Customs Clearance of Animal Products: Documents, Permits, Cold-Chain Transport, HS Code, and Market

Customs clearance of animal products is one of the most sensitive areas in the food trade. Due to health risks, halal requirements, cold chain, and veterinary regulations, even the smallest mistake can lead to seizure, spoilage, or financial loss. A precise understanding of HS chapters, veterinary and standards permits, and planning for refrigerated (cold-chain) transport is the key to safe and swift customs passage. Saba Tarkhis is by your side so that from order registration to final delivery, the process is safe, fast, and cost-effective.

1) Detailed Description of the “Animal Products” Group

Live animals, edible meat and offal, dairy products, honey, aquatic products, and related items fall under the umbrella of “animal products.” Their common features are perishability, health sensitivity, and the need for a cold chain. Compliance with halal requirements, quarantine controls, and strict adherence to veterinary laws at all stages (order registration, transport, declaration, inspection, and clearance) is essential. Any discrepancy in temperature, labeling, composition, or the health certificate can lead to seizure or return; therefore, planning refrigerated transport (reefer), fully preparing documents, and accurately determining the HS Code are the key success factors.

2) Types of Products and Uses

• Live animals: for breeding/rituals/reproduction; sensitive to quarantine and animal health.
• Edible meat and offal: fresh/chilled/frozen; household, HORECA, and food industry use.
• Dairy products: skim milk powder, butter, cheese; industry inputs and final consumption.
• Aquatic products and derivatives: frozen fillets, shrimp, canned tuna; protein supply and exports.
• Natural honey: edible and medicinal uses; sensitive to sugar adulteration and HMF index.
• Other animal derivatives: intestines and bones for sausage/gelatin industries, etc.

3) Documents and Standards for Clearing Animal Products

Required Documents and Permits for Clearance

Clearing this product group requires submission of the following set of documents. Absence of any of them can cause delays or halt clearance:

• Veterinary Health Certificate: issued by the competent authority in the country of origin; attesting to the health of the animal/product, absence of quarantine diseases (such as AI, FMD, BSE), and compliance with the importing country’s requirements.
• Animal quarantine permit / permit from the national veterinary organization: on-site and laboratory controls at the border, approval of transport conditions, and compliance with health rules.
• Valid halal certificate: for all edible items of animal origin (especially meat and derivatives). The issuing body must be recognized by Iran/the national standards organization.
• Food & Drug Organization approval (for packaged food items): especially dairy, canned fish/meat, and ready-to-eat foods. Includes label conformity, ingredients, and expiry date.
• Fisheries permit (for aquatic products): specialized coordination for importing various fish, shrimp, canned tuna, etc.
• Transport temperature certificate and data logger: continuous temperature recording during transit (e.g., 0–4°C for chilled and ≤−18°C for frozen) and providing the logger printout/file during inspection.
• Customs declaration: full product specs, net/gross weight, value, exact HS tariff line, and country of origin.
• Certificate of Origin (CO): for tariff determination and origin rules under tariff preferences (if any).
• Commercial Invoice: unit price details, total value, payment terms, and Incoterms.
• Packing List: packaging type, number of cartons/pallets, weights, and dimensions.
• Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB): proof of lawful loading and transport route.
• Cargo insurance: coverage for perishability risk, temperature fluctuations, cold-chain failure, and potential damages.
• Order registration confirmation: order registration in relevant systems and obtaining the import permit.
• Specific certificates (as needed): such as CITES for certain wildlife-origin items, or “BSE-free guarantee” for ruminants.

Note: Importing any pork products and their derivatives is prohibited in Iran. Pay close attention to legal consequences and destruction procedures.

4) Customs Tariffs and HS Codes (Common Examples)

(Codes are sampled up to 8 digits; depending on product specifics, subheadings may differ.)

Practical advice: determine the exact HS based on composition, condition (fresh/chilled/frozen/cooked), cut (with/without bone), and type of packaging; incorrect tariff classification is the most common source of disputes and fines.

5) Special Conditions for Import/Export, Transport, and Scheduling

• Reefer units with continuous temperature logging and alarms; typically 0–4°C for chilled meat and ≤−18°C for frozen.
• Hygiene and segregation (raw vs. ready-to-eat), no cross-contact, palletization, and impermeable packaging.
• HACCP/ISO 22000 standards across the supply chain and third-party inspection reports.
• Reserve destination/border cold storage in advance to avoid delays and demurrage.
• Coordinate veterinary inspection immediately upon arrival, prepare all documents before vessel/aircraft arrival, and use green/trusted corridors for rapid release of reefer containers.

6) Iran Market: Imports and Exports

Iran’s imports are generally managed based on market regulation, halal requirements, and quarantine controls. Beef and mutton are mainly sourced from Brazil, Uruguay, Pakistan, and India (for buffalo), and poultry from Turkey/some countries in the region. Frozen and canned aquatic products are common from Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Oman. On the export side, Iran is present in farmed shrimp, some dairy products, and canned tuna; destinations are usually regional countries, Russia, and Central Asia. Seasonal rules are fewer than for fruits; however, animal health and halal restrictions are decisive.

7) Trade Volume and Calculation of Import Duties

Import duties and VAT are calculated based on CIF (cost + insurance + freight) and vary by product type, periodic policies, and HS line. The global meat and dairy market is influenced by animal health, halal/kosher standards, food security, and cold chain; animal disease shocks (such as AI) directly impact routes and permits.

8) Global Market: Major Exporters and Importers

Brazil/Argentina/Uruguay dominate in red meat, New Zealand/Europe in dairy, and Thailand/Vietnam in processed aquatic products. Global demand fluctuates with changing protein consumption patterns and health/halal standards.

9) Rapid Clearance Method in Iran + Saba Tarkhis Special Services

1. Pre-check the goods and determine the exact HS Code based on nature/condition/cut/packaging.
2. Order registration and document preparation (health certificate, halal, CO, invoice, packing list, B/L).
3. Plan reefer transport and temperature monitoring (0–4°C chilled / ≤−18°C frozen) with a data logger.
4. Accurate notice and customs declaration + coordination of veterinary inspection and possible sampling.
5. Assessment and payment of duties and taxes based on CIF value.
6. Obtaining final permits (veterinary, fisheries, food & drug/standards) and resolving discrepancies.
7. Final clearance and delivery to destination while maintaining the cold chain, with project-based handling.

Key Tips and Practical Recommendations

• Choose the HS based on nature/condition/packaging to avoid disputes and penalties.
• Monitor the cold chain and data logger from origin to destination.
• Comply with Persian label, dates, and allergy/halal warnings.
• Arrange veterinary inspection immediately after arrival.
• Reserve destination cold storage in advance to avoid demurrage.

Media Suggestions

• Image file name: animal-products-customs-clearance-iran.jpg
• Alt Text: Customs clearance of animal products in Iran with HS codes and cold-chain requirements
• Caption: «Safe pathway for clearing animal products; from quarantine to delivery»
• Infographic: «10-step checklist for animal products clearance + reference temperatures»

Suggested Links

• Saba Tarkhis Customs Clearance Services
• Guide to Choosing HS Code
• Wikipedia, WTO, UN

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