• Head Office: Unit 502, 5th floor, No. 222, Kashani Ave, Tehran
  • Working Hours: Sat to wed, 8.30 AM - 5 PM (Tehran Time)
  • Phone

    +989121536145

Contact Us

Customs Clearance of Milk Powder

  • Home
  • Customs Clearance of Milk Powder
Milk Powder Customs Clearance | HS Code, Documents, and Permits

Milk Powder Customs Clearance in Iran (HS Code + Documents and Permits)

Milk powder customs clearance is a complex and sensitive process that requires accuracy and adherence to all customs and sanitary regulations. This widely used product—applied in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, hygiene, and even infant nutrition—due to its high sanitary sensitivities and the need for guaranteed quality, requires specialized knowledge and full compliance with customs laws for importation.

For estimating the time and cost of milk powder clearance, contact the Saba Tarkhis experts.

Instant Free Consultation

1) Customs Tariff and HS Code for Milk Powder

Milk powder is one of the strategic products in the dairy category. Depending on the product type (skimmed or full cream), different customs tariffs and HS codes apply. In general, skimmed milk powder is classified under HS code 040210 and full cream milk powder (with fat) under HS code 040221. Correct HS code selection is critical for completing the customs declaration. If an incorrect code is used, it can lead to clearance delays and even heavy financial penalties.
Customs tariffs may also vary depending on the product’s country of origin and existing trade agreements between Iran and the exporting country. For example, countries that have trade agreements with Iran may benefit from preferential tariffs. These differences can help reduce import costs. Consequently, it is recommended that importers obtain accurate tariff information and potential preferential benefits in advance through customs consultants or experienced experts before taking any steps toward importation.
Product Short Description HS Code
Skimmed Milk Powder Skimmed milk powder (Fat 0%) 040210
Full Cream Milk Powder (with fat) Full cream milk powder 040221

Exact classification can vary depending on fat percentage, formulation, origin, and preferential agreements.

2) Special Conditions for Import and Export of Milk Powder

Due to sanitary, nutritional, and storage sensitivities, milk powder requires strict compliance with rigorous standards. Some of the most important conditions for importing and exporting milk powder include:

Compliance with international sanitary standards

All milk powder products must be produced and packaged in accordance with international sanitary and quality standards such as ISO, HACCP, and other recognized food standards. Compliance is highly important, as any nonconformity with these requirements can result in shipment rejection and heavy financial losses for importers.

Quality testing

After milk powder consignments enter the country, they must undergo quality and sanitary testing. These tests are typically conducted by the Food and Drug Organization and other supervisory bodies to ensure that the consignment meets national and international sanitary and quality standards.

Storage conditions during transportation

Milk powder is sensitive to storage conditions and, during transport and warehousing, appropriate temperatures must be maintained to prevent spoilage and quality degradation. In this regard, the use of suitable containers with temperature control capability (maintaining the cold chain) is essential.

Expiry date

One of the key requirements for importing milk powder is having a valid expiry date. All milk powder consignments must be checked for expiry prior to customs entry, and consignments that are close to expiry are commonly prevented from clearance.

3) Volume of Milk Powder Imports and Exports to Iran

In recent years, milk powder imports to Iran have increased due to rising demand and decreased domestic production. Iran imports millions of tons of milk powder annually from various countries to meet domestic market demand. Part of these imports are used for producing food products such as milk powders and ready-to-consume items, and another part is imported for direct consumer consumption.
On the other hand, Iran is also active in exporting milk powder to neighboring and regional countries due to the high quality of domestically produced products. Countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf states are among the main destinations for Iranian milk powder exports.

4) Global Circulation of Milk Powder Trade

The global circulation of milk powder trade is very large. Millions of tons of milk powder are produced and distributed worldwide each year. The main exporting countries include New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, France, and Germany. Thanks to advanced dairy industries and adherence to international standards, these countries supply a large share of the global milk powder market. New Zealand alone is one of the largest exporters of milk powder in the world and exports high volumes to Asia and the Middle East.

5) Milk Powder Exporting and Importing Countries

Globally, the main milk powder exporting countries are:
  • New Zealand: Known as the largest milk powder exporter in the world, exporting large quantities to Asian and Middle Eastern countries.
  • Netherlands: One of the largest producers and exporters of milk powder to the European Union and other countries.
  • Ireland: With a powerful dairy industry, it exports substantial quantities of milk powder to other countries.
  • Germany and France: These two European countries also hold a special position in milk powder production and exports.
On the other hand, the main importing countries include China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Due to high domestic demand and the need to supply milk powder for producing food products and for direct consumption, these countries are considered major importers.

