Gov’t Import Ban Policy Criticized

As long as there is demand, there will be supply, and if demand is not met through official channels, it will be met by smuggling. 
Mehrad Ebad, a member of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, added that the imposition of restrictions on the inflow of foreign products leads to an increase in inbound smuggling. 
“A list of banned imports, including 1,600 items, was released by the government a few years ago to economize on foreign currency reserves in the wake of the US reimposition of sanctions. The number of these items increased to 2,262 last [fiscal] year [ended March 20, 2021],” he said in a write-up for the news portal of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.