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Quick answer: Clearing goods from China to Iran takes a few steps: prepare the documents (invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin), register in Iran’s Comprehensive Trade System, declare the goods with an HS code and goods ID (TSC), pay the import duties, and release the cargo. ChinPost clearance costs 950,000 Toman per kilogram (over 500 kg: 800,000 Toman), and express clearance runs through a customs pass (پته) and postal channels.
Many imports get stuck neither at sea nor on the plane, but at customs. The cargo has arrived, the documents are incomplete; or the product name on the invoice does not match the packing list; or the HS code is wrong and the duty has multiplied. Clearance is not a step you can leave to luck — it has a checklist, and this guide walks through it step by step.
Read this guide in Persian: ترخیص کالا از چین به ایران: راهنمای قدمبهقدم
Steps to Clear Goods from China to Iran
Step 1: Complete the documents
Everything starts with the documents. Before the cargo moves, have these ready:
- Commercial invoice: product name, quantity, unit price and total amount
- Packing list: number of cartons, weight and dimensions of each package
- Bill of lading / airway bill: the sea or air transport document
- Certificate of origin (CO): the official certificate of the goods’ country of origin
- Insurance policy: if the cargo is insured
The golden rule: the product name on the invoice and the packing list must be exactly the same, and everything listed on the packing list must also appear on the invoice. This one simple mismatch is the most common reason clearance stalls.
Step 2: Register in the Comprehensive Trade System
Imports into Iran are registered through the Comprehensive Trade System (سامانه جامع تجارت). Order registration and currency allocation (where needed) happen in this system, and without it a customs declaration is not possible.
Step 3: Goods ID and HS code
Every product has an HS code (tariff code) that determines its import duty; a wrong code means a wrong duty. The goods ID (TSC) is also used to track the product through the customs process — details are in the goods ID (TSC) guide.
Step 4: Customs declaration
With complete documents, the customs declaration is prepared and the goods are declared. At this stage customs matches the documents against the cargo and inspects the goods if needed.
Step 5: Pay import duties and charges
Import duty is calculated from the HS code and the customs value of the goods, and then paid. The exact figure is only known once the HS code and the value are set — there is no fixed number for all goods.
Step 6: Release and delivery
After payment, the goods are released and delivered to your warehouse. Clearance at ChinPost is express, via customs pass (پته) and postal channels; that is why no value-added tax applies to it.
Documents Needed for Clearance — Checklist
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Product name, quantity, unit price, total amount |
| Packing list | Carton count, weight, dimensions — product name exactly as on the invoice |
| Bill of lading | Sea (B/L) or air (AWB) |
| Certificate of origin | Official certificate of the country of origin; for Iran usually general, non-preferential |
| Insurance policy | If the cargo is insured |
| Permits | Only for goods that need a permit (health, telecom, etc.) |
How Much Does Clearance Cost?
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Customs clearance | 950,000 Toman per kilogram |
| Customs clearance (cargo over 500 kg) | 800,000 Toman per kilogram |
| Customs import duty | Depends on the HS code and cargo value — calculated separately |
Budget for the side costs too: port THC, demurrage and storage (if the cargo stays at the port beyond the free days), cargo insurance (about 0.3–0.5% of the cargo value) and inland transport from the port to your warehouse. Full freight and clearance costs are in the shipping cost guide from China to Iran.
Air or Sea Clearance?
The clearance documents are the same for both methods; the difference is time and volume. Air arrives faster and suits light, urgent cargo (air freight takes 3–7 business days); sea is more economical for large volumes (25–35 days). In both methods, complete documents decide whether clearance is fast or the cargo sits at customs. Methods and timings are on the cargo China page.
Common Clearance Mistakes
1. Product name mismatch between invoice and packing list
The most common reason clearance stalls. Write the product name exactly the same in both documents.
2. Wrong HS code
A wrong HS code means a wrong import duty — sometimes several times higher. Check the code with your broker before declaring.
3. Incomplete or late documents
If the documents arrive after the cargo, demurrage and storage start running. Prepare the documents before the cargo moves.
4. Ignoring permits
Some goods (health, telecom, food) need a separate permit; without it, clearance is not possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does customs clearance from China to Iran cost?
950,000 Toman per kilogram; for cargo over 500 kg, 800,000 Toman per kilogram. Customs import duty is separate and calculated from the product’s HS code.
Does clearance include value-added tax?
No; ChinPost clearance is express, via customs pass (پته) and postal channels, and no value-added tax applies to it.
What documents are needed for clearance?
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and insurance policy; for special goods, the relevant permits are also needed.
What happens if the product name differs between the invoice and the packing list?
Customs objects and clearance stops. The product name must be exactly the same in both documents, and everything on the packing list must also appear on the invoice.
How does air clearance differ from sea clearance?
The documents are the same; air is faster and more expensive, sea is more economical for large volumes. In both methods, complete documents determine how fast clearance goes.
ChinPost Is With You
The ChinPost team in China and Iran manages your whole import, end to end: same-day rate quotes, cargo consolidation in our China warehouses, quality inspection, customs clearance and delivery to your warehouse. For an urgent clearance or rate quote, message ChinPost on WhatsApp — you get an answer in under half an hour.
Last updated: November 7, 2026
