Recommendations for visiting Iran

Iranians are friendly, hospitable people, with an ancient history and a passion for their traditions. Modern Iranians have acquired such qualities as leisurely and measured conduct of business, morality, patriotism, hospitality, impulsiveness in communication, respect for elders, sophistication and attention to details. The specifics of Iranian behavior in general correlates with the mentality of the peoples of the Middle East, but it also has a number of distinctive features that foreigners need to take into account for a comfortable stay in the country.
Here are some nuances, rules and codes of conduct in Iran:

1.   The Iranian Calendar is different from Gregorian calendar. The Persian week begins on Saturday and ends on Friday, with Thursday and Friday being the weekend. The shops are usually open from Saturday to Thursday and from 10 am to 9 pm.

2.   Foreign card providers such as Visa, MasterCard etc. are not active in Iran and visitors should plan their transactions in cash. US Dollars or Euros can be changed into Iranian Rial at the local exchange offices or at the airport. The official currency of Iran is Rial; however, the prices are now indicated in Toman. Each Toman equals 10 Rial. The bills and coins are still in Rial so in order to find out the value in Toman you just need to omit one zero.

3.   The storage, consumption and distribution of alcohol, as well as attempting to pass it trough borders, is punishable.

4.   Pork, narcotic substances, extremist literature, printed and electronic media that offend Islam or the state authorities in Iran, propagandize the Western system of values and contradict Sharia norms, and also contain pornographic content are prohibited from being imported into the country.

5.   Taking photos of military settlements, police stations and forces, factories, power plants and other strategic buildings such as ministries is legally banned due to national security matters. It’s best to pay attention to no photography signs and ask permission before taking photos if you’re not sure.

6.   The Islamic Republic of Iran is a theocratic state in which the norms of “Sharia” (Islamic law) operate at the legislative level. According to these norms, foreign women, like local women, are required to wear a “hijab” — a special form of clothing that covers the entire body except for the face and hands. It is recommended to wear loose-fitting clothing that does not show the curves of the body.

7.   Men's wardrobe does not accept shorts above the knee and a T-shirt with bare shoulders.

8.   It is not accepted to shake hands with a person of different sex, entering the female section of a public transportation and places.

9.   In Ramadan month, in which the majority of people keep fast during the day, it is disrespectful to eat, drink and smoke in public. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Most restaurants, juice bars and cafes are closed from sunrise to sunset.

10.   Most hotels offer free Wi-Fi to their guests. Thus, to make sure you can access the internet everywhere, it’s best to buy an Iranian SIM card and use its data package. 4G data is available throughout the country with Iranian SIM cards. Take into consideration that a number of worldwide social media and websites are filtered thus not accessible from inside the country.

11.   Usual procedure of hotels is to keep the passports of the visitors during their stay and only return it upon check out. However, make sure you always have a copy of your passport during your stay.

Laws and Regulations Governing the Goods of Passengers

Arriving Passengers

According to Article 138 of Executive Bylaw of Customs Law, arriving passengers, either Iranian or non-Iranian, are authorized to carry their personal things, new goods of no more than 80 dollars in value (annual) would be exempted from customs due. The goods must not be unlawful and must not contradict with the moral and state values of the country.

Personal things of passengers are utterly exempted from customs dues and business profit providing that they are not for commercial use. Bulky items such as fridge, washing machine, Television set and so are not in the exemption list.

It is permissible to import physically all bank documents (such as checks, certified checks, travel check and other forms of financial transferable documents) as well as non-registered securities such as bonds up to 10,000 euros or its equivalent in other currencies. This importation does not require reporting to customs administration. However, if the value is higher than the above-said figure, importer must report to customs administration and must obtain permission from Bank.
It is permissible to bring personal gold, if they appear reasonably as personal things. However, they must not be over 150 g in weight, otherwise, passenger must obtain prior permission from Central Bank of Iran.
Import of wild animals and birds is subject to presenting certificate from the relevant authorities of the country of origin as well as approval from Department of Environment of the I.R. of Iran.
Import of domestic animals and birds is subject to present health certificate from the relevant authorities of the country of origin, however, importation and exportation of domestic animals and stocks is subject to approval of Iranian Veterinary Organization and fulfillment of the requirements of legal rules and regulations (animal quarantine).
Import of remote controlling flying objects (helicopters, quadcopters,) is subject to get legal permission. Departing travelers in case of carrying these items must inform the customs.
Medications or any food supplement can be imported, legal permissions such as permission of Ministry of Health etc., must be obtained and importation dues and any legal charges must be paid.
Each passenger is authorized to bring along one box of cigarette containing 200 ordinary cigarettes or 50 cheroot This figure for tobacco is 250 g for each passenger.
Importation of wireless telephone and that sort of products which fall within telecommunications technology is allowed subject to permission of Ministry of Information Technology and Communications.
Importation and discharging of plants of every sort and seeds is pending on permit of plant quarantine unit.
Import and release of live fish is subject to permit of Ministry of Agricultural Jihad.