6) Required Documents for Milk Powder Clearance

Due to sensitivities related to quality and hygiene, clearing milk powder from customs requires multiple documents. These documents help customs ensure that the imported consignment complies with laws and regulations relating to food products.
  1. 1. Commercial Invoice
    The commercial invoice is one of the most important documents to be submitted during clearance. It includes complete information about the goods, such as milk powder type, weight, quantity, and price. The buyer and seller names and addresses, payment terms, and mode of transport are also stated. The commercial invoice is used as the primary document for customs valuation and duty calculation. Any error in this document can lead to clearance delays.
  2. 2. Packing List
    The packing list details the packaging information. It specifies the number of packages, net and gross weight of each package, dimensions, and packaging type (box, bag, etc.). This information helps customs match the physical inspection with the declared information and identify any discrepancies.
  3. 3. Bill of Lading
    Issued by the carrier, the bill of lading covers transport information. It includes origin and destination, carrier name, mode of transport (sea, air, road), and cargo details. The bill of lading is recognized as the document of title and is essential for customs clearance. It also provides precise details on timing and transport conditions.
  4. 4. Health Certificate
    As a sensitive food product, milk powder requires a health certificate issued by health authorities in the exporting country. This certificate indicates the product’s safety and quality and confirms compliance with relevant sanitary standards. Submission of this certificate is mandatory for importing food products like milk powder; without it, the consignment may be seized or prevented from clearance.
  5. 5. Certificate of Origin
    This document shows in which country the milk powder was produced. Issued by the chamber of commerce of the producing country, it is vital for determining customs tariffs and benefiting from tariff reductions under trade agreements. It helps customs apply tariff rules correctly based on origin.
  6. 6. Import Permit from the Food and Drug Organization
    For importing milk powder to Iran, one of the main requirements is obtaining a permit from the Food and Drug Organization. Due to sanitary sensitivities and quality control, this permit is essential and must be obtained before the goods enter the country. Products like milk powder that are directly used for human consumption require this permit, and clearance is not possible without it.
  7. 7. Standard Certificates (ISO or HACCP)
    As a product used in the production and supply of food and pharmaceutical items, milk powder must be produced and packaged in accordance with international standards such as ISO or HACCP. These certificates ensure that the production process is under appropriate sanitary and quality oversight and that the final product is free from contamination or sanitary issues. Some countries place strong emphasis on presenting these certificates for importing food products.
  8. 8. Other related documents (if required)
    Depending on the consignment type and import conditions, other documents may also be required. These can include certificates of sanitary and quality tests, cargo insurance, and documents related to international transport. If the milk powder consignment is insured, providing the insurance policy is also considered a necessary document for clearance.

Need accurate HS codes, testing, and sanitary permits? Our team manages the dossier end-to-end.

Submit a Pro Forma Request

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HS Code for milk powder?

As per your text: skimmed milk powder under 040210 and full cream milk powder under 040221; correct selection is vital for the declaration.

What permits are required to import milk powder?

A permit from the Food and Drug Organization, along with documents such as the invoice, packing list, bill of lading, health certificate, certificate of origin, and where needed standard certificates (ISO/HACCP) and cargo insurance.

What are the key considerations for transporting and storing milk powder?

Maintaining proper temperature, using temperature-controlled containers (cold chain), and paying attention to expiry dates to prevent quality loss and shipment rejection.

Multimedia Suggestions

  • Image file name: customs-clearance-milk-powder-hs0402.jpg
  • Alt Text: Milk powder customs clearance in Iran | HS 040210 and 040221
  • Caption: «Milk powder clearance steps: from sanitary permits to customs declaration»
  • Infographic: «Checklist of documents for milk powder clearance + transport temperature control»

Suggested Links

Summary and Call to Action

Given the sanitary and standard sensitivities, clearing milk powder requires precise permits, complete documentation, and quality control. With hands-on experience, Saba Tarkhis advances your process quickly and in full compliance.

Request Expert Consultation Get a Clearance Pro Forma

Specialized Customs Services by Saba Brokerage

As one of the most experienced and prominent customs brokerages in Iran, Saba Brokerage offers special services for clearing sensitive goods such as milk powder. These services include:

Pre-import specialized consulting: Our professional experts provide precise and specialized consulting to help importers choose the right customs tariffs and required documents, preventing potential problems and extra costs during import and clearance. This consulting covers the process from start to finish.

Accurate preparation and compilation of documents: All documents required for milk powder clearance are prepared and compiled by our team with full accuracy and in accordance with international standards and Iran’s customs regulations. This accuracy ensures the clearance process proceeds without any delay.

Obtaining necessary permits: Given the sensitivities of importing milk powder, sanitary permits from the Food and Drug Organization are essential. Our team obtains all required permits swiftly and in the shortest possible time to prevent any clearance delays.

Rapid, real-time follow-up: A key advantage of our services is real-time follow-up and precise client updates. Importers can access up-to-the-minute status on their clearances to identify and resolve any issues promptly.

Time and cost savings: By leveraging our specialized services, importers can reduce time and extra costs during clearance. Our experienced, professional team ensures goods are cleared as quickly as possible with minimal costs.

Using these services assures importers that the milk powder clearance process is performed completely and optimally, with confidence in the safety and quality of their goods.

Back to List

Powered by