Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Customs
Contrary to popular belief, Iranian officialdom is fairly relaxed about what foreigners take
into and out of the country; at airports, your bags probably won't be searched at all.
However, don't take this to mean you can load your luggage with vodka, bacon and porn.
You are allowed to import, duty-free, 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars, and a 'reasonable
quantity' of perfume. And of course zero alcohol, which remains strictly illegal.
You'll probably get away with any book, no matter how critical of the government, as
long as it doesn't have too much female skin or hair visible on the cover.
You should have no trouble bringing in your laptop, smartphone, shortwave radio, iPad
and video equipment if it doesn't look professional. Visitors are supposed to declare cash
worth more than US$1000. In practice few do and the authorities aren't really interested.
Export Restrictions
Officially, you can take out anything you legally imported into Iran, and anything you
bought, including handicrafts other than rugs up to the value of US$160 (hang on to your
receipts), as long as they are not for 'the purpose of trade'. Many traders will undervalue
goods on receipts issued to foreigners. A 'reasonable number' of rugs can be exported
with no limit on value. In our experience, we've never been asked to show any paperwork
when carrying (small numbers of) rugs out of Iran.
You can also take out 150g of gold and 3kg of silver, without gemstones. If you want to
exceed these limits, you will need an export permit from a customs office. Officially you
need permission to export anything 'antique' (ie more than 50 years old), including handi-
crafts, gemstones and coins. No more than IR200,000 in Iranian cash is allowed to be
taken out of Iran.
Sanctions mean that in theory you can't take more than US$100 worth of goods pur-
chased in Iran into the USA.
Dangers & Annoyances
Earthquakes
Earthquakes happen every day in Iran (see the boxed text,
Click here
)
, but most travellers
will never feel one. If you get unlucky, the following precautions might help.
It's most important to protect yourself from falling debris. If you're indoors, stay inside
and take cover under a sturdy desk or table. Hold on to it and be prepared to move with it.
