Due to its unique geographical position, Iran has always been recognized as one of the main crossroads of global trade. Access to the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, the Caspian Sea, numerous land borders with neighboring countries, and railway lines connected to Central Asia and Europe have made a wide variety of transportation methods available for export and import of goods.
Choosing the right mode of transportation has a direct impact on cost, speed, security, and delivery quality. In this article, we will review the different transportation methods to and from Iran, their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and the key points for selecting the most suitable option.
Table of content
Maritime Transport
Importance of Maritime Transport Maritime transport is one of the most widely used methods for Iran’s foreign trade, as more than 90% of global trade in goods is carried out by sea. Iran’s ports such as Shahid Rajaee Port (the largest container port in Iran), Imam Khomeini Port, Bushehr Port, Chabahar Port, and Anzali Port play a key role in exports and imports.
Advantages
Lower cost compared to air transport
Ability to move large volumes and weights
Access to Asian, European, and African markets
Multiple options (containerized, bulk, tanker)
Disadvantages
Longer transit time compared to air transport
Vulnerability to weather and political conditions
More extensive customs formalities
Air Transport
Importance of Air Transport For time-sensitive, valuable, and low-volume goods, air transport is the best option. Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) is the main hub for air cargo in Iran.
Advantages
High delivery speed
Greater security for sensitive goods
Suitable for perishable, pharmaceutical, and electronic products
Disadvantages
Very high cost
Weight and volume restrictions
Legal restrictions for certain shipments
Road Transport
Iran’s Land Routes Iran shares borders with 15 countries. Its key land routes for export and import include borders with Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan.
Advantages
Suitable for neighboring countries
High flexibility for small and medium shipments
Lower cost compared to air transport
Disadvantages
Slower than air transport
Road and security risks in some regions
Limited capacity for heavy and oversized cargo
Importance of Rail Transport in Iran
Iran’s railway network connects to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. Through North–South and East–West corridors, it allows cargo movement to Europe and China.
In many cases, relying on a single mode of transport is not enough. Combining sea–road or air–road can optimize both cost and speed.
Examples
Shipping goods from China to Bandar Abbas (sea) and then transporting them to Iraq (road)
Importing medicine from Europe to Tehran (air) and distributing domestically (road)
Transport Method
Speed
Cost
Capacity
Security
Sea
Low
Low
Very High
Medium
Air
Very High
Very High
Limited
High
Road
Medium
Medium
Medium
Medium
Rail
Medium
Low
High
High
Multimodal
Variable
Optimized
Variable
Variable
Regulations and Requirements for Export and Import in Iran
Compliance with customs tariffs
Obtaining permits from the Ministry of Industry, Health, Agriculture, and Central Bank
Use of shipping documents (Bill of Lading, Airway Bill, CMR, Railway Consignment Note)
Adherence to international transport conventions such as CMR, COTIF, IMO
Key Factors in Choosing a Transport Method
Nature of goods (perishable, oversized, hazardous, valuable)
Destination and route
Required delivery time
Budget and transport cost
Logistic infrastructure of the destination country
Future of Transport in Iran
Given Iran’s geopolitical location, the development of the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and infrastructure projects such as Chabahar Port and railways to Central Asia promise a bright future for Iran’s transport sector.
Conclusion
Iran, due to its unique geographical position, uses four main transport methods—maritime, air, road, and rail—for exports and imports. Each has its advantages and limitations, and the choice of the best method depends on the type of goods, destination, budget, and timing. In many cases, multimodal transport can provide the most optimized solution for international trade.
Due to its unique geographical position, Iran has always been recognized as one of the main crossroads of global trade. Access to the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, the Caspian Sea, numerous land borders with neighboring countries, and railway lines connected to Central Asia and Europe have made a wide variety of transportation methods available for export and import of goods.
Choosing the right mode of transportation has a direct impact on cost, speed, security, and delivery quality. In this article, we will review the different transportation methods to and from Iran, their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and the key points for selecting the most suitable option.
