1-1 The party who is authorized to release the cargo from customs:
- The consignee according to the AWB/BILL OF LADING or equivalent document
(e.g. UN agencies, NGO, IOs, and other contributors/donors) is entitled to arrange customs clearance for importation of relief consignments to Iran.
- A customs handling agent also may carry out the clearance on behalf of the consignee/organizations. The clearing agent needs an official approval letter from the donors (UN, NGOs, IOs) for each consignment, stating that they will act on behalf of the donors to carry out customs formalities.
1-2 Required documents for importation to Iran:
See AIR/LAND/SEA section
Procedures: Based on a letter from Donor/Supplier of humanitarian aid shipments to consignee/receiving agency (UN, NGOs or IOs), the consignee/agency applies to BAFIA (Ministry of Interior) for a permission to import the goods to Iran. The letter should include a confirmation that the cargo is for humanitarian purposes.
Along with other supporting documents (copy of d/o or arrival notice and certificates), consignee/agency has to request BAFIA to issue a letter to Iranian customs head office in Tehran requesting for release permission, and tax/duty exemption.
After checking the documents, the customs office in Teheran will inform the regional customs office and issue "letter of exemption" that the cargo could be released free from customs duties and taxes.
Upon completion of all the required documents, the consignee (or the forwarding agent on behalf of the consignee) has to create a declaration to the regional customs to be attached to all documents in order to release the cargo for final importation to Iran.
After examination by the regional customs authorities permission for release (locally named "Green Djavaz”) will be issued to the consignee (or its broker) to release the cargo physically from Customs warehouse.
1-3 Time frame: The time needed to complete the clearance would normally be about 72 hours.
1-4 Official working hours of the customs:
The customs offices are open from 7.30 AM to 3.00 PM, Saturday to Thursday (Fridays closed).
1-5 Remarks: In Iran, all imported cargo must be off-loaded first in the Customs warehouse. Special permission for customs clearance on vehicle (direct delivery) could be applied for in order to avoid double handling. However, such permissions are being issued in very exceptional cases.
AIR:
Paper work required:
- AIRWAY BILL in original
- COMMERCIAL INVOICE for customs purposes (if any) in original
- CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN in original
- PACKING LISTS in original
- CERTIFICATES - depending on the nature of the cargo (e.g. food/medicine=certificate of health)
- LETTER OF EXEMPTION (all humanitarian relief cargo are exempted from customs duties/taxes)
- INSURANCE POLICY in original (if not provided the cost has to be paid to the customs by consignee).
- DELIVERY ORDER (or customs warehouse receipt)
This document has to be submitted to the consignee by the agent or transport company.
(e.g. agent of shipping line, air line or overland carrier)
LAND:
Paper work required:
- INTL WAY BILL in original
- Other documents as indicated above in the air section
SEA:
Paper work required:
- BILL OF LADING in original
- Other documents as indicated above in the air section
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