Iran customs rules & duty-free allowances
Iran's customs regime is defined by two hard realities: alcohol is illegal, full stop, and the currency declaration threshold is enforced with zero tolerance. The real trap for first-time visitors is not the green channel but the red one — arriving with undeclared cash above the threshold can mean seizure of the entire amount and a court appearance, not a polite fine. Whether you land at Imam Khomeini, Mashhad, Shiraz, or cross a land border, expect bag checks and strict enforcement.
Duty-free allowances
Prohibited — banned from import
- Alcohol and all alcoholic beverages
- Narcotics and illegal drugs (including cannabis, even for medical use)
- Pork and pork products
- Satellite phones and two-way radios without a permit
- Publications, films, or media deemed contrary to Islamic values
- Drones and remote-controlled aircraft without prior approval
Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration
- Prescription medications (must be declared and accompanied by a doctor's letter)
- Foreign currency over 10,000 USD equivalent (must be declared)
- Gold and precious metals over 150g (must be declared)
- Antiques and cultural artifacts (require an export permit)
- Live animals and plants (require a veterinary or phytosanitary certificate)
Arriving: red vs green channel
After immigration, collect your bags and choose the red or green channel. If you have anything to declare — cash over the threshold, commercial goods, restricted items — go red and fill out the Customs Declaration Form (Form 100). If you have nothing to declare, walk through green; random bag checks are common and officers can ask you to open luggage.
Bringing medication
Bring personal prescription medication in original packaging with a doctor's letter and prescription. Quantities should not exceed a 30-day supply. Codeine, tramadol, and many common Western painkillers and psychiatric drugs are controlled or banned in Iran — check before you fly. Declare all medications at the red channel.
Food, plants & animal products
All food, plant, and animal products must be declared. Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, and meat are prohibited. Processed and packaged foods are generally allowed in small quantities for personal use. Soil and live plants are banned.
Rules worth knowing
Alcohol is completely banned
There is no duty-free allowance for alcohol. Importing any amount is illegal and can lead to arrest, fines, or imprisonment. Do not bring it, even sealed in your luggage.
Currency declaration is mandatory
You must declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding 10,000 USD equivalent. The form is available at the red channel. Failure to declare can result in seizure of the entire amount and legal action.
Dual nationals and Iranian passport holders
If you hold an Iranian passport or are considered an Iranian citizen, different rules apply — including no duty-free allowance on goods. Travel on a foreign passport does not exempt you from this if you are deemed a citizen.
Electronics and gold limits
One laptop, one mobile phone, and one camera per person are duty-free. Gold over 150g must be declared. Bringing multiple items of the same type may be treated as commercial import.