.png)
Clearance of Soft Drinks and Fruit Juices from Iranian Customs (HS Codes + Documents & Permits)
Clearing beverages, including soft drinks and fruit juices, from Iranian customs is one of the key and complex stages in the supply chain of these products and is highly important for their successful entry into the domestic market. Due to the high sensitivity of food and beverages—including soft drinks and juices—the clearance process requires special care and expertise.
To estimate the time and cost of clearing soft drinks and fruit juices, contact the Saba Tarkhis experts.
Instant Free Consultation1) Types of Soft Drinks and Fruit Juices
Soft drinks, as one of the most consumed beverages, contain carbonates and sweeteners and are divided into carbonated and non-carbonated drinks. Carbonated soft drinks include colas, lemon-lime, and other fruit flavors. These products have high market demand due to their distinctive and varied tastes.
Fruit juices are divided into natural and industrial (processed). Natural juices include extracts of fresh fruits without added artificial substances, while industrial juices are produced by combining natural fruit juice with additives. Owing to their nutritional value and health benefits, these products are highly popular, especially among consumers seeking a healthy lifestyle.
2) Key Points in Clearing Beverages from Customs
For importing soft drinks and fruit juices into Iran, knowledge of customs regulations and strict compliance is essential. The most important points in this process include the following:
3) Customs Tariffs and HS Codes
Customs tariffs and tariff codes (HS Codes) are key factors in the import and export process of goods—especially beverages such as soft drinks and fruit juices. These codes are used not only to classify goods but also to determine tariff rates and apply relevant regulations. Below is a more precise and technical explanation of this topic.
Tariffs and HS Codes for Soft Drinks
Due to product variety and composition, soft drinks fall under different tariff headings. The HS Code typically applied to carbonated soft drinks and similar products is 2202.10. This code covers carbonated beverages usually containing carbonates, sweeteners, and flavorings.
Factors affecting soft drink tariffs:
- Type of sweetener: Drinks containing sugar, artificial, or natural sweeteners may fall under different tariff treatments due to differing health and economic impacts.
- Sugar-free or low-calorie drinks: Products made with low-calorie or sugar-free sweeteners may be classified differently.
- Energy drinks: This category, containing stimulants like caffeine and taurine, may fall under different codes than regular soft drinks.
- Cola drinks: Because they contain specific substances such as caffeine and botanical extracts, they may be subject to different customs duties.
Tariffs and HS Codes for Fruit Juices
Fruit juices are classified under different codes based on fruit type, juice-content percentage, and added ingredients. Generally, fruit juices are identified by HS code 2009.89. This code covers various juices offered pure or mixed; however, purity percentage and processing directly affect the exact code and duty rate.
Factors affecting juice tariffs:
- Juice purity percentage: 100% juices generally face higher tariffs than juices diluted with water or sugar.
- Fruit type: Juices made from rare/imported fruits (e.g., mango or tropical fruits) may face higher duties than common ones like orange or apple.
- Mixed juices: Products combining several fruits may fall under different duties depending on composition and ratios.
- Concentrated juices: Juices imported as concentrate for later dilution typically have different duty treatment than ready-to-drink juices.
Impact of Customs Tariffs on Import/Export Costs
The customs tariffs set for soft drinks and fruit juices directly affect their import and export costs. Choosing the correct HS code is crucial because:
- Duty increases/decreases: Duty may vary by product type and country of origin, which directly impacts final import/export costs.
- Market competitiveness: Lower tariffs may improve competitiveness domestically or abroad, while higher tariffs can reduce profitability.
- Pricing impact: Customs costs form part of total cost and influence final market pricing, affecting strategic decisions on pricing and target markets.
| Goods | Short Description | HS Code |
|---|---|---|
| Carbonated soft drinks | Containing carbonate and flavorings | 2202.10 |
| Fruit juices (other) | Pure or mixed, juice-based | 2009.89 |
* The exact subheading may vary depending on fruit type, purity percentage, formulation, and processing.
4) Required Documents
Providing documents on origin of goods, purchase invoice, health certificate, and in some cases quality and safety certificates is mandatory for clearing these products.
