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Import/Export

United Kingdom to Iraq

Country or Territory Regulations Topics:

Import Documentation

Customs may require a Certificate of Origin, depending on the Harmonized Tariff Code, for certain goods (for example, electrical items, textiles). The Certificate of Origin must meet the following customs stipulations:

  • Must be an original form
  • Must contain the shipper's original signature in ink
  • Must be issued by the Chamber of Commerce
  • Must contain a seal or watermark in the paper
  • Must provide a detailed description of the goods. General descriptions of goods, such as "clothes" or "garments," will not be accepted
    • For charges made for Export Shipments from United Kingdom to the destination country or territory, please refer to Brokerage Services and Charges-Export Shipments with United Kingdom as the destination.

    Driving Licenses

    Valid Driving Licenses can be shipped as documents. The description must clearly state 'driving license'. Shipping driving licenses require the approval of the UK customs authorities. A delay of minimum one day has to be calculated.

    Please check the import related information if driving licenses are allowed for importation.

    Mobile phones to all destinations from United Kingdom can be delayed on export due to security checks from government bodies.

    Goods under IATA Special Provisions A67 require a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet).

    It is not required for all, however shipments can be held by local authority in United Arab Emirates after screening due to lack of MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) or NON DG (Dangerous Goods) declaration letter from the shipper resulting to misconnections and impacting end-to-end service.

    It would be advisable for all shipments originating, transiting and terminating for UAE to have MSDS or NON DG declaration from shipper enclosed in the shipment and copies to be uploaded in IDIS.

    Export procedure ex United Kingdom

    A formal electronic export declaration must be sent to customs authorities by the exporter or their representative. Customs authorities grant the release for export and issue an Export Accompanying Document (EAD) with a unique Movement Reference Number (MRN). UPS operated simplified procedures allowing export formalities to be completed upto 14 days after export.

    Informal Declarations
    An informal declaration is possible for shipments up to a national threshold. The informal declaration is based on the invoice value and is restricted to shipments not subject to prohibitions and restrictions (for example, embargo regulations) or special export procedures (for example, temporary export). The informal clearance will be done by UPS at the point of exit.

    National Requirements
    Shipments up to a value of 873.00 GBP can be declared informally on the basis of the invoice.

    The EORI (European Union Registration and Identification) number needs to be included with the Invoice for any shipment with value exceeding 873.00 GBP. The EORI number can be obtained by the shipper using website link: www.gov.uk/EORI

    UPS service
    UPS offers the service to prepare export declarations on behalf of the exporter without additional fees.

    Export Documentation

    Valid passports can be shipped as documents. The description must clearly state 'passport'. Shipping passports require the approval of the UK customs authorities. A delay of minimum one day has to be calculated.

    Please check the import related information if passports are allowed for importation.

    Clearance Information

    Customs formalities are undertaken at Erbil airport.

    Normal clearance is one day. Delays occur when additional documents are required or ministry approval is required.

    Medical supplies and equipment need approval from Ministry of Health. Medical supplies will undergo inspection by the airport doctor and the clearance will be done strictly with his approval only. Expired items cannot be released and will be destroyed by Customs.

    All consumable items should have production and expiry date clearly printed, otherwise the items will not be cleared and later destroyed by the Customs.

    Commodities like cameras and telecommunication/wireless equipment need to be cleared through Erbil General Security by the receiver with required documents as instructed by the authorities. Shipments will not be cleared or released for RTS until the receiver provides the required permit.

    Transfer from Erbil to Baghdad airport is not possible for any shipments. If a shipment is held, storage charges of $5.00 will be imposed from the 4th day onwards by Customs.

    During final clearance, receiver has to pay these charges and for return, shipper has to pay these charges.

    Once the shipment arrives in Erbil Customs, the Consignee has six months from the date of arrival in order to clear the shipment, after six Months it will be automatically destroyed by Customs.

    Please note that not only the value(s) of the commodity/commodities have to be considered when calculating duty and tax, but also the freight charge and other fees.
    UPS cannot deliver to a P.O. Box address. All packages require a consignee's contact name and complete street address including apartment, suite or unit number if applicable. The consignee's telephone number should be provided if known.

