Transit guide
TIR carnets in Iran
The TIR system lets a sealed truck cross several countries with one customs document and one guarantee. Iran is a TIR contracting party, and most road transit through Iran to Central Asia, Afghanistan and the Caucasus uses it.
What a TIR carnet is
A TIR carnet is an international customs transit document under the UN TIR Convention of 1975. It carries a guarantee for the duties and taxes at risk during the journey, so the carrier does not need a separate guarantee in each country it crosses.
Carnets are issued to approved transport operators by a national guaranteeing association. The International Road Transport Union (IRU) manages the international guarantee chain.
What the truck needs
- A load compartment built so it can be sealed by customs, with no hidden spaces
- A certificate of approval for TIR transport
- TIR plates displayed at the front and back
How a TIR transit works
- Customs of departureCustoms checks the goods against the carnet, seals the load compartment and records the seal numbers.
- Transit bordersAt each border, customs checks the seals and the carnet vouchers. Inspection of the goods is possible but is not routine when the seals are intact.
- Customs of destinationThe final customs office checks the seals, takes the last voucher and closes the operation.
Limits to keep in mind
A carnet covers a set maximum amount of duties, so high-value cargo may need extra security. Some goods, such as alcohol and tobacco, are covered by a lower limit or need special arrangements. An electronic version, eTIR, is being introduced on more routes.
The Iran Chamber of Commerce (ICCIMA) is the national TIR association that issues and guarantees carnets in Iran, and Iran was one of the first countries to use the electronic eTIR system with Türkiye. Before a truck leaves, check that:
- The carnet has enough vouchers for every country on the route, including Iran, and is valid for the whole journey.
- The vehicle's TIR approval certificate is valid and the TIR plates are fixed front and back.
- The seal numbers on the truck match the carnet exactly. A broken or different seal is the most common reason for a full inspection at the border.
- The driver has a visa for every transit country and the truck has insurance valid in each of them.
- The CMR and invoice match the carnet in description, weight and number of packages.
The main road crossings for transit are Bazargan (Türkiye), Astara and Jolfa (Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan), Norduz (Armenia), Sarakhs, Lotfabad and Bajgiran (Turkmenistan), and Dogharoun and Milak (Afghanistan). Waiting times change with the season, holidays such as Nowruz and the situation on the other side, so we check the current queue before choosing a crossing.
General guidance, last reviewed November 2026. Rules change often; ask us to confirm the requirements for your shipment.