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Customs Clearance of Various Pickles

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Pickled Goods Customs Clearance | Complete Guide by Saba Tarkhis

Customs clearance of pickled goods is one of the most sensitive stages in food imports. Compliance with legal, sanitary, and standard requirements, along with determining the correct HS Code, directly affects the speed and cost of clearance. The more complete the documents and the greater the product’s compliance with regulations, the faster and risk-free the clearance process will be.
Clearing various types of pickled goods from customs requires knowledge of national and international regulations, food hygiene standards, as well as methods of valuation and tariff classification. The aim of this guide is to provide a practical, specialized, and SEO-optimized framework so that importers and traders can act confidently, quickly, and cost-effectively.

For estimating the time and cost of pickled goods clearance, contact the experts at Saba Tarkhis.

Free Consultation for Pickled Goods Clearance

Detailed Description of Pickled Goods and Technical Features

Definition and Common Ingredients of Pickled Goods

Pickled goods are edible products derived from vegetables, fruits, and other edible plant parts prepared and preserved in acidic environments (such as vinegar or acetic acid), salty brine, or a combination of both. Final quality depends on the raw material, salt/acid ratio, permitted additives, hygiene of production, and packaging conditions. For the Iranian market, product diversity includes pickled cucumbers, olives (brined/stuffed), eggplant, cabbage, peppers, garlic, mixed vegetables, and fruit pickles.
Global food safety standards such as ISO 22000 and HACCP requirements are usually the basis for manufacturer approval; compliance indicates that the product has been produced in hygienic controlled conditions and protected from microbial and chemical hazards.

Types and Applications

Pickled goods are consumed both domestically and in restaurants, and are also considered as inputs for the food industry (sandwich makers, catering, HORECA). From a processing perspective, they can be categorized as acidic (vinegar-based), salty (brine), or mixed. Depending on the target market’s taste, acidity level, salt percentage, spices, and product cutting style may vary.
Packaging and storage process: glass or food-grade plastic containers with tight lids, acid resistance, and impermeability are essential. Storage in controlled temperature and cool warehouses prevents spoilage and extends shelf life.

Customs Clearance and Regulations

Key Points in Clearance, Permits, and Health Standards

For importing food products such as pickled goods, obtaining a permit from the Food and Drug Administration is mandatory. This authority verifies the product’s health and safety. In case of any animal-derived ingredients, a Veterinary Organization permit is also required. Providing a Health Certificate from the country of origin, a Standard Certificate, and compliance with ISO 22000/HACCP requirements are among the key prerequisites for customs acceptance.
  • Label inspection: ingredients list, production/expiry date, batch number, net/gross weight, country of origin.
  • Compliance of shipping documents with commercial documents to avoid discrepancies.
  • Health sampling if required and submission of valid laboratory results.

Customs Tariff / HS Code for Pickled Goods

The first step in clearance is determining the exact customs tariff code (HS). For many pickled goods, heading 2001 (prepared/preserved in vinegar or acetic acid) is commonly used. However, depending on preparation methods, some items may also be classified under other headings (for example, some items prepared/preserved “other than vinegar/acetic acid” fall under 2005). Choosing the correct heading is the basis for calculating duties and taxes and avoiding disputes.
HS Code (Sample) Description / Example
2001.10 Pickled cucumbers in vinegar/acetic acid (general example)
2001.90 Other vegetables/fruits in vinegar/acetic acid (mixed pickles)
2005.70 Olives prepared/preserved other than vinegar/acetic acid (common example)

For certain specific products such as brined olives or pickled tomatoes, separate subheadings may apply. Choosing the correct code prevents value disputes, miscalculations, and delays.

Special Conditions for Import and Export of Pickled Goods

Pickled goods hold an important position in global trade and are exchanged under strict sanitary regulations. In Iran, obtaining a permit from the Food and Drug Administration, providing a Health Certificate, and complying with labeling standards are mandatory. Iran mainly sources its imports from Turkey, India, China, and some European countries; conversely, traditional and modern Iranian pickles are exported to Iraq, the UAE, Afghanistan, Turkey, and certain European markets such as Russia and Germany.

Market and Trade of Pickled Goods

Iranian market: due to high demand, the import basket includes vegetable pickles, brined olives, fruit pickles, and similar products. Geographic proximity and low freight costs make Turkey Iran’s main supplier; India and China also have a significant share.
Trade volume: in recent years, Iran’s imports have reached over 20 thousand tons per year, and Iran’s exports are estimated at over 10 thousand tons. Globally, the market’s annual turnover is estimated at over 2 billion USD (figures vary by year and source).
Global market: leading exporters include Turkey, India, China, Spain, and Italy. Major importers include the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, Iran, and the UAE.