Obtaining the relevant permits from the Food and Drug Organization is also essential. These permits confirm that imported products comply with Iran’s national health and quality standards.
5) Import Conditions
Soft drinks and fruit juices must comply with national standards. For imported products, quality and health tests are mandatory before market entry. These tests confirm purity, composition, and additive levels.
6) Order Registration and Obtaining Necessary Permits
Importers must register orders in the Comprehensive Trade System and obtain required permits from relevant organizations before goods enter the country. This process helps reduce issues and delays in clearance.
7) Special Conditions for Importing & Exporting Soft Drinks and Fruit Juices
Importing soft drinks and juices into Iran requires high diligence and sensitivity due to the need to meet health and quality standards. These products must be thoroughly checked for safety, taste, and composition to ensure alignment with national standards. In some cases, imported products may need formulation or packaging adjustments to comply with domestic regulations.
8) Exporting and Importing Countries of Soft Drinks and Fruit Juices
Countries exporting to Iran: The bulk of imports of soft drinks and juices to Iran comes from European countries such as Germany and Italy, as well as Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Thanks to advanced production and packaging technologies and high quality, these countries are the main suppliers to the Iranian market.
Exports from Iran: Iran, as a major producer of soft drinks and juices in the region, exports its products to neighboring countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf states. Due to reasonable prices and acceptable quality, Iranian products are welcomed in these countries.
9) Import and Export Volumes of Soft Drinks and Fruit Juices
Iran is one of the major markets for importing soft drinks and juices, but domestic production is also increasing and capturing part of the export market. Import and export volumes fluctuate due to market volatility and changes in demand; however, overall, Iran still requires imports of these products, especially from advanced countries.
Need precise HS Codes and permit consulting? Our team manages your file end-to-end.
Submit Proforma RequestFrequently Asked Questions
What are the HS Codes for soft drinks and fruit juice?
For carbonated soft drinks, typically 2202.10, and for fruit juices (other), typically 2009.89; the final subheading depends on formulation and purity.
What documents are required for clearance?
Origin of goods, invoice, health certificate, quality certificates (if needed), and the Food & Drug Organization permit. Quality and health tests are also mandatory.
How does order registration in the Comprehensive Trade System help?
It stabilizes the process, secures required permits, reduces clearance delays, and facilitates document compliance with regulations.
Are formulation or packaging adjustments required?
Yes; in some cases, to comply with Iranian national standards, formulation or packaging adjustments before market entry are mandatory.
Media Suggestions
- Image file name:
clearance-soft-drinks-juice-iran.jpg - Alt Text: Clearance of soft drinks and fruit juice from Iranian customs HS 2202 & 2009
- Caption: “Steps to clear soft drinks and juice: from order registration to health permits”
- Infographic: “Checklist of documents and quality tests by the Food & Drug Organization for beverages”
Suggested Links
Summary and Call to Action
Clearing beverages (soft drinks and fruit juices) requires precise document planning and obtaining health permits due to health and standard sensitivities. Saba Tarkhis uses practical experience to carry out your process quickly and in compliance with regulations.
Request Expert Consultation Get Clearance ProformaSpecial Customs Clearance Services by Saba Brokerage
As a reputable customs broker, Saba Brokerage offers special services for importing soft drinks and fruit juices. These services focus on specialized consulting, order registration, obtaining required permits, and comprehensive document management so the import process for these products finishes quickly and without issues.
Specialized beverage clearance services:
- Specialized and strategic consulting: Our experienced experts help you choose optimal import and clearance paths for soft drinks and juices, including detailed tariff review, document preparation, and understanding special import conditions.
- Order registration and obtaining customs permits: All steps are performed precisely and in line with customs regulations to reduce costs and speed up clearance so imported goods reach the market quickly.
- Expedited clearance: Leveraging strong networks with customs bodies and relevant organizations, the clearance process is expedited, reducing storage costs and speeding market access.
- Accurate document management: Proper, precise management of documents is critical. Our professional team prevents potential issues and ensures all documents are submitted on time and without defects.
- Repackaging and formulation adjustment: If re-packaging or formulation changes are required to meet domestic standards, special services are provided so products fully comply with local regulations.