    Areas Served

    Service is provided to and from various cities.

    For service outside of Baghdad, there are many conditions impacting service that are out of UPSs control. Nonetheless, UPS is confident that it can continue to provide reliable, consistent transit times into both Baghdad and surrounding areas outside of the city.

    Military Bases served outside Baghdad subject to an extended area delivery surcharge of $22.00 per package are: Camp Taji and COB Basra.

    In addition, to complete the address, all shipments must include an up to date point of contact with both an in country or territory phone number and email address.

    UPS cannot deliver to a P.O. Box address. All packages require a consignee's contact name and complete street address including apartment, suite or unit number if applicable. The consignee's telephone number should be provided if known.

    Friday, and official holidays.
    Spring +0300/ Fall +0300
    Arabic
    Iraqi Dinar(IQD)

    Billing Options

    • Shipping charges can be billed to the shipper, receiver or a third party.
    • When billing the receiver, either the shipper or receiver's account number is required.
    • When billing to a third party, the third party's name, country or territory and account number are required.
    • Duties and taxes can be billed to the shipper, receiver or a third party.
    • When billing a third party, the third party's name, country or territory and account number are required.
    • If the duties and taxes are billed to an account outside of the destination country or territory, a "Duty and Tax Forwarding" surcharge will be applied.
    • Please note the following third party billing exceptions:
      • Shipments to and from the same country or territory (domestic shipments) cannot be billed to third party payors in other countries or territories. For example, shipments from Mexico to Mexico or Canada to Canada cannot be billed to a third party payor in the U.S. This rule does not apply to UPS domestic services in European Union countries or territories as well as to UPS domestic services in the United Kingdom.For example, shipments from Germany to Germany can be billed to a third party payor in the U.S. (as long as the payor is a business and has a VAT or Tax/EIN ID on file with UPS).
    • When paying by credit card, check, or cash, only the shipper can be billed the shipping charges.

    Commodity Specific Stipulations

    There are special stipulations on the following commodities when shipping to Iraq. If you plan to ship one of the commodities listed below, be sure to adhere to the following stipulations in order to avoid delays and holds at customs.

    Shipments of adversting stickers require an import license issued by the Ministry of Financial and Commercial Control, provided by the importer. The import will be delayed and additional charges may apply.
    Bank Cards which are requested to be sent out of the United Kingdom should be declared for referral to HMRC and await their approval to send.
    Any import cosmetics shipments more than 5 kgs (actual weight) will required quality control and Ministry of Health approval from Erbil.
    An invoice is required on all shipments containing a CD-Rom/Disk. Invoice should indicate the value of the Recording Media (eg. CDR/DVD) & the Intellectual/statistical value of the software/data separately
    Approval from the Ministry of Health is required. Also, an additional 3 to 4 days may be needed for clearance.
    Diaries which contain any pictures, advertising or other content considered offensive will be destroyed. Shipments of over 1500 diaries require a Certificate of Origin. Diaries may be delayed for 3 to 4 days for censorship purposes.
    Shipments of electrical items requires special permission from the Ministry of Information and a Certificate of Origin. There is a 50 USD charge in advance to acquire government approval.
    Imports require an import license issued by the Ministry of Health provided by the importer. The import will be delayed and additional charges may apply.
    Data shipments to Iraq require an invoice with the value of the CD-ROM or disk only.
    Shipments of medical items requires special permission from the Ministry of Information and a Certificate of Origin. There is a 50 USD charge in advance to acquire government approval.
    Imports require an import license issued by the Ministry of Health provided by the importer. The import will be delayed and additional charges may apply.
    Imports of medicine require an import license issued by the Ministry of Health provided by the importer. The import will be delayed and additional charges may apply.
    All military non-document shipments to Iraq require a "tax levy form" in order to clear the goods duty free. Either the shipper or the importer has to complete the form. If no tax levy form is available, duty will apply. Please make sure that the correct importer's phone number and address is mentioned on the waybill and the invoice.

