Tehran, Iran, Sept. 11
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The deputy head of Iran's Auto Importers Association said vehicles stuck in the country’s customs would be released soon.
Kourosh Morshed Solook said the vehicles stuck in customs will be released soon upon an order by President Hassan Rouhani, Khodronevis website reported on September 11.
The release of the cars would help reduce the price of foreign cars in the country’s market temporarily, he added.
The official further expressed the hope for the restoration of the online auto import registration system so that car prices could decline.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration has issued a new directive for auto imports, which further tightens the noose against car imports.
According to IRICA, vehicles with engine capacities over 2.5 liters and costing over $40,000 are banned from entering the Free Trade Zones. For years, the FTZs have had their own regulations and were exempted from such import restrictions. Vehicles imported into the zones cannot be used or sold outside the zones.
Another unwanted problem is that cars registered with the TPO (Trade Promotion Organization) between July 19 (when the online registration system was shutdown) and Dec. 30 cannot be released from customs.
The directive said that cars stuck in the customs and fall in one of the following categories will be seized by authorities: vehicles with engines larger than 2.5 liters or costing above $40,000. Normally, goods seized through such procedures are later auctioned with the proceeds going to the state treasury.