Customs Clearance of Carbon Types: Procedures, Permits, Tariffs (HS Code) and Documents

Customs clearance of carbon types, due to the variety of allotropes, safety sensitivities (especially in powder form), and wide industrial applications, requires close attention to the HS Code, legal documents, and methods of transport and storage. In this guide, based on your submitted information, we present a scientific and practical introduction to carbon, tariff codes, safety notes, production methods, the import/export status of Iran and the world, and finally the fast-track clearance path along with Saba Tarkhis’s specialized services.

1) Detailed description of carbon types

The element carbon, symbol C, is element number 6 in the periodic table, located in the second period and the fourteenth group. In the standard state, carbon is solid and is naturally colorless, though its famous appearance is black. This nonmetal, tetravalent chemical element exists abundantly in nature: in the atmosphere as the compound CO₂, in the structures of animals, plants, and living organisms, and within the earth and rocks. It is also present in organic compounds such as oil, gas, coal, etc.; protein, carbohydrate, and lipid compounds also contain carbon. The melting and boiling points of carbon are 3550°C and 3806°C, respectively.

Carbon appears in various forms such as activated carbon, graphite, soot (carbon black), carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, diamond, etc. The softest form of carbon is graphite and the hardest is diamond, known as a valuable gemstone. Carbon is a black solid material extracted from deep within the earth and is also known as coal; it is considered one of the world’s main energy sources and is produced from the decomposition of plants and animals under specific conditions such as high pressure, high temperature, and the passage of time.

Carbon is also found in other forms and has various allotropes such as diamond, graphite, amorphous carbon, graphene, carbon nanotube, fullerene, etc.

2) Types and applications

• Activated carbon: Water and air purification, odor and pollutant adsorption.
• Graphite: Industrial uses, electrode production, production of certain electronic parts, etc.
• Soot (carbon black): Rubber and plastics production, various chemical products (hoses, conveyor belts, inks, automotive coatings, etc.)
• Carbon fibers: Reinforcement of composite materials, structural strengthening, applications in the paper industry, etc.
• Carbon nanotubes: Advanced applications in electronics industries and material reinforcement, etc.

Carbon is also used across industries such as chemical manufacturing, jewelry, steel, automotive, power and electronics, advanced nanomaterials, and more.

3) Key steps and notes in clearing carbon

• Order registration in the National Trade System, specifying allotrope/type (activated, graphite, carbon black, fibers, nanotubes, etc.), technical specs, packaging, and country of origin.
• Accurate determination of the HS Code appropriate to the carbon type to avoid tariff disputes and accelerate assessment.
• Observing transport and storage safety, especially for carbon powder (flammability and potential to form explosive mixtures in air).
• Completing standard trade documents (Invoice, Packing List, B/L, CO) plus insurance documents and statutory payments.

4) Customs tariff / HS Code

Rate of import duty: 4 percent — Unit of calculation: kilogram

5) Special conditions for importing and exporting carbon

Importing and exporting carbon and its allotropes, due to wide industrial applications and certain safety risks, requires strict adherence to customs regulations, standards, and safety requirements. For imports, precise tariff classification and complete documentation optimize clearance time and cost. For exports, meeting destination standards and proper packaging (especially for powder forms) are essential.

6) Iran market: imports and exports

Looking at global and Iranian markets, active trading of carbon and its types (graphite, carbon black, carbon fibers, etc.) is evident. Main imports of carbon and its products into the country are from China, South Korea, India, Hong Kong, UAE, Oman, Turkey, Armenia, Germany. Main exports from Iran go to Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia. Iran is also among the producers of these products and plays a role in both exports and imports.

7) Trade volume, economic advantage, and taxes/duties

Carbon and its products have wide applications across industries, and their import/export has considerable economic justification. All calculations of import duties are based on weight (kilogram) and the announced percentages (import duty 4%); meeting documentary and tariff requirements helps reduce costs and speed up the process.

8) Global market: major exporters and importers

Given the substantial profitability, many countries produce and trade various carbon types. On the demand side, the petrochemical, electronics, rubber and plastics, automotive, construction, and advanced materials industries are the main global market drivers.

9) Documents required for clearing carbon

• Order registration in the National Trade System
• Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading (B/L)
• Certificate of Origin (CO)
• Transport insurance policy and coverage documents
• If required: quality/standard certificates and safety documents for powder forms
• Documents evidencing payment of import duties and charges

10) Fast clearance method + Saba Tarkhis special services

1. Precisely identify the carbon type/allotrope and determine the HS Code per the table above.
2. Register the order and prepare trade and insurance documents; pre-check any restrictions.
3. Align with transport and storage safety requirements, especially for carbon powder.
4. Accurate customs declaration, response to assessment, calculation and payment of duties and charges.
5. Final clearance and delivery to warehouse/factory in compliance with HSE requirements.

Key notes and safety for using/transporting carbon

• In powder form, carbon has very high flammability; dispersed fine particles can create explosive mixtures in air.
• In storage, control of ignition sources and proper ventilation are mandatory.
• For risks and preventive measures, contact Saba Tarkhis’s safety and health experts.

Production methods of carbon allotropes

1. Activated carbon — pyrolysis (decomposition and separation): Produced in three stages: dewatering, carbonization, and activation.
2. Graphite — Acheson process (coal transformation): Anthracite powder is heated in porcelain crucibles in the absence of air at 1200–1500°C, producing graphite.
3. Carbon black (soot) — furnace process: Combustion of hydrocarbon feedstocks with limited oxygen yields carbon black.
4. Carbon fibres: (a) Thermal decomposition of organic materials such as petroleum and coal; (b) PAN Base route involving oxidation, carbonization, and graphitization.
5. Carbon nanotubes: Synthesized via plasma (single-wall), electric discharge, laser ablation, high-pressure CO disproportionation, and CVD.
6. Diamond: (a) HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) similar to natural formation; (b) Chemical Vapor Deposition.

Multimedia suggestion

• Image filename: terkhis-carbon-hs-codes-iran.jpg
• Alt Text: Customs clearance of carbon types in Iran with HS Codes
• Caption: «Carbon types, applications, and safety notes for clearance»
• Infographic: «5-step carbon clearance process + HS table»

Suggested links

• Saba Tarkhis customs clearance services
• HS Code selection guide
• Wikipedia, WTO, UN

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