According to Mehrdad Jamal Orounaqi, a senior official with the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, importers who meet the requirements are allowed to clear half of their consignment and keep the rest at customs premises.
“They will be allowed to clear out the remaining 50% of freight, once they fully pay the duties,” he was quoted as saying by ILNA.
Noting that these importers won’t be subject to value added tax for the clearance of the first half of their shipment, the official said, “The deadline to enjoy special customs clearance privileges is Feb. 4, 2022.
Those who have failed to fully pay the duties in their previous clearances and have been listed as debtors can’t enjoy these facilities.”
The head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration said last month that there were 9.2 million tons of goods stranded at Iran’s ports of entry awaiting clearance from customs, of which 4.5 million tons are essential goods.
Also known as necessity goods, essential goods are products consumers will buy, regardless of changes in income levels.
Mehdi Mirashrafi added that the main reason behind this high volume of goods abandoned at ports is the existence of sanctions.
"However, there are other domestic reasons not related to sanctions,” he was quoted as saying by Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.
Referring to the multitude of directives issued by government bodies hampering the clearance of goods, Mirashrafi said 25 organizations in Iran make decisions pertaining to trade.