Limited Mobile Registry Exemption for Travelers to Iran

In a move to curb suitcase trade of cellphones, Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration recently announced that incoming passengers should not carry more than one cellphone and will have to pay 18% of the value of the phone as tax at the time of entry.

According to the Telecoms Ministry website, travelers including expats visiting the country, foreign tourists and businesspersons are exempt from the new restrictions for 30 days from the date of arrival.

However, if they want to extend their stay they should register their handsets with IRICA and pay the 18% tax. After the exemption one-month period, unless the handsets are registered, the device will be blacklisted by the Communications Regulatory Authority and local operators will be barred from offering services to such mobile phones.

With the introduction of national Registry Scheme which was introduced on Oct. 20, all mobile phones in the country need to be registered on an online database established jointly by IRICA, CRA and the Telecoms Ministry.