Announcement of New Car Import Regulations in Iran

The Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade (MIMT) have issued new regulations on car imports, introducing significant changes in the process of ordering and customs clearance of imported vehicles.

According to the new resolution:

• Obtaining a permit from the National Standards Organization is mandatory at the time of placing an order.
• At the clearance stage, approvals from both the Standards Organization and the Department of Environment are required.
• The maximum value for registering each brand-new vehicle under foreign investment has been set at 30,000 USD.
• All applicants must hold a valid business license (commercial card) to proceed with the registration.

Starting in 2025, passenger car imports will not be limited to special exemptions (such as war veterans) and will also be carried out through the Comprehensive Trade System based on this resolution.

Car imports from Free Trade Zones to the Mainland

Furthermore, vehicle imports from Free Trade–Industrial Zones into mainland Iran are now permitted under Article (9) of the Executive Bylaw of Article (11) of the Automotive Industry Regulation Law.

Key details include:
1️⃣ Creation of a new registration category titled “Import of Cars from Free Trade Zones under Article (9) of the Executive Bylaw” within the Comprehensive Trade System.
2️⃣ Only tariff codes 8701, 8702, 8703, and 8704 are eligible.
3️⃣ Vehicle information must be registered in the Secretariat of the High Council of Free Zones prior to the order submission.
4️⃣ Individuals without a business license may import only one vehicle with a one-time special permit.
5️⃣ Approved sources of foreign currency are determined according to Clause 9, Article 38 of the Executive Bylaw of Export and Import Regulations.
6️⃣ Product identification codes and after-sales service approval must be obtained during the registration process.
7️⃣ Completion of vehicle plate information in Free Zones is mandatory.
8️⃣ All orders are subject to review and approval by the Automotive Industry Office of MIMT, as well as authorization from the Free Zones High Council.
9️⃣ The deadline for submitting orders under this resolution is June 5, 2027.

📌 With the implementation of these new rules, Iran’s car import system will operate under stricter and more transparent frameworks aimed at improving transparency, controlling foreign currency flows, and regulating the automotive market.