    Shipments of the following military equipment (troop needs -clothes, night vision equipment, weapons, walkie talkies and broadcasting equipment) require an import license issued by the Ministry of Interior, provided by the importer. The import will be delayed and additional charges may apply.

    Shipments of parts require an invoice with complete descriptions of the part itself, the part's components, and for what machine the part will be used.
    Passports which are requested to be sent out of the United Kingdom should be declared for referral to HMRC and await their approval to send.
    Shipments of software requires approval from the Ministry of Communication and may take an additional 2 to 3 days for clearance.
    Audio or video tapes may be delayed for 3 to 4 days for censorship purposes. Tapes which contain any pictures, advertising or other content considered offensive will be destroyed.
    All telephones, telephone equipment and cellular telephones require approval from the Ministry of Communication and may take an additional 2 to 3 days for clearance.
    Shipments of televisions require an import license issued by the Ministry of Interior provided by the importer. The import will be delayed and additional charges may apply.
    Shipments of toys with camera uses/equipment require an import license issued by the Ministry of Interior, provided by the importer. The import will be delayed and additional charges may apply.

    Gift Exemptions

    0.00 Iraqi Dinar IQD
    no gift exemption
    no gift exemption

    Invoice Requirements

    Non-document shipments to Iraq must include 1 original and 2 copies of an invoice that contains the following information:

    • Name of carrier
    • Country or Territory of Origin
    • Currency
    • Shipment type
    • Detailed description
    • Name of manufacturer
    • Net and gross weight
    • Number of items in each box
    • Number of packages
    • Trade marks unit and total price

    Shipments of documents do not require an invoice.

    All shipments into Iraq must include a complete address including an up to date point of contact with both an in-country or territory phone number and email address. This is particularly important for shipments to Government institutions or Military shipments.

    Items Classified as Documents

    The destination country or territory considers the following items document shipments. If criteria are listed, the shipment must meet those criteria to be considered a document shipment.

    Tickets for events like stage performances, football matches or concerts can be sent as documents.

    Event tickets coming from a printing company and sent to the organizer of the event or ticket sales offices can not be sent as documents.

    Commercial films are classified as documents. Promotion and training films are classified as non-documents. Films which contain any pictures, advertising or other content considered offensive will be destroyed. Shipments of over 1500 films requires a Certificate of Origin.
    Shipments of inter-company mail are classified as documents and require only a waybill if the shipment is for non-commercial purposes. The waybill must include a complete description of the mail in the "description of good" field. Also, the shipment must be of no commercial value. If all these requirements are not met, the shipment will be classified as a non-document
    Only labels not marked with "made in" are accepted as documents. Those marked with "made in" are prohibited.
    Shipments of magazines may require approval from the Ministry of Information.
    Must be personalized to be considered documents.

    UPS can recommend which forms you need based on a few simple criteria. Forms can be completed online or printed. See which forms you need.

    Prohibited or Restricted Commodities

    In addition to the prohibited commodities listed here, it is prohibited to ship the following commodities to Iraq.

    Antique shipments are restricted from Europe, the Middle East and Africa and can only be shipped with an International Special Commodities (ISC) contract. Antiques are defined as a work of art, piece of furniture, decorative object, or silverware that is 100 years old or older.
    Artwork shipments are restricted from Europe, the Middle East and Africa and can only be shipped with an International Special Commodities (ISC) contract.

    Paintings or other works of art can be accepted if the artist is still alive, the artwork is replaceable and an art dealer or gallery has appraised the artwork within the last year. If the declared value of the artwork is greater than $100.00 and there is a claim, the shipper must provide a copy of the original invoice, a bill of sale, or other proof certifying in writing the actual cost or replacement cost of the item.

    Artwork includes the following: Original engravings, prints, lithographs, original sculptures, statuary.

    The term "Artwork" does not apply to: architectural, engineering, industrial, topographical, commercial drawings, hand-painted or hand-decorated manufactured articles.

    Drones or their related accessories/manual books in Iraq are restricted.

