• 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 Rice

  • Home
  • Customs Clearance of Rice
Rice customs clearance | Saba Tarkhis

Rice Customs Clearance

Rice customs clearance is one of the vital processes in international trade and the food supply chain, especially in countries such as Iran where a large share of consumed rice is supplied through imports. Given the high domestic demand for rice, importing it requires full awareness of customs laws, regulations, and complex procedures so that the import process is carried out efficiently and without issues.

Contact Saba Tarkhis experts for estimating the time and cost of rice clearance.

Instant free consultation
Customs clearance by Saba Tarkhis

1) Key steps and points in rice clearance

Placing an order in the Comprehensive Trade System and NIMA
Placing an order in the Comprehensive Trade System and NIMA: all importers are required to register their order in the Comprehensive Trade System before any import. This system is an integrated platform to strictly control and supervise the import of strategic goods such as rice. In addition, importers must use the NIMA system to provide the foreign currency needed. As a currency management system, NIMA ensures that the currency required for rice imports is allocated at the approved rate. Failure to register the order and use official currency channels may lead to heavy penalties and delays in clearance.
Obtaining permits from supervisory bodies
Obtaining permits from supervisory bodies: importing rice requires several permits from different authorities, detailed below:
Ministry of Agriculture Jihad
Ministry of Agriculture Jihad: by issuing import permits for rice, this ministry manages and controls import volumes to support domestic production. Obtaining this permit before any import is mandatory. The ministry is also sensitive about the timing of imports, especially during the domestic harvest season, and may impose restrictions.
Institute of Standards & Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI)
ISIRI: rice imports must comply with national standards. Imported rice undergoes physical and chemical tests for quality and hygiene to ensure the product meets defined standards. If the rice does not conform to standards, its import may be disallowed or face delays.
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Health: as a sensitive food commodity, rice requires a health certificate from the Ministry of Health. This certificate ensures that the imported product has no public health or food safety issues. Any deficiency in health tests may lead to import bans or return of goods.

2) Customs tariff and HS codes

Rice is classified under tariff heading 1006. This universal heading applies to all rice types including white, parboiled, brown and others. The customs tariff for each rice type varies depending on quality, origin and type, and in general these tariffs are designed to control import volumes and support domestic production. Importers must carefully identify the rice type and its relevant code to avoid mistakes when importing and paying customs tariffs.

Description HS Code (sample)
Rice in the husk (paddy) 1006.10
Husked (brown) rice 1006.20
Semi-milled or wholly milled (polished) rice 1006.30
Broken rice 1006.40

The exact subheading depends on form of presentation, percentage of broken grains, processing (parboiled/brown/white) and current regulations.

3) Value-added tax and customs duties

Rice imports are subject to VAT and customs duties. These taxes are calculated as a certain percentage of the customs value of the goods. Rates may change annually according to economic policies. Governments usually set higher tariffs on foreign rice imports to support domestic farmers. Importers should note that timely payment of these taxes and duties is crucial so the clearance process proceeds smoothly.

4) Transport documents and commercial papers

Providing accurate and complete transport documentation at the time of rice clearance is essential. These documents include the bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and other transport-related papers. The documents must be filled out carefully to ensure full consistency of shipment information with the data registered in the customs system. Any deficiency or discrepancy can cause delays in the clearance process.

Need an exact HS Code and an estimate of import duties? Our team manages the case end-to-end.

Submit proforma request

5) Special conditions for rice import and export

Rice is one of the world’s strategic, highly-consumed commodities and always plays a vital role in countries’ food security. Due to its large population and limited domestic production, Iran is one of the world’s biggest rice importers. Given rice’s importance in Iranians’ food basket and the large consumer market, this product is imported from various countries including India, Pakistan and Thailand.
Rice imports to Iran
As one of the largest rice importers in the region and the world, Iran annually imports about 1 to 1.5 million tons of rice, supplying a major part of domestic demand. Main rice exporters to Iran include:
  • India: the largest exporter of rice to Iran. Both Basmati and non-Basmati Indian rice are very popular in Iran’s market and cover nearly half of import volume.
  • Pakistan: Pakistani rice, especially Basmati, has a special position in Iran’s market and is well known for household consumption.
  • Thailand: Thai rice also accounts for a significant share of Iran’s imports thanks to its high quality and reasonable price.
Imports increase when domestic production declines or the consumer market needs support. Seasonal restrictions are also applied during certain periods such as the domestic harvest season to protect local farmers and balance the market.
Export of Iranian rice
Iranian rice is known in global markets for its unique aroma and taste and is exported to countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan and some Gulf countries. The high quality of varieties like Tarom and Hashemi drives demand. However, export volumes are lower than imports because most domestic production is consumed at home.

