Transit freight by semi-trailer

Thanks to its location, Iran links the Persian Gulf with Afghanistan, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkey and Russia. Transit freight by semi-trailer at Mehr Tarabar means cargo that enters Iran at one border or port, crosses the country by semi-trailer under customs control without final clearance, and leaves through another border for the destination country.

International transit vs. inland transit

What the law says

• No import duties: under Iran’s law on the carriage and passage of foreign goods, international transit cargo is not treated as a definitive import or export and is exempt from customs duties, commercial profit tax and levies; only customs service and operating costs apply.
• Guarantees instead of cash: for cargo carried by licensed international transport companies, a bank guarantee or valid insurance policy is accepted instead of a cash deposit.
• Permit deadline: transit is complete when the cargo reaches the exit customs office or leaves the border within the permit’s validity; the guarantee is then released. Delays bring penalties.
• Goods needing permits: livestock, plant and chemical shipments need approval from the relevant authorities, and some goods may not transit at all.

Common road transit routes

Customs sets the exact route in the transit permit. Before loading, Mehr Tarabar confirms the route, exit customs office and estimated time based on your goods and current border conditions.

The right semi-trailer for transit cargo

• Curtain-side semi-trailer: the most common choice for general cargo, cartons and pallets; the cargo space can be customs-sealed and is protected from rain and dust.
• Refrigerated semi-trailer: for food, fruit and medicine; waiting time at borders matters even more for these loads.
• Tanker semi-trailer: for permitted liquids and petroleum or chemical products, with special safety requirements and permits.
• Flatbed container carrier: for moving containers from port to exit border without opening or re-handling the cargo.

Documents for transit

• International road consignment note (CMR): the core transport document with sender, consignee and cargo details.
• Transit declaration and permit: issued at the entry customs office, setting the route, exit customs office and time limit.
• Commercial invoice and packing list: show the value, quantity and packing of the goods.
• Customs guarantee: a bank guarantee or insurance policy instead of a cash deposit, as the law allows.
• TIR Carnet (where available): lets sealed cargo cross several countries without being opened at each border.
• Special permits: phytosanitary and health certificates for livestock and plant products, and permits for chemicals.

Working with Mehr Tarabar

• Quote: tell us the goods, entry customs office, destination country and ready date.
• Documents and guarantee: Mehr Tarabar specialists review the paperwork and guarantee you need before departure.
• Loading and sealing: cargo is loaded and sealed at the entry customs office and the transit permit is issued.
• Crossing Iran: the semi-trailer follows the set route within the permit deadline, and you are kept updated.
• Exit and release: once the cargo leaves the border and the exit customs office confirms it, transit is closed and the guarantee released.

Key points for transit

• The customs seal must stay intact until the exit customs office; any tampering stops the transit.
• Cargo details on the consignment note, invoice and declaration must match exactly.
• Respect the permit deadline; unjustified delays are fined and, in cases of bad faith, treated as smuggling.
• Check the destination country’s rules for your goods before shipping.

This is general guidance, not customs advice. The rules summarised here come from Iran’s law on the carriage and passage of foreign goods and the Customs Affairs Law, and may change with new customs circulars. In the quote form, choose “International” and mention in the notes that the cargo is in transit, and the Mehr Tarabar team will suggest the right route and semi-trailer.

With Mehr Tarabar, your transit cargo crosses Iran from entry customs to exit border with its seal intact, within the legal deadline and with constant follow-up.