Required Documents for Clearance

  1. Commercial Invoice: type of pickle, quantity, unit/total price, seller/buyer, payment terms, and transaction date.
  2. Bill of Lading: origin/destination, mode of transport, number of packages, weight, and type of packaging.
  3. Certificate of Origin: issued by the chamber of commerce in the origin country to ensure proper tariff application.
  4. Health Certificate: confirmation of compliance with the destination country’s hygiene standards.
  5. Import permit from the Food and Drug Administration: evaluation of documents and product sample prior to issuance.
  6. Standard Certificate: compliance with national/international standards in terms of quality, packaging, and hygiene.
  7. Customs Declaration: specifying type, weight, quantity, value, and the exact HS Code.
  8. Packing List: quantity, type of packages, net/gross weight, and traceability.
  9. Cargo insurance policy: coverage of potential damages during transportation.

Clearance Method (Simple, Fast, and Safe) + Saba Tarkhis’ Special Brokerage Services

  • Pre-review of product and HS code; matching ingredients/label with Iranian requirements.
  • Preparing a document checklist (invoice, packing list, certificates of origin/health, required permits).
  • Order registration and FX allocation (if needed), coordination of transport and insurance.
  • Customs declaration, inspection acceptance, and sampling (upon request of relevant authorities).
  • Calculation of import duties and payment of statutory charges.
  • Release, seal breaking, final valuation, and cargo exit.
Saba Tarkhis: specialized consulting, timely preparation and submission of documents, coordination with government bodies, accurate tariff calculation, step-by-step follow-up, and optimized transport solutions.

Need an exact HS Code and permit consulting? Our team manages the case end-to-end.

Request a Cost & Lead-Time Estimate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HS code for pickled cucumbers?

Depending on preparation, they usually fall under 2001.10 when in vinegar/acetic acid; for “other than vinegar/acetic acid,” subheadings under 2005 are considered.

Is a Health Certificate mandatory for importing pickled goods?

Yes. A Health Certificate issued by a competent authority in the country of origin and approval by Iran’s Food and Drug Administration are required.

What permit is required for pickles containing animal-derived ingredients?

In addition to the Food and Drug Administration permit, a permit from the Veterinary Organization is also mandatory.

How long does pickled goods clearance take?

It varies based on document completeness, test results, customs workload, and label compliance. Completing documents and accurate coding reduce the time.

Media Suggestions

  • Image file name: clearance-pickled-goods-iran.jpg
  • Alt Text: Pickled goods customs clearance in Iran | HS 2001 and 2005
  • Caption: “Stages of pickled goods clearance; from HS Code determination to health permits.”
  • Infographic: “Document checklist and quality tests for pickled goods (Food and Drug Administration).”

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Summary and Call to Action

Summary: with accurate HS Code determination, timely acquisition of health permits, and complete documentation, pickled goods can be cleared without interruption and at optimal cost. With extensive experience in food product clearance, Saba Tarkhis stands by you from formulation review to cargo release from customs.

Request Consultation & Start the Process Now Request a Cost & Lead-Time Estimate

Saba Brokerage’s Special Services for Pickled Goods Clearance

As one of the most reputable and professional customs brokers, Saba Brokerage offers special services in the clearance of pickled goods. With extensive experience in foodstuff clearance and full knowledge of customs rules and regulations, this brokerage assists importers and exporters throughout all clearance stages. Some of the key services Saba offers to its clients include:

Specialized Consulting

The expert team provides professional consulting on customs regulations, hygiene standards, and required documentation to help importers and exporters complete all clearance steps smoothly and successfully.

Preparation and Submission of Required Documents

Leveraging experience in preparing and submitting all necessary documents including Health Certificates, commercial invoices, bills of lading, and certificates of origin ensures everything is prepared on time and submitted to customs authorities.

Coordination with Government Agencies

Strong relationships with agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and the Ministry of Health expedite the issuance of necessary import and export permits for pickled goods.

Accurate Calculation of Customs Duties

Accurate calculation of clearance costs and customs duties is a vital service that helps reduce expenses and optimize the import process.

Clearance Process Follow-Up

The team continuously follows up on all clearance stages and provides transparent, up-to-date reports to keep clients informed of progress.

Optimized Transport Solutions

By offering the best domestic and international transport solutions, your food products are delivered to the final destination with quality and speed.

Contact our experts for more information.

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