About $15.5 billion worth of goods were smuggled into and out of Iran in the last Iranian year (March 2015-16), which is 27.7% less than that of the previous year, according to the anti-smuggling headquarters.
Out of the total sum, $14.5 billion worth of commodities were smuggled in and goods worth $1 billion were smuggled out of the country, Mehr News Agency reported.
Apparel, foodstuff, mobile phones, gold ingots and household appliances top the list of items smuggled into the country, together accounting for 41% of goods that have entered the country illegally.
Fuel is the main commodity smuggled out of Iran due to its relatively cheap prices in the country. According to the headquarters, per capita consumption of contraband goods in Iran stood at $197 last year.
Contraband products make up 83% of the mobile phone market, 47% of toy market, 27% of the apparel market and 21% of the household appliances market in Iran.
