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Wood Customs Clearance in Iran (HS Code + Documents and Permits)
For estimating the time and cost of clearing various types of wood contact the experts at Saba Tarkhis.
1) Types of Imported Wood and Their Applications
Customs Tariff Code: 4403
Applications:
Softwoods such as pine, spruce, and cedar are among the most widely used woods in construction. Due to their light weight and high flexibility, they are used to build wooden frames, concrete molds, and even for paper production. Softwood is especially suitable for temporary structures and construction projects.
2. Hardwood
Customs Tariff Code: 4407
Applications:
Hardwoods such as oak, walnut, mahogany, and maple, thanks to their high strength and durability, are used in the furniture industry, interior decoration, and wooden flooring. Their strong structure and attractive appearance make them ideal for high-quality, luxury products.
3. Plywood
Customs Tariff Code: 4412
Applications:
Plywood is made from thin layers of wood. Owing to its strength and resistance to moisture and heat, it is used for walls, flooring, and furniture. This product is especially popular in construction and kitchen cabinet manufacturing.
4. Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)
Customs Tariff Code: 4411
Applications:
MDF is an engineered wood product made from wood fibers combined with adhesive. Thanks to its cost-effectiveness and ease of cutting and processing, it is used as a substitute for natural wood in furniture, cabinets, and doors.
5. Laminated Wood
Customs Tariff Code: 4418
Applications:
These woods are commonly used for doors, windows, parquet, and wall cladding. Due to their attractive appearance and resistance to scratches and moisture, they are very popular in interior decoration.
6. Thin and Sawn Woods
Customs Tariff Code: 4406
Applications:
Thin woods are usually used for wood veneers, laminate sheets, and flooring. Owing to their flexibility and delicacy, they are applied in interior decoration and wooden ornaments.
7. Chipboard
Customs Tariff Code: 4410
Applications:
Chipboards are made by combining wood chips with industrial adhesives and are used in economical furniture, flooring, and wall panels. Their reasonable price and mass-production capability make them a popular option in the furniture industry.
8. Woods for Musical Instruments
Customs Tariff Code: 9209
Applications:
Certain woods such as mahogany, maple, and ebony—thanks to their acoustic characteristics—are used to make instruments like guitars, pianos, and violins. Due to their sound quality, these woods hold a special place in the music industry.
9. Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
Customs Tariff Code: 4410
Applications:
OSB boards are produced from wood strands and durable adhesives. Due to their high strength, they are used in construction and temporary structures. Their light weight and durability make them widely used in building projects.
10. Woods for Handicrafts and Wooden Decorations
Customs Tariff Code: 4420
Applications:
These woods are used to make handicrafts and wooden decorations, including sculptures, frames, and wooden jewelry. Thanks to their beautiful appearance and uniqueness, they have many fans in local and export markets.
2) Key Points in Wood Clearance
Presenting a Certificate of Origin and Environmental Permits: Importing wood requires a certificate of origin and environmental permits. These documents ensure the legality of the logging source and compliance with international regulations such as the CITES convention.
Phytosanitary Quarantine: Imported wood must be approved for sanitary requirements and receive a phytosanitary quarantine permit. This certificate indicates that the wood is free from any pests or harmful insects that may damage other natural resources.
Transport and Packaging: Due to its weight and volume, wood requires specific packaging and special transport methods to prevent physical and environmental damage along the route. Also, because of its bulk and weight, sea transport through ports is more common.
Compliance with CITES: Some wood species are considered endangered, and their import requires special permits from the CITES convention. For example, species such as mahogany and walnut are protected and their trade must be conducted with great care.
3) Documents and Records Required for Wood Clearance
- To clear wood through customs, providing various documents is mandatory, each playing an important role in the clearance process and transferring the goods into the country. Without these documents, not only may the clearance process be prolonged, but additional costs and legal issues may also arise.
1. Customs Declaration
The customs declaration is one of the most fundamental documents that must be completed by the importer or their representative at customs. This document contains precise information about the type of goods, quantity, weight, tariff code (HS Code), and value. The declaration serves as the basis for calculating customs duties and taxes.
2. Proforma (Proforma Invoice)
The proforma, or preliminary invoice, is issued by the seller and includes information such as the price of the goods, transport conditions, and payment terms. It serves as the basis of agreement between the seller and buyer and is used during clearance.
3. Commercial Invoice
The commercial invoice is an important document issued after the transaction and prior to shipment. It provides complete information about the goods, final price, payment terms, and shipment details, and is the primary reference for calculating taxes and customs duties.
