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Customs Clearance of Automotive Sealants & Gaskets | HS Code, Documents, Permits

Customs Clearance of Automotive Sealants & Gaskets in Iran (HS Code + Documents & Permits)

Customs clearance of automotive sealants & gaskets — Sealants are essential, widely used materials across industries, employed to fill and seal joints and gaps during manufacturing. Owing to their high adhesion and flexibility, they play a critical role in preventing the ingress of water, air, dust, and other contaminants into structures. Given their importance and broad use, importing and clearing sealants through customs has become a key topic in international trade.

To estimate the time and cost for clearing automotive sealants and gaskets from Iranian customs, contact the experts at Saba Tarkhis.

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1) Applications of Sealants Across Industries

Sealants are regarded as vital components in many industries and, depending on their base chemistry and specific properties, are used across a wide range of applications. These products are designed to achieve goals such as sealing, insulation, and protection against environmental factors.

1. Construction Industry

Sealants play a fundamental role in construction to ensure durability, energy efficiency, and resistance to various environmental conditions. Key applications include:
Sealing window and door joints: Silicone and acrylic sealants are ideal due to their flexibility and high weather resistance. By preventing water, wind, and cold from entering, they help maintain indoor temperature and improve building energy efficiency.
Sealing exterior façades: Exposed to rain, wind, and temperature changes, façades require protection. Silicone and polyurethane sealants are used for sealing and protecting façades, helping prevent water ingress and reducing maintenance costs.
Insulating concrete and metal structures: In concrete and metal structures, polyurethane and butyl sealants fill joints between structural components. By reducing water and moisture ingress, they prevent corrosion and rusting, thereby increasing structural strength and longevity.

2. Automotive Industry

In automotive manufacturing, sealants ensure optimal component performance and protection against external factors, thereby enhancing vehicle lifespan and quality. Important uses include:
Sealing glass and doors: Polyurethane and silicone sealants are used to seal vehicle windows and doors, reducing water and dust ingress, preserving comfort and safety, and preventing unwanted wind noise.
Insulating body sections: Sealants insulate areas such as the hood, trunk, and doors. Owing to high resistance to impact, chemicals, and temperature fluctuation, polyurethanes are widely used, helping maintain body integrity and increase durability.
Vibration and noise reduction: Applied at engine–chassis interfaces and other joints, sealants help reduce vibration and cabin noise, improving ride quality and passenger satisfaction.

3. Aerospace Industry

Aerospace is a complex, highly sensitive sector where high-performance sealants are critical. Applications include:
Sealing aircraft parts and joints: Silicone and fluorosilicone sealants withstand high pressures, extreme temperature swings, and solar radiation; they help prevent air leaks and maintain cabin pressure, ensuring safety and efficiency.
Sealing fuselage and wing seams: Aerospace-grade sealants must tolerate dynamic pressure and abrupt temperature changes to prevent moisture ingress, icing, and damage, thus preserving aircraft safety.
Protection against solar radiation and chemicals: Aerospace sealants must resist fuels and industrial fluids as well as UV exposure—key to extending component life and preventing premature degradation.

4. Marine Industries

Marine environments demand sealants with special properties due to constant water contact and harsh conditions. Key uses include:
Sealing hulls of ships and boats: Butyl and polysulfide sealants offer excellent water and weather resistance, sealing hull seams to prevent water ingress and increase vessel safety and service life.
Protecting marine structures: For piers, marine bridges, and offshore platforms, polyurethane and polysulfide sealants are used owing to their resistance to corrosion, chemicals, and tough environments.
Preventing biofouling: Marine sealants must resist algae and other bio-growth to avoid performance loss and reduce maintenance costs.

2) Types of Sealants and Their Technical Characteristics

Sealants are categorized by base chemistry and application. Below are major types and their specific features:

1. Silicone Sealants

Features: Excellent resistance to heat, UV, and moisture; high flexibility and long service life. Effective from about −50 °C up to ~250 °C.
Applications: Widely used in construction, electronics, automotive, and aerospace—ideal for sealing windows, doors, façades, moisture-sensitive electronics, and aircraft components.

2. Acrylic Sealants

Features: Fast-drying and paintable—suited to interior décor. Typically used for small gaps and cracks in indoor surfaces.
Applications: Construction and interior finishing; sealing around windows/doors, wall and ceiling cracks, and interior trims.