Goods of Iranian Nationals Residing Abroad Who Are Leaving Their Residence and entering the country

Home furniture and appliances of Iranians residing abroad for any purpose (personal, political etc.) whose residence was not longer than one year or more, and similarly the home furniture and appliances belonging to foreign nationals arriving in Iran for residence, provide that:

passenger's objects and things be picked from the country of residence and be carried to customs within no less than one month until no later than nine months.
They must reasonably be for personal use and no commercial purposes.
They must have not used exemption for such things within the recent five years.
Governmental agents and officers who have been abroad on mission for one year of more are not required to have been abroad for one year, if their mission terminates before one year. Automobiles are not subject to this rule.

Outgoing Passengers

Departing passengers, either Iranian or non-Iranian, are authorized to take abroad Iranian products for any amount they wish and non-Iranian products for the amount that has been determined by law, provided that the products, whether Iranian or Non-Iranian, are not business commodities. This is in addition to their personal things that can take with themselves.

Personal Things

By virtue of article 135 of executive bylaw of customs law: "personal thing" has been defined as any used or unused thing that a passenger may reasonably have during a travel for personal use. Such personal things are exempted, but business commodities are not exempted. This is customs authorities who determine whether it is a personal thing or a business commodity.

Regulations Governing outgoing Passengers Goods

It is lawful to take 125g caviar if it is sealed by fishery authorities.
Passengers can take no more than five thousand euros of foreign currency (or its equivalent in other currencies), bank papers and not-registered securities. Otherwise, they must inform customs officers and present bank permit.
Each passenger is allowed to take different kinds of nuts out of the country provided that the amounts shouldn't be considered as commercial.10 kg nuts and 100 g saffron per traveler.
Each passenger is allowed to take up to 20 square meters of hand-woven carpet out of the country and there is no limit for the numbers of carpets. Passenger may use land, sea or air borders. However, it is unlawful to take abroad the exceptional carpets with national and historical values.
Passengers are allowed to take aboard 150 g gold as personal thing and 3kg silver products and vessels as gift or souvenir providing that they are not of exceptional national and historical value.
No gold coin is allowed to be taken abroad.
It is unlawful to take abroad antiques, original artistic works, manuscripts and lithography books, calligraphy works, miniature works, precious coins and anything with exceptional value historically or nationally.
No military ammunitions are allowed to be taken abroad.

Prohibited & Restricted Goods

(According to Article 40 of Customs Act)

Certain goods are prohibited (banned) or restricted (subject to certain conditions) for import and/or export. in accordance with the laws of the I.R. IRAN.

Alcoholic beverages.
Cold weapons and firearms and explosives subject to the permission of Ministry of Defense.
Gambling objects.
Magazines, videos, films, pictures and any sort of other products which violate Islamic and Iranian values.
Any writing and papers which contain anti-religion contents or writing that is in contravention to public order and national security and ethics.
Narcotic Drugs.
Antiquities and all items having cultural heritage
Drones, permission from the relevant authorities is needed.
Import and release of telecommunication goods such as wireless phones is subject to presenting Telecommunication and IT Ministry's permit.
Aerial photography and filming tools.
Banknotes of foreign currency which are out of circulation in the country of origin.
Lottery tickets.
Import of domestic animals and birds is subject to present health certificate from the relevant authorities of the country of origin, however, importation and exportation of domestic animals and stocks is subject to approval of Iranian Veterinary Organization and fulfillment of the requirements of legal rules and regulations.
Import and export of wild animals and birds is subject to presenting certificate of Department of Environment of the I.R. of Iran.
Import and release of plants (twig, shrub, flower, …) and seeds is subject to present permit of plant quarantine.
Import and release of live fish is subject to permit of Ministry of Agricultural Jihad.
foreign tourists, in addition to their personal and exempted goods, are allowed to transport following objects if not for commercial purpose: for profit, gain or commercial usage, these items will be declared in the leaflet of “Items Accompanying Tourist”:

Tourists can carry: personal jewelry, one camera, one non-professional video or filming camera, one binocular, one portable musical instrument, one portable radio or record/ player, one laptop, first aid kit, camping tent, sport /fishing tools, boat not exceeding the 5/5-meter, snow and water-skiing tools, tennis racket and so.

Temporary entrance of automobile for passengers

Carnet de Passages

Tourists, foreign passengers or Iranians residing abroad at least for one year, the last six months uninterrupted can import their motor vehicles while travelling to Iran provided that they obtain passing permit from touring clubs or national Automobile Association of the origin country which is called Carnet de Passage or triptyque or booklet.

Passengers mentioned above can use their automobile inside Iran at most for 3 months, depending the visa period and it is possible for them to exit and enter the country via allowed borders several times. Extending the period depends on the prior agreement of Iranian customs (the office of import).

No deposit fee or guarantee is needed in the customs border if you have the carne de passages.

Travelers may obtain carne de passage at the border, but due to long administrative procedure for issuing the carne, it is not recommended.

