Customs
Asia
Iran Customs Regulations
Import & export rules, duty-free allowances, prohibited items, and traveler health advisory
$80
Duty-free limit
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Import Regulations
- A reasonable amount of cigarettes and tobacco products
- A reasonable amount of perfume suitable for personal use
- Legal gifts less than USD 80 in total price
- Illegal Drugs
- Alcohol or alcoholic beverages
- Firearms, explosives and Ammunition
- Knives and deadly weapons
- Short wave radios
- Gambling tools
- Fruit and vegetables
- Pork products
- Plant and plant products
- Soil
- Cats, dogs and other pets – unless permission has been granted
- Birds
- Magazines, photos or film which is judged to be against the countries interests and national dignity
- Any book or writing which is judged to be against the countries interests and national dignity
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Pornographic material
- All plant and food products are prohibited from entering the country. Any plant or plant products brought into the country must be reported to the Plant Quarantine officials upon entry.
- Dogs, Cats and other animals will require a veterinarian health certificate and a rabies certificate from the country of origin before being allowed entry into the country.
Export Regulations
- No information available
- Illegal Drugs
- Alcohol or alcoholic beverages
- Firearms, explosives and Ammunition
- Knives and deadly weapons
- Short wave radios
- Gambling tools
- Fruit and vegetables
- Pork products
- Plant and plant products
- Soil
- Cats, dogs and other pets – unless permission has been granted
- Birds
- Magazines, photos or film which is judged to be against the countries interests and national dignity
- Any book or writing which is judged to be against the countries interests and national dignity
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Pornographic material
- An IRR 70,000 airport tax must be paid by all travellers leaving Iran for another country.
Health & Security
Basic health information for travelers to Iran
Basic security information for travelers to Iran
🩺 Basic Health Information for Travelers to Iran
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from countries with infected areas. Other travellers are strongly advised to obtain vaccination against the disease before visiting the country.
- Although local tap and other water sources are considered relatively safe, most travellers are advised to stick to bottled water upon entering the country. Water in more rural or isolated regions should be thoroughly boiled before drunk. Milk which has not been pasteurized should not be drunk and all dairy products avoided.
- All meat, fish and vegetables should be considered contaminated and should be well cooked and served boiling hot for safety. Any items of native fruit should be peeled before being eaten. Food and drink served from vendors maybe underprepared or contaminated and travellers buy from them at their own risk.
- Despite the relatively low risk of harm, cases of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) have been reported in the country and travellers should take great care if cooking any Poultry or egg based dishes.
- Travellers planning on visiting Iran should obtain vaccinations against a wide variety of water based diseases including Hepatitis A, E, Cholera, Typhoid and Diphtheria. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is also present throughout the country and travellers should avoid swimming in any pools, streams or other natural water sources.
- Much of Iran is vulnerable to various insect based diseases including Visceral Leishmaniasis and Malaria. Both diseases are mostly a danger to travellers visiting the more rural areas of the country but are present year round although Malaria is usually found in areas up to 1500 metres high between the months of March to November. All travellers are strongly advised to obtain plenty of close fitting clothing and insect repellent for protection and should seek out immediate medical assistance in the event of infection.
- HIV and Hepatitis B are endemic to the region and travellers should undertake all necessary precautions when dealing with bloody needles or when engaging in sexual intercourse during the course of their visit. Travellers should note the potential for serious punishments resulting from sexual encounters between unmarried partners or between Muslims and non Muslims visiting the country.
- Visitors to the country should avoid any wild dogs or other animals whose bites might contain Rabies. If bitten travellers should immediately clean the wound and seek out medical assistance to check for signs of infection.
- High levels of air pollution combined with the sometimes high temperature may cause respiratory problems in travellers of an elderly or otherwise physically vulnerable state.
- The overall standard of healthcare is good but potentially limited in Tehran and other major cities but may be extremely limited in more remote regions of the country. Travellers are strongly advised to take obtain full travel and health insurance prior to beginning their visit and to take a medical kit with them in case of an emergency. Local medical assistance may be expensive and doctors will likely demand cash upfront for any services rendered. An emergency airlift to a nearby country may be required in the event of serious illness or injury.