3. Polyurethane Sealants

Features: High resistance to chemicals, impact, and temperature fluctuations; very flexible and capable of bearing heavy mechanical loads.
Applications: Sealing joints in large infrastructure (bridges, tunnels, concrete/steel structures) and in automotive glazing/body sections.

4. Butyl Sealants

Features: Outstanding water resistance and durability in harsh environments; strong adhesion to metal, glass, plastic, and concrete.
Applications: Ideal for underground structures, ship/boat hulls, and marine structures—perform well in high-humidity and severe weather.

3) Customs Tariff and HS Codes for Sealants

Tariffs and HS (Harmonized System) codes for sealants vary by chemistry and application. Common HS codes include:
HS 321410: Water-based sealants, largely used in construction and interior finishing.
HS 321490: Other sealants and similar materials used in industries including automotive, aerospace, and marine.
Customs duties vary by product type and country of origin, typically in the 10%–20% range and subject to regulatory changes.
Product Short Description HS Code
Water-based sealant Construction/interior sealant 321410
Other sealants and caulks Industrial/automotive/marine 321490

Final classification depends on base chemistry, grade, packaging, and end use.

4) Specific Conditions for Importing & Exporting Sealants

Import and export of sealants are subject to specific regulations and standards that vary by product type and the origin/destination country. Key requirements include:
Environmental standards: Some sealants contain chemicals subject to environmental oversight. Importers must ensure compliance with applicable environmental standards.
Health and technical permits: For sealants intended for sensitive sectors (pharma, food, sanitary), health/technical approvals from competent authorities may be required.
Labeling and packaging: Sealants must comply with international packaging and labeling standards, including chemical composition, manufacture/expiry dates, and safety warnings.

5) Exporting/Importing Countries and Trade Volume

Exporters: China, Germany, the United States, and South Korea are among the largest producers and exporters of sealants, supplying global markets with high-quality, mass-produced products.
Importers: Iran, Türkiye, India, and several Middle-Eastern countries are major importers. Growing construction and automotive sectors in these markets are driving demand.
Import & export volume of sealants — Iran is one of the region’s largest importers. According to statistics, in 2023 more than $200 million of sealants were imported into Iran, mainly from China, Germany, and Türkiye. Iran also exports to neighboring markets such as Iraq and Afghanistan, though export volumes are lower than imports.

Need precise HS classification, permits, and document preparation? Our team manages the entire case end-to-end.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common HS Codes for sealants?

Depending on the base: 321410 (water-based) and 321490 (other sealants). Final classification depends on technical specs and application.

What permits are needed to import automotive sealants?

Typically, conformity with the National Standards Organization, possible health/safety permits for specific uses, and compliance with labeling and MSDS requirements.

What are the typical customs duties for sealants?

It varies by HS line and country of origin, but usually falls in the ~10% to 20% range. Exact duty is determined per product file.

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  • Caption: “HS checklist, documents, and permits for clearing automotive sealants”
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Summary & Call to Action

Clearing automotive sealants and gaskets is sensitive due to varied grades, standards, and HS differences. With hands-on experience, Saba Tarkhis expedites your process in full compliance with regulations.

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Special Customs Clearance Services by Saba Brokerage

Customs clearance is one of the most sensitive and complex stages in the import/export chain, requiring technical knowledge and sufficient experience. With years of expertise, we deliver high-accuracy, high-speed clearance services to keep your international trade smooth and flawless.
Specialized consulting: Leveraging seasoned experts who know the latest customs regulations and international standards, we propose optimal strategies for fast, efficient clearance tailored to your product type and market conditions.
Document preparation: Precise documentation is crucial. We help prepare and complete all required paperwork, including commercial invoices, certificates of origin, standards certificates, and health/technical permits—accelerating clearance and preventing delays.
Electronic systems: To enhance speed and accuracy, we use the EPL electronic declaration system. It improves efficiency, reduces human error, and enables easier, faster tracking.
Continuous follow-up: Throughout the process we maintain direct contact with customs offices to preempt issues. This ensures your goods are cleared as quickly as possible without complications.
Post-clearance services: After release, we provide comprehensive transport and final-delivery services with top quality, coordinating with carriers, packaging, and logistics to ensure on-time, safe delivery.

By choosing these specialized services, you can rest assured your clearance is handled with precision, speed, and quality—minimizing concerns related to import/export. Our goal is to make your international trade easier and more successful.

Contact our experts for more information.

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