the transit of the cargo through Iran is not prohibited or restricted. The driver's passport and visa status are the carrier's responsibility. Turkish citizens can enter Iran visa-free for short stays, but visas for Turkmenistan and some Central Asian countries are obtained separately; visa applications are planned in advance according to the trip schedule.
What are the risks?
- Sanctions: International sanctions against Iran affect bank transfers and insurance cover. Some cargo insurance policies exclude Iran; even for transit, the geographical scope of the policy should be confirmed in writing.
- Dual-use items: For machine parts, electronics and chemical cargo, export control lists should be screened separately.
- Winter: Snow and ice in Eastern Anatolia and north-western Iran lengthen trip times.
- Crossing congestion: Waiting time at Gürbulak should be added to the trip plan in days, and the Kapıköy option should be considered before departure.
- Political developments: In periods of regional tension, crossing and route conditions can change at short notice.
How does Voltim Global support this?
The road route via Iran is one of the routes Voltim Global uses to carry cargo from Russia to Akkuyu. On these trips, transit customs clearance, transit permit and carnet planning are completed before loading; the route is assessed according to the season together with the Georgia and Ro-Ro options. The general logic of transit is explained in the transit truck transport entry.