    Without approval from the Kurdistan Ministry of Interior, cannot be cleared in Erbil airport and drone shipment will be automatically seized by customs if they are inbound into Iraq without approval from Kurdistan Ministry of Interior.

    Customs are very strict on Drones along with the Erbil general security department, resulting in heavy fines and suspension of license.

    Goods originating in Israel are prohibited.
    Oil & Gas Industry Equipments or Material Related Oil and Gas Industry equipment

    Equipment or material related requires Ministry of Natural resources approval from the Importer. If shipment is held for the approval, 5$ storage fees will be applicable from 4th day of arrival in Erbil customs.

    Mobile phones to all destination countries from United Kingdom can be delayed on export due to security checks from government bodies.
    Personal Effects cannot be shipped between these countries or territories

    Saturday Delivery

    Saturday Delivery Available: Yes

    Not available in all areas. Always check the international time in transit system for details of service availability within a country or territory.

    Currently subject to days of operation.

    Service Options

    Always check Calculate Time and Cost for details of service availability and guarantee information within a country or territory. All Service Levels may not be available to or from every address within a country or territory.

    • UPS Worldwide Expedited
    • UPS Worldwide Express Saver

    Special Clearance Requirements

    Outward Processing Relief (goods exported from the UK for the purpose of repair)

    The outward processing relief starts with the export from the UK and will be discharged with the re-importation of the repaired goods. Both steps need to be identified by UPS export or import operation. Repair Goods: Goods requiring Export from the UK for repair Invoice requirements:

    • Statement stating "Goods being sent for repair under Outward Processing Relief" should be clearly marked on the commercial invoice
    • Provide serial number of goods being sent for repair. If the goods are not serialized a statement to this effect must be made on the commercial invoice
    • Exporters authorized to export under OPR must include their authority number on all paperwork
    • Provide correct commercial value of goods as originally paid for not a nominal value for the goods.

    Failure to provide any of the above information will result in shipments being delayed.

    Repaired goods: Goods being re-exported returned after repair in the UK Invoice requirements:

    • Invoice should clearly state "Goods have been repaired under IPR"
    • Provide either IP authorization number or Import entry details
    • Provide full commercial value of goods plus cost of repair

    Failure to provide any of the above information will result in shipments being delayed.

    Shipments of repaired goods require an invoice noting the commodity's value before the repair and the value of the repair itself. Also, an export bayan must be prepared by the consignee in advance to avoid Customs duty charges for repaired goods.
    Shipments of returned goods require an invoice noting the country or territory of origin and the reason for the return. Also, an export bayan must be prepared by the consignee in advance to avoid Customs duty charges for the returned goods.
    New requirements have been implemented for small package shipments and are based on the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15, which is entitled "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade". ISPM 15 was adopted internationally in 2002, and is gradually being introduced by countries or territories worldwide. Wood or wood products covered by ISPM 15 include items such as packing cases, boxes, crates, drums or similar packing, pallets, box pallets and other load boards, pallet collars and skids, but exclude such processed woods as orientated strand board, particle board, plywood or veneer, created using glue, heat and pressure or a combinations thereof, and, raw wood which is 6mm or less thick. It is recommended that if a question arises on this issue, please check with the authority that issues the Phytosanitary certificates in your country or territory

    Value Limits


    Private Shipments

    • 0.00 Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
      All non-document shipments may be assessed duty or tax or both regardless of the shipment value.
    Commercial Shipments

    • 0.00 Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
      All non-document shipments may be assessed duty or tax or both regardless of the shipment value.

    Weight and Size Limits

    70 kg (150 lbs.) per package
    274.00 cm (107.9 in.)  per package
    400.00 cm (157.5 in.)  per package
    Length and girth combined


    Convert metric quantity for weight, length, and area.

    NOTE: Information provided by UPS is provided AS IS, may not be current, and does not constitute legal advice. In no event shall UPS be liable for any errors in the information, forms or features made available by UPS, or by any third party site linked to from UPS. Selection and completion of proper forms for any given shipment is the sole responsibility of the shipper. All shipments are subject to the UPS Terms and Conditions of Service in effect at the time of shipping for the country or territory of origin.
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