The high wall of difference between standard and trade/ Why are goods held up at customs?

Published Dec 3, 2025

Tridge summary

In recent years, the issue of import goods standards has become one of the most important points of contention between the Iranian National Standards Organization and external trade authorities, including the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade and Iran Customs. These differences have not only challenged the process of foreign trade but have also led to increased clearance time, confusion among economic actors, and a rise in transaction costs.

Original content

According to ISNA, what is clear is that standards are not only tools for controlling the quality and safety of goods within the country but also the key to entering global markets and the factor of trust for international trade partners. However, weaknesses in oversight, lack of coordination between institutions, and technical differences with global standards have caused some Iranian goods in international trade to face problems and sometimes even be returned. At the same time, within the country, the incomplete implementation of standards, parallel operations of institutions, and weak enforcement guarantees have created serious challenges for producers and consumers, affecting the actual quality of products. As private sector economic activists narrate this challenge, executive bodies, including the Ministry of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Veterinary Organization, Agricultural Jihad, Environmental Protection Organization, and some other organizations, are parallel to ...

Source: Isna