Tehran and Aprin dry port direct to China via Incheh Borun or Sarakhs, or by Caspian rail-sea-rail. Iran is the corridor behind the well-known Tehran–Xi'an service: heavy westbound cargo and returning boxes, so eastbound space genuinely exists on this lane. Iron ore, zinc and copper, sheepskin, dried fruit, pistachio and carpets are the main imports. Overseas collection, export declaration, rail, Chinese import clearance and nationwide delivery on one file.
An Iran to China return train loads at Tehran or Aprin dry port, enters China through Incheh Borun or Sarakhs, crosses Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, and arrives at Xi'an. When border throughput is constrained, the Caspian rail-sea-rail alternative runs (Aprin → Amirabad port → Caspian ferry → Aktau → China) instead.
This lane is best known as the Tehran–Xi'an service. It began with heavy westbound volume and an eastbound leg in development; today, return space is a stable part of the lane. A meaningful share of the containers going to Iran have to come home, and the return leg fills them with Iranian primary products. For an importer, that is where the rate room comes from.
Eastbound Iran has a distinct commodity profile: minerals and animal products are the two main blocks. Ore such as iron ore, zinc and copper must be declared with accurate composition and content and assessed for solid-waste status. Animal products such as sheepskin and hides need quarantine approval and an official veterinary (sanitary) certificate from the exporting country. Neither is solvable at the destination port — both must be settled at the purchasing stage. Bank settlement for Iran is also more specific, so confirm the workable route with us before signing. EW TRANS CO.,LTD handles Iran in both directions continuously and knows the quarantine and declaration requirements on this lane.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese station | Xi'an (extendable to Yiwu and Chongqing for distribution) |
| Iranian origins | Tehran, Aprin dry port |
| Border entry | Incheh Borun / Sarakhs (via Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan), or Caspian rail-sea-rail |
| Gauge change | Turkmen / Kazakh broad gauge change, or Caspian ferry connection |
| Indicative transit | 20–28 days (land border faster, Caspian rail-sea-rail slightly slower) |
| Scope | Iranian collection and export declaration, return booking, Chinese import clearance, duty payment, quarantine liaison, domestic delivery |
| Settlement note | Bank settlement for Iran is more specific — confirm the workable method before signing |
There are three physical routes back from Iran. Which one applies depends on current border throughput and your transit requirement.
| Route | Path | Chinese station | Indicative transit | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern land border | Tehran / Aprin → Incheh Borun → Turkmenistan → Kazakhstan → Khorgos / Alashankou | Xi'an | 20–25 days | Shortest path and fastest transit; the primary route. Border throughput must be confirmed shipment by shipment. |
| Sarakhs route | Tehran → Sarakhs → Turkmenistan → Kazakhstan → Khorgos / Alashankou | Xi'an | 22–27 days | Fallback when the northern border is congested. A longer detour but generally steadier throughput. |
| Caspian rail-sea-rail | Aprin → Amirabad port → Caspian ferry → Aktau → Kazakhstan → Khorgos | Xi'an, Yiwu | 25–30 days | Alternative when land borders are constrained. One extra handling step but far less dependent on border throughput. |
Transit above is indicative. The live move follows the current schedule, border throughput and the booking confirmation. Routing on the Iran corridor is materially affected by external factors, so confirm the best current path with us on each shipment.
Eastbound cargo from Iran falls into minerals, animal products, food and handicrafts. The first three all carry special regulatory control.
| Commodity | Usual form | Declaration and quarantine points |
|---|---|---|
| Iron ore | Lumps, fines, pellets | Declared as a mineral product with complete iron content, particle size and moisture elements. Solid-waste status must be determined; radioactivity testing requirements may apply. |
| Zinc, copper and non-ferrous ore | Zinc and copper concentrate, zinc and copper ingot | Composition and content determine the tariff heading. Concentrate and metal ingot carry different regulatory conditions, so declare the actual form accurately. |
| Sheepskin and hides | Raw sheepskin, wet blue, finished leather | Animal products requiring quarantine approval and an official veterinary (sanitary) certificate from the exporting country. Raw material from prohibited regions cannot enter. |
| Dried fruit and nuts | Pistachio, raisins, dates, almonds | Food products — overseas manufacturers must be registered. Must meet Chinese national food safety standards. Watch pesticide residue and aflatoxin testing. |
| Carpets and handicrafts | Persian carpets, tapestries, handmade goods | Declared as textiles or arts and crafts. Material composition (wool / silk) and the handmade-versus-machine distinction matter. |
| Saffron and spices | Saffron, cumin, herbs | Food or condiment products — overseas manufacturers must be registered. Must meet Chinese national food safety standards, including residue and heavy metal limits. |
Specific regulatory requirements follow current Chinese customs rules and the actual cargo on the shipment. We issue a document checklist and an admission pre-check opinion before departure.
The Iran corridor carries more compliance specificity than the other three. These six matter most.
It is, but routing needs to be confirmed shipment by shipment. Throughput at Incheh Borun and Sarakhs and the Caspian rail-sea-rail option both move with external factors, so we give you the best current path for your consignment rather than applying last time's answer. Contact us for the current schedule.
Sheepskin is an animal product, so it needs inbound animal and plant quarantine approval obtained in advance plus an official veterinary (sanitary) certificate from the exporting country. You also need a certificate of origin, contract, invoice and packing list. The disease status of the exporting country affects admission, so check the conditions and the quarantine list with us before purchasing.
Northern route via Incheh Borun about 20–25 days, Sarakhs about 22–27 days, Caspian rail-sea-rail about 25–30 days. Add 4–8 days for collection and delivery at either end for door to door. The live number follows the current corridor situation and booking confirmation.
It must be declared as a mineral product with iron content, particle size and moisture elements, and assessed for solid-waste status. Categories subject to radioactivity testing carry separate requirements. Send the assay report and we will assess feasibility before quoting.
Bank settlement for Iran is more specific, and the workable methods change with policy and banking channels. Before signing the purchase contract, confirm the settlement route with us and with your bank, and negotiate commercial terms alongside the logistics plan so the cargo flow and the money flow do not come apart.
Yes, but the overseas manufacturer must be registered with the GACC and the goods must meet Chinese national food safety standards. Pesticide residue and, for pistachio, aflatoxin are the key tests. Pre-test before the goods leave Iran so border sampling does not force a return of the cargo.