The reduction, equivalent to about 70 hours or nearly half of the previous average, has been attributed to a higher share of low-risk consignments being processed through the green channel, the use of risk profiles, greater automation and the streamlining of customs procedures.
The latest figures were announced by Hassan Alidoosti, acting deputy head of planning and international affairs at IRICA.
The three-day clearance target is part of a broader trade-facilitation agenda being pursued by Iran’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, which aims to reduce the time and cost associated with cross-border commerce.
Risk-Based Controls Drive Faster Clearance
IRICA has identified risk management as one of the key factors behind the reduction in cargo clearance times.
Under a risk-based customs system, consignments are classified according to their level of risk, allowing customs authorities to apply controls proportionate to the nature and risk profile of each shipment.
A greater share of low-risk goods being routed through the green channel enables customs formalities to be completed more quickly, while allowing regulatory resources to remain focused on higher-risk consignments.
The approach is intended to improve both the efficiency of customs operations and the predictability of international trade flows.
Coordinated Border Management on the Agenda
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance is pursuing the reduction in clearance times as part of a broader effort to streamline Iran’s foreign-trade processes.
Economy Minister Seyyed Ali Madanizadeh has previously noted that more than 20 government agencies are involved in border and trade procedures, stressing that not all bottlenecks at the country’s borders fall within the remit of customs authorities.
Against this backdrop, the ministry has placed two initiatives—**coordinated border management** and **direct-through transportation**—on its agenda.
Coordinated border management is designed to improve cooperation among agencies involved in cross-border trade and reduce overlapping procedures. The direct-through transportation initiative, meanwhile, seeks to move cargo from points of entry to its final destination while minimizing unnecessary stops and delays.
Faster Clearance for Essential Goods
Alongside the reduction in average clearance times, Iranian customs authorities are also prioritizing the expedited release of essential commodities.
Foroud Asgari, head of IRICA, said commodities including grains, animal feed, edible oils, medicines and medical equipment have been placed in the green channel to accelerate their clearance.
An estimated 4.5 million to 4.6 million tonnes of essential goods are currently undergoing customs clearance at Iran’s customs facilities, ports and other points of entry.
A substantial portion consists of animal feed, edible oils and oilseeds. Imam Khomeini Port accounts for a significant share of the country’s stocks of essential commodities.
Beyond Customs: Addressing the Wider Trade Chain
Iran’s effort to reduce cargo dwell times extends beyond the reform of customs procedures. The government is also focusing on coordination among agencies and the regulatory processes that affect foreign trade.
Madanizadeh has previously stressed the need for closer coordination with the Central Bank and other institutions involved in the allocation of foreign currency for imports.
This reflects the broader nature of cargo clearance times: the point at which imported goods enter the production and consumption cycle depends not only on customs formalities, but also on licensing, foreign-exchange allocation, transportation, and other stages of the import process.
Reducing delays across these interconnected procedures could therefore have a broader impact on supply-chain efficiency and the overall cost of trade.
Closing the Gap to Three-Day Clearance
The reduction in average clearance time from 143 hours to 73 hours has brought Iran to within approximately one hour of its three-day target.
IRICA and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance plan to build on the progress through wider use of risk-based customs controls, further automation, coordinated border management and direct-through transportation.
The stated objective is to shorten customs processing times, reduce unnecessary cargo dwell time and facilitate the flow of imported goods into Iran’s production and consumer markets, while lowering the time and cost associated with international trade.