4. Certificate of Origin
The certificate of origin is issued by the chamber of commerce of the exporting country and indicates where the wood was produced. It shows from which country the wood was sourced, based on which customs tariffs and import rules are applied.
5. Phytosanitary Certificate
Due to the possibility of transferring plant pests and diseases to the importing country, wood requires a phytosanitary certificate. This certificate confirms that the wood is free from any plant pests and diseases and is issued by the health authorities of the exporting country.
6. Phytosanitary Quarantine Permit
After the wood enters Iran, the goods must undergo phytosanitary quarantine inspection. The Iranian Plant Protection Organization issues this permit after a thorough inspection to ensure the wood is healthy and pest-free.
7. CITES Certificate (if required)
If the imported wood is from species protected under the CITES convention, obtaining this certificate is necessary. CITES is an international agreement that regulates trade in endangered biological species to prevent their extinction.
8. Bill of Lading
The bill of lading is issued by the transport company and includes detailed shipment information. It is necessary for customs clearance and delivery to the buyer and includes information such as weight, type of goods, and transport conditions.
9. Packing List
The packing list is another important document that provides complete information on how the goods are packed, the number of packages, and their weight and volume. It helps customs inspectors examine the cargo more accurately.
10. Insurance Policy
The cargo insurance policy indicates that the wood shipment is insured against potential risks during transport. This document is essential to safeguard finances and avoid losses in case of incidents.
11. Department of Environment Permit (if necessary)
In some cases, wood imports may have environmental impacts. In such cases, obtaining a permit from the Department of Environment is essential. This permit is especially important for importing rare and sensitive species.
12. Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate
In some cases, importers request an independent inspection company to verify the quality and quantity of the wood before shipment. The pre-shipment inspection certificate acts as a guarantee that the goods comply with the contract conditions.
13. Import License (if required)
In certain cases, importing wood requires special licenses from government bodies. Depending on the type of wood and environmental laws of the countries, these licenses may be mandatory.
14. Business Card (Trade Card)
Importers must have a valid business (trade) card to legally import goods. This card is issued by the Iran Chamber of Commerce and is recognized as the permit for commercial activities.
Need expert advice on permits and documents? Our specialists are ready to assist.
Submit Proforma RequestFrequently Asked Questions
What are the HS Codes for softwood and hardwood?
Softwood: 4403 – Hardwood: 4407. Other wood products have different HS codes.
What permits are required for importing wood?
An environmental permit, a phytosanitary quarantine certificate, and, if necessary, a CITES certificate are mandatory.
Multimedia Suggestions
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- Infographic: «Checklist of documents and permits for wood clearance»
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Summary and Call to Action
Wood clearance is a sensitive process due to the variety of HS codes, environmental permits, and quarantine requirements. With hands-on experience, Saba Tarkhis completes the process quickly and safely.
Request Expert Consultation Get a Proforma for ClearanceSpecialized Customs Services by Saba Brokerage
Clearing wood and wood products through customs, due to specific complexities and the need for multiple permits, requires experience and deep knowledge of customs regulations and international laws. Specialized services help importers complete the clearance process optimally, quickly, and at minimal cost. These services include professional pre-import consulting, obtaining all necessary permits, and providing suitable transport solutions.
Professional Pre-Import Consulting: Providing precise information on customs laws and regulations and reviewing the importer’s specific needs to choose the best import strategy, including identifying the appropriate HS codes and estimating customs costs.
Obtaining Essential Permits: For wood imports, obtaining multiple permits such as phytosanitary quarantine, phytosanitary certificate, and, if necessary, CITES for protected species is essential. These services include complete and accurate follow-up to obtain all such permits from the relevant authorities.
Facilitating Customs Clearance Procedures: Leveraging expertise and technical knowledge, these services help importers complete the customs clearance process more quickly and without administrative issues. Handling customs formalities and resolving possible problems in the shortest time is part of these services.
Safe Packaging and Efficient Transport: Due to the weight and volume of wood, transport requires careful planning. Professional services include selecting the best transport method (sea, land, or combined), proper loading/unloading management, and safe packaging to prevent damage.
Optimizing Customs Costs: A meticulous review of customs tariffs and choosing suitable strategies to reduce customs costs and taxes is one of the advantages of these services. Using up-to-date information and technical expertise minimizes import costs.
Comprehensive Follow-Up and Support for Importers: These services include monitoring all clearance stages—from receipt at entry points to final delivery to the importer. Continuous follow-up and full support to ensure facilitation and acceleration of the clearance process are core features.
Using professional clearance services enables importers to manage their wood import process with confidence and avoid potential issues. These services fully cover the legal and administrative requirements of imports and complete the process efficiently, quickly, and at the lowest possible cost.
