Iran border and trade-gateway guide
This page separates land borders, border markets, maritime terminals, rail infrastructure and services that can actually be booked.
Border opening, customs hours, cargo acceptance, truck queues, train plans and vessel capacity are real-time facts. Inclusion here does not guarantee that a terminal is open today or accepts every cargo. Obtain current confirmation from customs, the terminal and route operators before dispatch.
How to read the data
“Rail” can mean three different things: continuous connection to Iran’s national network; a foreign-gauge spur inside a terminal without national-network connection, as at Lotfabad; or cross-border infrastructure with intermittent service, as at Mirjaveh. Each gateway page states the applicable case.
Incomplete projects and missing links
Rasht–Astara, Shalamcheh–Basra and Chabahar–Zahedan must not be presented as continuous operating lines until a dated commissioning notice confirms the relevant section. Caspian Port has been connected to the Rasht line since June 2024, but that is not the same as Bandar Anzali or the unfinished Rasht–Astara link.
Terminals and connection type
Coordinates mark an approximate operating area. Obtain current directions for truck gates, weighbridges and customs yards.
| Gateway | Type | External connection/water body | Province | Modes | Rail status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BazarganInternational terminal | International terminal | Türkiye | West Azerbaijan | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| RaziInternational terminal | International terminal | Türkiye | West Azerbaijan | Rail | Cross-border rail infrastructure connects Razi with Kapıköy and the Turkish network; current freight or passenger schedules require operator confirmation. |
| SeroInternational terminal | International terminal | Türkiye | West Azerbaijan | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| NorduzInternational terminal | International terminal | Armenia | East Azerbaijan | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| JolfaInternational terminal | International terminal | Azerbaijan (Nakhchivan) | East Azerbaijan | Road · Rail | The Jolfa rail branch connects to Tabriz and the national network. |
| PoldashtInternational terminal | International terminal | Azerbaijan (Nakhchivan) | West Azerbaijan | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| AstaraInternational terminal | International terminal | Azerbaijan | Gilan | Road · Rail | A border rail terminal exists on the Azerbaijan side connection; continuous domestic linkage depends on completing Rasht–Astara, and current terminal service must be confirmed. |
| Bileh SavarInternational terminal | International terminal | Azerbaijan | Ardabil | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| Incheh BorunInternational terminal | International terminal | Turkmenistan | Golestan | Road · Rail | Cross-border rail infrastructure and a 1,435/1,520 mm gauge interface connect Iran with the KTI route; train plans require operator confirmation. |
| BajgiranInternational terminal | International terminal | Turkmenistan | Razavi Khorasan | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| LotfabadInternational terminal | International terminal | Turkmenistan | Razavi Khorasan | Road · Rail | Turkmen 1,520 mm track enters the border terminal, but it is not connected to Iran’s 1,435 mm national rail network; cargo therefore uses terminal transfer or multimodal handling. Availability must be confirmed. |
| SarakhsInternational terminal | International terminal | Turkmenistan | Razavi Khorasan | Road · Rail | Cross-border rail infrastructure includes gauge-transfer facilities; current capacity and train acceptance require operator confirmation. |
| DogharounInternational terminal | International terminal | Afghanistan | Razavi Khorasan | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| MahirudInternational terminal | International terminal | Afghanistan | South Khorasan | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| MilakInternational terminal | International terminal | Afghanistan | Sistan and Baluchestan | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| MirjavehInternational terminal | International terminal | Pakistan | Sistan and Baluchestan | Road · Rail | Cross-border rail infrastructure continues toward Taftan and Quetta across a gauge break; actual train operation is intermittent and must be confirmed. |
| RimdanInternational terminal | International terminal | Pakistan | Sistan and Baluchestan | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| TamarchinInternational terminal | International terminal | Iraq | West Azerbaijan | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| BashmaqInternational terminal | International terminal | Iraq | Kurdistan | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| Parviz KhanInternational terminal | International terminal | Iraq | Kermanshah | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| KhosraviInternational terminal | International terminal | Iraq | Kermanshah | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| SomarInternational terminal | International terminal | Iraq | Kermanshah | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| MehranInternational terminal | International terminal | Iraq | Ilam | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| ChazabehInternational terminal | International terminal | Iraq | Khuzestan | Road | Road terminal; no direct rail crossing at the gateway. |
| ShalamchehInternational terminal | International terminal | Iraq | Khuzestan | Road | The Shalamcheh–Basra cross-border railway is under development and is not shown as an active line. |
| Port of AstaraCommercial port | Commercial port | Caspian Sea | Gilan | Sea · Road | No direct rail spur enters this port terminal; hinterland cargo transfer is by road. |
| Port of AnzaliCommercial port | Commercial port | Caspian Sea | Gilan | Sea · Road | No direct port rail spur; the national network reaches the Rasht hinterland. |
