Importing goods from Russia to Iran: grain, quarantine requirements, permits and routes

This page is informational and non-promotional. It explains the framework for importing goods from Russia to Iran: the free trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union, Russia's grain export quota and duties, Iran's plant quarantine requirements, permits on the Iranian side and delivery routes. Figures and rules are taken from official sources and reputable media.

Please note: rules, quotas and tariffs change, and some changes are introduced by administrative letters without public announcement. Before each shipment, check the current status of the specific product with the official authorities of both countries.

At a glance

1. Which goods go from Russia to Iran

The main group is grain and agricultural products: feed barley and corn, wheat, vegetable oils and oilseeds. Other groups include metals and metal products, paper, timber and fertilizers.

In the first quarter of 2026, according to Reuters, about 500,000 t of feed corn and 180,000 t of feed barley went to Iran from Caspian ports. Food-grade wheat (over 4,000 t) was shipped via the Caspian for the first time in years. Before that, wheat went from Black Sea ports such as Novorossiysk to Iranian terminals near the Strait of Hormuz.

2. The Iran–EAEU free trade agreement

The agreement has been in force since 15 May 2025. According to Russia's deputy prime minister, the preferences cover about 93.7% of Russian exports, and Iran's average duty on Russian goods falls from 16.7% to 5.2%. Duties are eliminated on a number of goods, including electrical equipment, ferrous metals, sugar and beef. According to Interfax, the biggest gains are in metals (rolled products, pipes, metal structures), paper, grain, and sunflower, soybean and rapeseed oil. The exact rate for each product should be checked against its tariff code.

3. The Russian side: grain export quota and duties

Russia regulates exports of wheat, barley and corn through a quota and floating duties. In 2026 the main quota was 20 million t, in effect from 15 February, and on 10 April another 5 million t was added. Both run until 30 June, and shipments to EAEU countries are outside the quota. The additional volume is allocated by Russia's Agriculture Ministry on the basis of exporters' applications. Because the rules change every year and even within a year, check the current status with the Russian exporter or the Agriculture Ministry.

4. Iran's quarantine requirements for grain

According to a letter from Iran's Plant Protection Organization (2015, covering wheat, maize and barley), each consignment must carry the original phytosanitary certificate of the exporting country's quarantine service. The additional declaration of the certificate must name specified pests by their scientific names, for example, for wheat, freedom from Trogoderma and origin in an area free from Karnal bunt. If scientific names are missing, the consignment is refused and the risk lies with the importer. Iran does not disinfect consignments at entry points: if a pest not declared in the certificate is found, the consignment is returned or destroyed. Russia is not on the list of countries whose wheat is banned.

In practice, Rosselkhoznadzor disinfests grain at the port of Makhachkala to meet Iran's requirements. From 1 to 22 April 2026 about 58,000 t of grain was inspected and certificates were issued for more than 30 ship consignments.

5. The Iranian side: permits and order registration

According to the Eurasian Economic Commission guide to Iran's trade regulation (undated, with references to 2020), an importer usually needs:

• a commercial card;
• order registration in the Comprehensive Trade System;
• a proforma invoice;
• sector-specific permits (for example, from the Ministry of Agriculture for plant products and the Ministry of Health for foodstuffs);
• a standards conformity certificate where required.

For goods with mandatory standards, customs does not release the cargo without a conformity certificate. The list of accepted standards includes ISIRI, ISO, IEC, Codex and European, American and Japanese standards. If a product is made only to GOST, agree this in advance with the Iranian importer and the Iranian National Standards Organization. Because the guide is dated, procedures (including those for foreign currency and order registration) may have changed.

An example of sudden change: in October 2023 Iran's customs administration stopped clearing crude sunflower and soybean oil "until further notice". Check the current status of this before signing a contract.

6. Typical documents and routes

Documents usually needed for a shipment:

• contract, proforma and commercial invoice, packing list;
• phytosanitary certificate of the exporting country (for grain and plant products);
• certificate of origin (CT-3 to claim the preferential tariff);
• quality and weight certificates, usually from an independent inspection company;
• veterinary certificate for products of animal origin;
• transport document (sea, rail or road);
• order registration and permits in Iran, and the customs declaration in Iran.

Common routes: from Russian ports on the Caspian (two grain ports in Astrakhan and one in Makhachkala, with combined capacity of at least 3 million t) to Iran's northern ports; from the Black Sea (for example, Novorossiysk) to Iran's southern ports; and a road and rail route through Azerbaijan. According to Reuters, the war in the Middle East has made the Caspian route more important for Russia–Iran trade.

7. Timber from Russia

Importing timber has its own rules (quarantine and made-to-order supply). Details are on the page Importing timber from Russia to Iran.

8. The role of Universal Partner

Universal Partner (UPBC) is a trading company working in Iran–Russia trade. It helps Iranian buyers find a Russian supplier and arrange documents and delivery. To discuss a specific product, please send a cooperation request.

Frequently asked questions

Which goods go most often from Russia to Iran?

Grain (barley, corn, wheat), vegetable oils, metals, paper, timber and fertilizers.

What has the free trade agreement changed for imports from Russia?

According to a Russian official, Iran's average duty on Russian goods falls from 16.7% to 5.2%. Check the rate for a specific product against its tariff code.

What is Russia's grain export quota?

In 2026, 20 million t from 15 February plus 5 million t in April, until 30 June, with floating duties; shipments to EAEU countries are outside the quota.

What certificate is needed to import grain from Russia?

The original phytosanitary certificate of Russia's quarantine service, with an additional declaration naming pests by scientific name.

Which route does the cargo take?

Usually from the ports of Astrakhan or Makhachkala on the Caspian to Iran's northern ports, or from the Black Sea to Iran's southern ports.

Sources

TASS: trade turnover · Reuters via Baird Maritime: Caspian shipments · Interfax: free trade agreement · Interfax: grain quota · Letter of Iran's Plant Protection Organization (Rosselkhoznadzor archive) · EEC guide to Iran's trade regulation · S&P Global: sunflower oil, 2023 · AB News: Makhachkala port inspection, April 2026

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Facts & FAQ about UPBC

This text is general information and is not a substitute for customs or legal advice.