🛡 Basic Security Information for Travelers to Iran
- Although not prohibited from doing so, all potential travellers to Iran are strongly advised to check the countries current social and political situation prior to booking their flight. Iran is a potentially dangerous environment for foreign visitors and due care should be taken at all times if visiting the country. All foreign visitors should stick rigidly to prearranged tourist routes and avoid any activities or behaviour which could draw the attention of the security services.
- Foreign travellers to Iran should be wary of politically motivated acts of violence against civilians which can vary from kidnappings to bomb blasts. Previous acts of violence against foreigners include attacks on the British and other embassies along with random assaults against western civilians throughout the country. Visitors are strongly advised to take great care when visiting all sections of the country and should avoid any overt conversation or behaviour which could attract attention or provoke a violent reaction.
- All travel to the country’s borders with Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan should be avoided owing to the potential of armed conflict between the various nations and the extreme levels of banditry, drug smuggling and violent crime throughout the region. Any foreign visitors to the country should exercise great caution if choosing to visit these regions and avoid any conflict between army and rebel militia forces which might exist in the area and should stick to the main thoroughfares.
- Incidents of theft and assault are relatively low in Tehran but still exist. Regular scams involving natives claiming to be police officers have been reported and all travellers should request identification before handing over passports or other valuable items to the authorities. Travellers to the country are also advised to keep their passport and other valuables in a safe location at all times and avoid any obvious displays of wealth in public which could serve to attract unwanted attention. Travel alone after dark is not recommended and hard currency should not be carried around in large sums where possible.
- Ever since the Iranian Presidential elections in June 2009 there have been a number of demonstrations in Tehran and at other locations throughout the country with conflict between protesters and the security forces leading to violence and arrests. All foreign travellers are strongly advised to avoid any large movements or protests which could quickly turn hostile and dangerous. Any visitor to the region should keep a close eye on the countries current social and political situation both prior to and during their stay in the country and should plan their actions accordingly.
- Iran currently has one of the highest recording incidents of traffic accidents in the world and all travellers planning on driving during their visit should take care when navigating the often poor quality of the countries roads. Driving standards are considerably lower in Iran and roads poorly lit and signposted. Travel late at night is not advised owing to the lack of lighting and poor overall condition of the roads. Roadblocks are often set up by Iranian authorities and any foreign drivers should check that their intended route is still open and safe before beginning their journey.
- Iran is in a seismically active zone and Earthquakes, many of them potentially dangerous, are a regular occurrence. In the event of an Earthquake, travellers are urged to stay calm and to contact their nearest embassy at the first available opportunity to confirm your condition. Dust and sandstorms can combine to make the country a very arid environment and temperatures may become uncomfortably warm during the summer months. Travellers visiting during this period should obtain plenty of bottled water for protection and ensure that they have adequate protection against both the native diseases and the occasionally inhospitable environment.
- Islamic law is strongly enforced throughout Iran and foreign travellers found violating the countries laws can expect a wide range of punishments ranging from brutal prison sentences to executions if found guilty of drug related crimes. All travellers to the country are strongly advised against any behaviour which could serve to bring them into contact with the police or the security services.
- Iran has a strict dress code for men and women with men according to the UK foreign office required to wear “long trousers and long-sleeve shirts and women needing to cover their heads with a headscarf, wear trousers (or a very long skirt), and a long-sleeved tunic or coat that reaches to mid-thigh or knee.”Public displays of affection between members of the opposite sex are best avoided.
- Almost all alcohol and pork products are banned from importation and consumption in Iran on the grounds of religion with serious penalties if discovered. Travellers visiting during the holy month of Ramadan or other religious events should respect local traditions and take care to avoid any behaviour which could potentially cause offence such as drinking or smoking in public.
- Photographs taken of any important government, military or religious installations are prohibited and will lead to being detained without warning by the security services. Photos of Iranian citizens should only be taken with their permission to avoid any confusion or uncertainty.
- Homosexual behaviour is illegal in Iran and can carry the death penalty. Intimate contact between Muslim and non Muslim is prohibited and could lead to harsh punishments for all parties involved and all foreign partners of the opposite sex visiting the country should be discreet and careful when showing any signs of affection in the country.
Contact Information
For further assistance please contact the Iranian Customs authorities directly. They will provide the latest information about customs regulations and export-import procedures.
Telephone
+982188932057-9
Official Website