Import and export volume

According to trade statistics, Iran annually imports about 1 to 1.5 million tons of rice. Despite high demand in neighboring countries, exports are limited due to domestic needs and are estimated at 50 to 100 thousand tons on average.

6) Global circulation of rice

Rice is one of the most consumed agricultural products worldwide. Over 500 million tons of rice are produced annually, most of which are produced and exported in East and South Asia (China, India, Vietnam, Pakistan and Thailand).

7) Major exporters and importers worldwide

Major exporters worldwide

  • India: over 12 million tons per year.
  • Thailand: about 8 to 10 million tons.
  • Vietnam: about 6 million tons.
  • Pakistan: over 4 million tons.

Major importers worldwide

  • China
  • Iran
  • Philippines
  • Saudi Arabia
Customs clearance by Saba Tarkhis

8) Required documents for rice clearance

Rice clearance from customs requires a set of essential documents, each playing an important role in facilitating and expediting the process.

  • Order registration document: must be registered in the Comprehensive Trade System and include product type, quantity, price and source of supply.
  • Health certificate: issued by the Ministry of Health to confirm consumer safety.
  • Standards certificate: issued by ISIRI to confirm quality and hygiene compliance.
  • Import permit: from the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad to control import volumes and support domestic production.
  • Commercial invoice: including seller and buyer details, quantity, type, unit and total price; basis for calculating duties and charges.
  • Bill of lading: including transport details and conditions; one of the primary documents for clearance.
  • Packing list: number of packages, net and gross weight, and package dimensions.
  • Certificate of origin: issued by the Chamber of Commerce to determine origin and apply tariffs.
  • Insurance documents: if the shipment is insured.
  • Tax documents: evidence of VAT and customs duties payment where required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is rice’s HS Code and how do subheadings differ?

Chapter 1006 covers rice; common subheadings include 1006.10 (in the husk), 1006.20 (brown), 1006.30 (white/polished) and 1006.40 (broken). The exact line depends on form of presentation and percentage of broken grains.

What permits are required to import rice?

An import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad (to control volumes), ISIRI approvals (quality/hygiene), and Ministry of Health certificates. Other permits may be required depending on conditions.

Is registration in the NIMA system mandatory?

Yes. Foreign currency for rice imports is provided through NIMA, and non-compliance can lead to delays and penalties.

What is Iran’s annual rice import volume?

About 1 to 1.5 million tons per year; exports are estimated at 50 to 100 thousand tons on average.

Are there seasonal restrictions on rice imports?

Yes. Restrictions are usually applied during the domestic harvest season to support farmers.

Media Suggestions

  • Image file name: rice-customs-clearance-iran.jpg
  • Alt Text: Rice customs clearance in Iran | HS 1006
  • Caption: «Rice clearance steps: from NIMA and order registration to health and standards permits»
  • Infographic: «Checklist of documents and common HS 1006 subheadings»

Suggested Links

Summary & Call to Action

Due to the sensitivity of the domestic market and the diversity of tariff subheadings, rice clearance requires precise document management, correct HS Code determination and obtaining legal permits. Saba Tarkhis stands by you from order registration to final clearance.

Request expert consultation Get a clearance proforma

Special tea clearance services by Saba agency

Rice clearance is one of the most sensitive customs processes which, due to specific laws and regulations in Iran, requires high precision and expertise. Rice import includes steps such as obtaining health, standards and other relevant permits. Working with a professional, experienced broker reduces many challenges.

    • Specialized consulting on rice imports: advice on tariffs, permits and incidental costs for more accurate planning.
    • Preparing and completing documents: drafting pro forma, certificate of origin, sales invoice, transport documents, and health & standards certificates.
    • Obtaining health and standards permits: fast follow-ups with ISIRI and the Ministry of Health.
    • Customs formalities and final clearance: valuation, tariff calculation, payment of charges, and expediting cargo release.
    • Transportation and delivery: cooperation with reputable companies for safe and fast delivery.
    • Quality and standards supervision: ensuring imported rice meets national and international standards.

Ultimately, with extensive experience in clearing food products, we assure importers that all clearance stages will be completed fully and without any issues or delays.
For more information, please contact our experts.

Back to list

Powered by