Iran Customs Reduces Import Duties on iPhones from 100% to 15%

Iranian media reported that the Customs Administration has reduced the 'commercial profit' or import duties on iPhone mobile phones from 100% to 15%. On Tuesday, August 2, the Tasnim News Agency reported that the new customs directive has 'nullified' and 'repealed' part of a previous government decision, significantly lowering the import duties on iPhones. According to the earlier government decree, which had also been communicated by customs, the commercial profit for phones under $150 was set at 6%, for phones between $150 and $600 at 1%, and for phones over $600, excluding iPhones, at 28%. Based on the new customs directive, the import duty for mobile phones priced under $150 is set at 10%, for phones valued between $150 and $600 at 5%, and for phones valued over $600 at 15%. Mobile phone prices in Iran have increased by up to 40%. The thirteenth government had previously adjusted the commercial profit for some items, which had set the commercial profit for iPhone models 13 and below at 96% and their import duty at 100%. According to the customs directive issued on August 1, the import of iPhone models 14 and above remains prohibited. As reported by Iranian media, the new customs import directive effectively repeals the previous government decree regarding the determination of mobile phone commercial profits for this year, based on the details of the 1403 budget. This action by Iran's customs comes at a time when recent reports from Iran indicate a 'astronomical' increase in mobile phone prices due to the cessation of preferential currency allocation and increased import tariffs. News outlets like Gostaresh News and Neshan Tejarat, which report on daily mobile phone prices, have stated that in Iran, prices for mobile phones under $600 have increased by up to 37.5%, and for phones over $600 by up to 40%. The thirteenth government also announced the lifting of the ban on car imports for all Iranians under certain conditions after years of prohibition. The Islamic Republic of Iran banned the import of foreign cars in 1397, effectively monopolizing the entire market by domestic car manufacturers, most of which are state-owned and whose products are described as 'low-quality.'