Customs Clearance of Sand and Gravel in Iran (HS Code + Documents and Permits)

Sand and gravel are vital raw materials for multiple industries—from construction and road building to the production of construction materials and even water filtration. Due to these wide applications, there is stable and high demand for them at both national and international levels. Therefore, customs clearance of sand and gravel requires a specialized and precise approach, compliance with legal requirements and national/international standards, and attention to environmental considerations to ensure smooth entry of goods.

For estimating the time and cost of sand and gravel clearance, contact the experts at Saba Tarkhis.

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1) Diverse Applications of Sand and Gravel

Owing to their unique mechanical and chemical properties, sand and gravel are used across various industries. Key applications include:

Concrete and Cement Production

Sand and gravel are primary components in producing concrete and cement. Particle size grading and chemical composition directly affect the final quality and strength of concrete.

Water Filtration

In water treatment processes, sand and gravel act as natural filters to remove suspended particles and contaminants. Siliceous composition can directly impact filtration efficiency.

Road Construction and Subbase

In road projects, sand and gravel are used as underlying layers. Resistance to compression and abrasion is essential for roads and airport runways.

Block and Precast Production

Sand and gravel are the main materials in producing concrete blocks and cement bricks, and their quality affects the durability of the final product.

2) Key Points for Customs Clearance of Sand and Gravel

To clear these items, compliance with regulations and preparation of the required documents are critical. Important notes:

Obtain legal permits: from the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade and also the Department of Environment as required.
Laboratory testing: confirmation of chemical composition, physical properties, and quality per national/international standards.
Environmental considerations: if extracted from sensitive areas, obtaining related permits is mandatory.
High weight and volume: requires precise planning for transportation and storage with appropriate equipment.

3) Customs Tariffs and HS Code

Accurate HS Code classification is the basis for calculating import duties and enforcing regulations. Depending on type and use, different headings may apply; for example:

HS Code 25051010: Natural siliceous sands—applications in water filtration and chemical industries.
HS Code 25051090: Other sands and gravels—for production of building materials and industrial uses.

Goods	Short Description	HS Code
Natural siliceous sand/gravel	Used for water filtration and industrial purposes	25051010
Other natural sands and gravels	For construction materials and industrial uses	25051090
Pebbles, gravel and crushed stone	Used in road construction/subbase	2517 (example)

Determining the exact heading depends on origin type, grading, siliceous/carbonate purity, end-use, and technical documents.

4) Required Documents for Clearance

Having complete and accurate documentation is the key to successful clearance. The following are provided per your text and common requirements:

Bill of Lading including type/weight/volume/origin/destination; serves as a title document.
Commercial Invoice with price details, sales terms, and parties’ particulars for customs valuation.
Certificate of Origin issued by the chamber of commerce in the country of origin.
Environmental permits if extracted from protected or sensitive areas.
Customs Declaration with type/weight/value and precise HS Code (usually by a broker).
Quality and Standards Certificates to comply with national/international standards (typically by inspection companies).
Transport insurance policy to cover transit risks.
Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade permit as applicable for imports.
Valid trade card for the importer.
Delivery order after paying duties and charges to release the goods.
Proforma Invoice in the initial stages before the final invoice.

5) Order Registration and Obtaining Required Permits

Before goods enter the country, order registration in the Integrated Trade System and obtaining related permits from competent authorities are essential. This reduces potential delays in clearance and facilitates document compliance with regulations.

6) Special Clearance Conditions and Restrictions

Due to significant domestic resources, imports of sand and gravel are restricted or prohibited in some regions. To meet environmental requirements and protect national quarries, special permits are necessary. Moreover, given the high weight and volume, transportation costs are substantial, and imports are usually carried out in large volumes for specific projects.

7) Specific Import and Export Conditions for Sand and Gravel

Owing to abundant natural resources, Iran generally has limited need to import these items; however, for certain projects or specific types, imports are made from regional countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, and Qatar. Conversely, exports to countries like Iraq and Afghanistan and other regional destinations occur due to geographical proximity and material quality.

8) Exporter/Importer Countries and Trade Volumes

Imports of sand and gravel to Iran are limited and mostly for specific industrial projects (your estimate: usually less than 50 thousand tons per year). In contrast, Iran’s exports to neighboring countries are reported in the scale of hundreds of thousands of tons. Globally, the circulation of sand and gravel exceeds 50 billion tons per year, and countries such as China, the United States, India, and several European countries are among the main producers/consumers.

Need an exact HS Code and guidance on environmental permits? Our team manages your case end-to-end.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HS Code for sand and gravel?

For natural siliceous sand/gravel, typically 25051010, and for other types 25051090. Depending on type, grading, and use, other headings such as 2517 may also apply.

What documents are required for clearance?

Bill of lading, commercial invoice, certificate of origin, customs declaration with precise HS Code, quality/standards certificates, insurance policy, environmental permits if applicable, Ministry of IMT permit, trade card, and finally the delivery order.

Are there environmental restrictions on importing sand and gravel?

Yes. If extraction is from sensitive or protected areas, obtaining environmental permits is mandatory. Also, in some regions of the country, imports may be prohibited or restricted.

How is transportation of sand and gravel managed?

Due to high weight/volume, the use of bulk cargo vessels and specialized trucks is recommended. Precise route planning, scheduling, and storage control costs.

Multimedia Suggestions

Image file name: customs-sand-gravel-clearance-iran.jpg
Alt Text: Customs clearance of sand and gravel in Iran | HS 25051010, 25051090, 2517
Caption: «Sand and gravel clearance steps; from order registration to environmental permits and transportation»
Infographic: «Document checklist and quality tests for sand and gravel»

Summary and Call to Action

Due to standards, environmental, and logistical sensitivities, sand and gravel clearance requires precise document planning and correct tariff classification. With hands-on experience, Saba Tarkhis moves your case forward quickly and in full compliance.

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Specialized Sand and Gravel Clearance Services by Saba Brokerage

Leveraging experience and expertise in clearing bulky and heavy goods, Saba Brokerage offers specialized services for customs clearance of sand and gravel—from pre-import consultation and permit acquisition to document management and close tracking of clearance steps.

Service Highlights:

Pre-import expert consultation: support in obtaining legal permits, preparing required documents, and selecting the optimal route.
Accurate tracking of clearance steps: from cargo arrival to final release, utilizing e-systems to accelerate processing.
Document review and compliance: verifying all import/export documents against regulations to prevent legal issues.
High-speed customs processing: relying on effective coordination with relevant bodies to reduce dwell time and warehousing costs.
Logistics optimization: employing the best transport modes and storage facilities to manage high cargo weight/volume.

Contact our experts for more information.

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