Customs clearance time in Iran has significantly decreased: the average period has dropped from 143 hours to 73 hours, representing a reduction of approximately 50 percent. As a result, the country is nearing its goal of clearing cargo within three days, which is pursued by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance as part of a broader program to facilitate foreign trade.
According to Hassan Alidoosti, the acting Deputy for Planning and International Affairs at Iranian Customs, key success factors include increasing the share of low-risk goods moving through the 'green corridor,' expanding the use of risk profiles, digitalization, and reforming customs procedures. The risk management system allows goods to be classified by danger level, and corresponding control measures are applied to each shipment.
The Ministry is also actively implementing coordinated border management and unimpeded transportation. Officials note that over 20 agencies participate in trade processes and at the border, and not all delays are directly related to customs. The goal of coordinated border management is to improve inter-agency interaction and minimize functional duplication, while unimpeded transportation aims to move goods from entry points to final destinations with the fewest unnecessary stops.
Priority is given to essential goods. Grain, livestock feed, edible oil, medicines, and medical equipment pass through the 'green corridor' and are cleared faster. Currently, customs, ports, and entry points process about 4.5–4.6 million tons of essential goods, with a significant portion consisting of livestock feed, edible oil, and oilseeds; Imam Khomeini Port plays a crucial role in this process.
The clearance time also depends on the availability of permits, transport capabilities, and foreign currency distribution. The Minister emphasized the need for coordination with the Central Bank and relevant agencies. By continuing to apply risk management, digitalization, coordinated border management, and unimpeded transportation, Iran aims to complete the clearance process within three days to facilitate the import and customs clearance of goods. Customs officials state that the ongoing reforms are already reducing downtime at entry points, and further improvement is expected as more shipments meet the 'green corridor' criteria and digital procedures replace manual operations.