Import of Passenger Cars by Foreign Investors and Tariff Reforms in Iran (2025)

🔹 According to a new resolution by the Iranian Cabinet of Ministers, the import of passenger cars by foreign investors will be permitted in 2025. This decision, enacted under Clause (R) of Note (1) of the Single Article of the 2025 National Budget Law, introduces new requirements for the registration and clearance of imported vehicles.

Key Details of Passenger Car Import Registration

• A new category has been created in the Comprehensive Trade System under the title “Import of Passenger Cars by Foreign Investors under Clause (R) of Note (1) of the 2025 Budget Law.”
• Imports are restricted to brand-new vehicles only.
• Only specific eight-digit tariff codes are eligible under this directive.
• Registration of product IDs and obtaining after-sales service approval from the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade (MIMT) is mandatory.
• Participation in this scheme is limited to entities holding a valid business card (trade license).
• For every USD 300,000 of foreign investment, one passenger car with a maximum value of USD 30,000 can be imported.
• Foreign currency must be provided through licenses issued by the Organization for Investment and Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran (OIETAI).
• The registration process requires approval from the MIMT, the National Standards Organization, and OIETAI.
• The deadline for vehicle registration under this directive is March 19, 2026 (29 Esfand 1404).

Tariff Reforms on Passenger Cars (2025)

Alongside the new import measures, the government has also announced reforms to customs duties on passenger cars.

• Import tariffs for vehicles with engines larger than 2000 cc have been reduced.
• Effective from March 21, 2025 (01/01/1404), new rates for customs duties on passenger cars will be applied according to the revised tariff schedule.

These changes have been introduced in line with Clause (R) of Note (1) of the 2025 Budget Law, aiming to ensure compliance with tariff provisions and secure the financial resources anticipated in the law.

Conclusion

With these new measures, car imports in Iran will be regulated under stricter but more structured frameworks in 2025. On one hand, the new directive facilitates vehicle imports for foreign investors, while on the other, the reduction in tariffs for high-engine-capacity cars is expected to transform the Iranian car market, making a wider variety of vehicles accessible to consumers.