According to the Turkish Ministry of Trade's October 2024 note on Iran, Iran has banned imports under 2,150 eight-digit tariff lines covering goods produced in the country, goods not considered essential and goods regarded as luxuries. Because the list can change, the check is made by the product's tariff line and with the Iranian buyer's current written confirmation; responsibility lies with the shipper and the buyer.
What does the Iran import ban mean?
The Iran import ban means that Iran, under its own foreign trade regime, closes its market to goods in certain tariff lines. The ban is different from the sanctions other countries apply to Iran: the decision is Iran's, and the goods cannot be imported at Iranian customs. According to the Turkish Ministry of Trade's October 2024 note, the ban targets goods produced in the country, goods not seen as essential and goods regarded as luxuries, and covers 2,150 eight-digit tariff lines.
According to the same note, Iran prefers to import raw materials and intermediate goods and to import as few finished products as possible. Despite broad restrictions on finished consumer products, imports of knocked-down (CKD-SKD) products that are assembled in the country and add local value may be allowed.
Which products are actually being shipped to Iran?
The ministry's note lists Turkey's top exports to Iran in 2023 as follows:
| Four-digit HS code | Product group | 2023 exports (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1005 | Maize (corn) | USD 264 million |
| 5501 | Synthetic filament tow | USD 113 million |
| 4703 | Chemical wood pulp | USD 91 million |
| 3004 | Medicines | USD 78 million |
| 2304 | Soybean meal | USD 72 million |
Taking the import bans into account, the note also names machinery, equipment and spare parts, semi-processed petrochemical products and knocked-down products as groups with potential. For finished consumer products, the risk of bans and restrictions is higher.
What is the difference between a ban, a restriction and a sanction?
| Concept | Decided by | Result | Checked by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Import ban | Iran | The product cannot be imported into Iran | Buyer and Iranian customs broker |
| Import restriction or licence | Iran | The product enters only with a licence, registration or condition | Buyer and Iranian customs broker |
| Sanctions | UN, EU, US and others | The product, the parties or the payment may fall foul of these regimes | Shipper and buyer, with their own legal advisers |
| Turkey's export controls | Turkey | Some products need an export licence | Exporter |
The sanctions framework is covered in the sanctions responsibility when shipping to Iran entry, and licensable products in the dual-use goods exports entry.
How is the check made by tariff code?
- The product's 12-digit Turkish tariff code (GTİP) is determined; the method is in the how to find a GTİP code entry.
- The first 6 digits come from the international Harmonized System and are shared by both countries. Iran's tariff has 8 digits; the 7th and 8th digits may not match the Turkish subdivision. Details are in the HS code vs GTİP entry.
- The buyer is asked to state in writing the product's eight-digit line in the Iranian tariff and that its import is permitted.
- If the product is to be shipped knocked down, the check is repeated part by part, because the parts are classified under different tariff lines from the finished product.
- The date of the confirmation is recorded; because the list can be updated, the check is renewed for long-term contracts.
What happens if a banned product is shipped?
The goods cannot be imported into Iran and wait at the border or at the customs office of destination. Costs arise for the return, rerouting to a third country or waiting. According to the Turkish Ministry of Trade's TIR guidance, the carnet used on the outbound journey cannot be used to bring returned goods back into Turkey; the return is planned with a separate transit document and new customs formalities.
Who is responsible?
Confirming that a product can be imported into Iran is the job of the shipper and the buyer. A contract of carriage is no guarantee that a product can be released for free circulation in Iran. The shipping steps for cargo that has completed this check are described on the Turkey–Iran road freight page.