| Caspian Port ComplexCommercial port | Commercial port | Caspian Sea | Gilan | Sea · Road · Rail | The Rasht–Caspian line reached the port complex and entered operation in June 2024; current train slots and cargo acceptance require confirmation. |
| Port of NowshahrCommercial port | Commercial port | Caspian Sea | Mazandaran | Sea · Road | No direct rail spur enters this port terminal; hinterland cargo transfer is by road. |
| Amirabad PortCommercial port | Commercial port | Caspian Sea | Mazandaran | Sea · Road · Rail | An active port rail connection links directly to the national network. |
| Imam Khomeini PortCommercial port | Commercial port | Persian Gulf | Khuzestan | Sea · Road · Rail | Active direct port rail link to Ahvaz and the national network. |
| Khorramshahr PortCommercial port | Commercial port | Arvand waterway / Persian Gulf | Khuzestan | Sea · Road · Rail | Connected to the Khuzestan rail network and the Ahvaz axis. |
| Bushehr PortCommercial port | Commercial port | Persian Gulf | Bushehr | Sea · Road | No direct rail spur enters this port terminal; hinterland cargo transfer is by road. |
| Assaluyeh TerminalsCommercial port | Commercial port | Persian Gulf | Bushehr | Sea · Road | No direct rail spur enters these terminals; mainland hinterland access is by road and specialized pipeline systems serve energy cargo. |
| Kharg TerminalCommercial port | Commercial port | Persian Gulf | Bushehr | Sea | Island terminal without rail access. |
| Shahid Rajaee PortCommercial port | Commercial port | Persian Gulf / Strait of Hormuz | Hormozgan | Sea · Road · Rail | Active direct port rail link to Bafq and the national network. |
| Bandar Lengeh PortCommercial port | Commercial port | Persian Gulf | Hormozgan | Sea · Road | No direct rail spur enters this port terminal; hinterland cargo transfer is by road. |
| Qeshm Kaveh PortCommercial port | Commercial port | Persian Gulf | Hormozgan | Sea · Road | Island port without a direct national-rail connection; road movement is within Qeshm and mainland transfer requires a maritime leg. |
| Shahid Beheshti, ChabaharCommercial port | Commercial port | Gulf of Oman | Sistan and Baluchestan | Sea · Road | Primary access is currently by road; the Chabahar–Zahedan rail connection is under development. |
| PishinInternational terminal | International terminal | Pakistan | Sistan and Baluchestan | Road | Road trade gateway; no direct rail connection. |
| Kileh, SardashtBorder market | International terminal | Iraq (Kurdistan Region) | West Azerbaijan | Road | Road border market; no direct rail connection. |
| Siranband, BanehBorder market | International terminal | Iraq (Kurdistan Region) | Kurdistan | Road | Road border market; no direct rail connection. |
| Sheikh SalehBorder market | International terminal | Iraq (Kurdistan Region) | Kermanshah | Road | Road border market; no direct rail connection. |
| ShushmiBorder market | International terminal | Iraq (Kurdistan Region) | Kermanshah | Road | Mountain road border market; no direct rail connection. |
| Shahid Bahonar PortCommercial port | Commercial port | Persian Gulf / Strait of Hormuz | Hormozgan | Sea · Road | Primary urban access is by road; Shahid Rajaee is the region’s principal rail-served container gateway. |
| Neka Oil Terminaloil_terminal | Commercial port | Caspian Sea | Mazandaran | Sea · Road | Specialized energy terminal; national rail access is available in the wider Neka–Behshahr area. |
| Lavan Oil Terminaloil_terminal | Commercial port | Persian Gulf | Hormozgan | Sea | Island energy terminal; no direct road or rail connection to the mainland. |
Commercial checks before choosing a gateway
- Technical and commercial goods description and proposed HS code
- Export, import or transit eligibility and standards, health, quarantine or export-control permits
- Weight, dimensions, packing, dangerous/perishable/temperature status and compatibility with equipment
- Origin, destination, Incoterm, value, payment, insurance and each party’s responsibility
- Customs and terminal hours, holidays on both sides, queues, capacity and driver/vehicle restrictions
- Alternative routing and detention, transfer, bogie-exchange or mode-change costs
Free zone versus mainland Iran
A company or cargo being in a free zone does not by itself create duty-free entry into mainland Iran. Activity, tax treatment and goods entry depend on registration, permits, customs procedure and applicable law; tax, customs and zone authorities make the final determination.
Base authorities for final checks
Key questions before trade or transport starts
These answers are a decision framework. Each file still requires current cargo, party, document and regulatory review.
Is an HS code enough?
No. The proposed code must be checked against the technical description, material, use, composition, model and catalogue. Customs and competent authorities make the final classification and requirement decisions.
What makes an estimate usable?
Exact origin and destination, weight, dimensions, units, packing, value and currency, Incoterm, cargo-ready date, HS code, temperature or dangerous-goods status and available permits. Missing data produces only a conditional estimate.
Which documents are normally reviewed?
Proforma or invoice, packing list, contract, origin evidence, transport document and insurance, plus product-specific standards, health, quarantine, environmental or other permits where applicable.
Does a free zone mean duty-free entry into Iran?
No. Entry into the zone and commercial entry into mainland Iran are different procedures. Mainland entry may require order registration, permits, declaration, valuation, duties and taxes.
Are a direct route and transit time guaranteed?
Only after every route operator confirms the booking. Train or vessel plans, terminal capacity, border queues, holidays, weather, quarantine and inspections can change the route or timing.
How are payment and counterparties checked?
Legal identity, signing authority, registration, beneficial ownership, banks, countries, cargo and end use should be screened before commitment. Screening does not guarantee payment or performance.