CHECKLIST
Your first China–Iran shipment: the checklist
For a factory or trader shipping this corridor for the first time. This line runs from a consolidation hub in China to the bonded customs warehouse at Tehran — hub-to-customs, not door-to-door.
- Pick the origin hub (Yiwu / Shenzhen / Guangzhou) and the destination customs (Tehran West Customs / Aprin / Mashhad)
- Get the HS codes right; the invoice, packing list and contract must match the goods
- Declare lithium or chemical content in the first line — MSDS plus UN packaging
- Appoint your Iran customs broker before the truck arrives; they clear against the Ghabz-e Anbar in ASYCUDA
- Plan two separate legs: typically within 7 days from the hub to the Wuqia crossing, then currently 21–23 days on to the bonded warehouse — plus the broker's clearance time
- Pick the origin hub (Yiwu / Shenzhen Pinghu / Guangzhou) and the destination customs (Tehran West Customs / Aprin Dry Port / Mashhad Customs)
- Get the HS codes right; item, quantity and value on the invoice, packing list and contract must match the goods
- For cargo with lithium or chemicals, state it in the first line of the enquiry and attach a 16-section MSDS and UN packaging details
- Appoint a licensed Iran customs broker before the truck arrives, so they can clear against the warehouse entry receipt (Ghabz-e Anbar) in ASYCUDA and pay duty
- Plan the transit as two separate legs: the domestic run from the hub to the Wuqia crossing, typically within 7 days, and then currently 21–23 days on a direct truck to the Tehran West Customs bonded warehouse — plus the broker's clearance and collection time
Hub-to-customs, not door
Delivery is to the bonded warehouse. Import duty, clearance and local delivery are the consignee's licensed broker. Write who arranges onward delivery into the contract.
Insurance follows the Incoterm
Whoever bears the risk buys the cover. The overland route does not pass the Strait of Hormuz, so there is no sea war-risk premium. We carry CMR transit insurance to Tehran Customs.
No published rates. To get a quote, send three things: the origin hub; the destination customs (Tehran West Customs / Aprin / Mashhad); and the cargo data — HS code, gross weight in kg, volume in CBM.
FAQ
What do I send for a first quote?
Three things: the origin hub; the destination customs; and the cargo data (HS code, gross weight in kg, volume in CBM). For lithium or chemicals, attach the MSDS.
Do I need an Iran broker before the truck leaves?
Yes. Once the cargo reaches the bonded warehouse and the Ghabz-e Anbar is issued, it has to go straight to the broker; appointing one early avoids delay.
Is it door-to-door?
No. Delivery is to the customs bonded warehouse; the consignee's licensed broker clears the goods and arranges local delivery.
How long from departure to clearance?
The transit is counted in two separate legs: typically within 7 days from the origin hub to the Wuqia crossing, then currently 21 to 23 days on to the Tehran West Customs bonded warehouse on a direct truck, which transloads once, at Bukhara. Clearance time is separate again and depends on document completeness and the broker.
Related: China–Iran TIR documents: CMR, carnet, packing list · Choosing your Iran customs broker · Overland skips Hormuz — what it means for insurance · How to request a China–Iran trucking quote