Cargo sent to Iran is tracked with three sources of data: the position from the truck's GPS unit, the driver's milestone reports and customs records (transit declaration and TIR carnet operations). These are combined at the loading, Turkish exit, Gürbulak–Bazargan crossing, Iranian customs and delivery stages and passed to the cargo owner as regular reports.
What data is used to track a shipment to Iran?
Shipment tracking means following both where the cargo is and which processing stage it has reached. Position alone is not enough: the dot on the map for a truck waiting at Gürbulak may not move for days; the real information is which step the customs process has reached. That is why three sources are read together on the Iran lane:
- GPS position: the unit on the truck calculates its position from satellite signals and sends it to the platform over the mobile network. How it works is explained in how GPS vehicle tracking works. Data may arrive late on sections with weak coverage.
- Driver reports: events such as loading, sealing, arrival at the gate, inspection and unloading are confirmed by the driver.
- Customs records: on the Turkish section, the MRN of the transit declaration; on the international section, the vouchers of the TIR carnet processed at each customs office.
What are the stages of the journey and what is reported at each?
| Stage | What happens | Reported to the cargo owner |
|---|---|---|
| Loading | Cargo is loaded and the CMR is issued | Loading time, confirmation of packages and weight, copy of the CMR |
| Customs of departure | Export declaration is closed, transit declaration or carnet is opened, truck is sealed | Declaration status, seal details, MRN or carnet number |
| Gürbulak | Turkish exit formalities and processing of the carnet voucher | Time of arrival at the gate, queue and waiting status |
| Bazargan | Iranian entry checks and acceptance of the carnet | Confirmation of entry and any additional checks |
| Customs of destination | Carnet is discharged, import formalities begin | Time of arrival, consignee's move to customs clearance |
| Delivery | Unloading and signature of the CMR by the consignee | Delivery time, signed CMR and any damage remarks |
How are customs records used in tracking?
On the transit section within Turkey, the acceptance, release and arrival status of the declaration is followed by its MRN; the method is described in tracking a T1 shipment. With a TIR carnet, each customs office processes its own voucher, and the journey ends with discharge at the customs office of destination. Which document to use is discussed in TIR carnet or T1 for cargo to Iran.
The real purpose of tracking is to spot delays early. If the position and the customs status do not match, for example when the truck appears to have left the gate but the carnet voucher has not been processed, the matter is clarified with the customs office concerned before the cargo owner has to ask.
In its August 2026 assessment of Gürbulak–Bazargan, the IRU recommended wider use of the TIR-EPD platform. TIR-EPD lets the carrier send cargo information to customs electronically before the truck reaches the gate; at Dilucu it is used together with the TIR green lane. Details are in TIR-EPD and the TIR green lane.
Can e-CMR be used on the Iran lane?
An e-CMR is the electronic form of the consignment note, with the same legal value as the paper version. According to the UN list of parties, Iran acceded to the Additional Protocol on the e-CMR on 8 November 2017, Turkey on 31 January 2018 and Russia on 6 March 2018; Georgia is not on the list. Being a party to the protocol does not mean the system is ready for every trip; the platform used must be recognised on both sides. The topic is covered in detail in e-CMR.
How does Voltim Global report on Iran trips?
Voltim Global provides daily vehicle tracking and reporting on Iran trips, combining position, driver reports and customs status in a single report. Voltim Global has no office or agent in Iran, so information on the border crossing and delivery comes directly from the Voltim Global operations team rather than from an intermediary. For a quote, send the loading point, the delivery point, the type of goods, dimensions and weight and the ready date. Details are on the daily vehicle tracking and reporting and Turkey–Iran road freight pages.