After entering the border, the automobile needs to be plated, do it in the first plating center.

Required document: A Carnet de passages booklet, valid for Iran.

Temporary exit of automobile for passengers

Applicants may refer to customs in the provinces or Tehran south customs.

Required documents:

Original and one copy of Vehicle ownership document
The vehicle must be present in the customs
The owner of the vehicle or the legal agent must be present physically in customs
Police ID card of the vehicle (original and one copy)
ID card of the vehicle (original and two copies)
Vehicle owner’s passport or shenasnameh (original and two copies)

Note: Vehicles older than 20 years of age are subjected to get permission from Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts.

The validity of the permission document to exit the vehicle is three months up to one year.

After returning inside the country this permission must be void in customs. If the vehicle does not enter in the country during the permitted time period it will be subjected to payment and legal prosecution.

For more detail information, please refer to:

R. of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) website:

https://www.irica.gov.ir/web_directory/54999-Traveler-Information.html( English)

https://www.irica.gov.ir/web_directory/54952- اطلاعات-مسافری. html (Farsi)

Imam Khomeini Airport City website:

https://www.ikac.ir/en/Customs-commodity-regulations (English)

https://www.ikac.ir/en/guidance (English)

https://www.ikac.ir/customs-commodity-regulations (Farsi)

https://www.ikac.ir/guidance (Farsi)

Nurduz (I.R. of Iran land border) checkpoint crossing travelers

According to the information from Aras Free Zone /Iranian Jolfa customs administration:

Import of following goods to Islamic Republic of Iran is prohibited

- Domestic animals, livestock, processed meat products such as ham, sausage etc.

- Alcoholic beverages and their empty bottles, chocolates with liquor/alcohol, filling, offenders are subject to prosecution.

- Any type of CDs, Films, books, scripts, press, booklets for purposes of propaganda and gambling objects

- Hygienic products and cosmetics

- Medications without the prescription of physician (the prescription must be in Farsi translation)

- Cold weapons and firearms

- Home appliances such as fridge, TV set, washing machine etc.

Import of following medications to the Republic of Armenia is prohibited, offenders are punishable.

Travelers are requested to avoid transporting this medication even for personal use:

ACETAMINOPHEN CODEINE (narcotic)
CHLORDIAZPOXIDE (psychedelic drug)
DIPHENOXYLATE (narcotic)
CLONAZEPAM (narcotic)
COLDAX (containing pseudoephedrine)
BENSECAL (containing pseudoephedrine)
SUDAFED (containing pseudoephedrine)
COLD STOP (containing pseudoephedrine)
T-DOL 100 (containing tramadol)
RAY-DOL 100 (containing tramadol)
A-FERIN (containing codeine)
SUDA COLD (containing pseudoephedrine)

Import of following goods to the R. of Armenia is prohibited

Meat, poultry, egg, bread, lavash, tea, rice, lentils, Macaroni/spaghetti, oil, butter, cheese, car oil, tires, scarf, headscarf, shampoo, washing powder, dishwashing liquid, toilet paper․

What do you need to know when entering Armenia?

The following goods for personal use (based on one person) are allowed to be imported by air into the customs territory of the EAEU without paying customs duties and taxes:

Goods transported in accompanied and unaccompanied luggage (with the exception of ethyl alcohol, alcoholic beverages, beer), the cost of which does not exceed 10.000 EUR, and weight does not exceed 50 kg including tobacco and tobacco products with the following quantities:

200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars (cigarilla)
or 250 grams of cigarettes
or an assortment of the mentioned products with a total weight of not more than 250 grams

Alcoholic beverages and beer imported in accompanied and unaccompanied luggage - 3 liters. Care should be taken on the fact that when importing more than 3 liters, but not more than 5 liters of alcoholic beverages and beer, in terms of exceeding 3 liters of the quantitative norm, customs duties and taxes levied at a single rate of 10 EUR per 1 liter are subject to payment.

Important: Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products can be transported only by people over 18 years old.

Transferring cash and monetary instruments

Cash and traveler's checks are subject to declaration, if during one-time import into the customs territory of the EAEU or one-time export from the customs territory of the EAEU, their total amount exceeds the amount of 10.000 US dollars at the exchange rate effective on the day of submission of the passenger customs declaration to the customs authority.

Monetary instruments, with the exception of traveler's checks, are subject to customs declaration regardless of the transferring value.

Cash and monetary instruments, regardless of value and weight, are transferred without paying customs duties and taxes.

Attention

During the one-time transferring of cash and monetary instruments exceeding the amount equivalent to 100.000 US dollars at the exchange rate effective on the day of submission of the passenger customs declaration to the customs authority, simultaneously with the submission of the passenger customs declaration, an individual must submit documents confirming the origin of these funds.

For more information, please refer to:

Zvartnots Yerevan Airport website

https://www.zvartnots.aero/EN/FAQ

MFA RA
official website

Dual citizenship

Electronic visa

Visa applications