Farrud Asgari, the head of Iran Customs, in an interview with Mehr News reporter regarding the latest status of the country’s trade, said: The total volume of foreign trade in the first four months of the current year reached 34 billion and 175 million dollars, equivalent to 61 million tons. Of this amount, 48 million tons of exported goods worth 16 billion and 500 million dollars, which compared to the same period last year, has a negative growth of 5 percent. The country’s imports during this period were recorded at 17 million and 600 thousand tons worth 17 billion and 600 million dollars.
He added: The main exported goods include natural gas with exports of approximately 1.3 billion dollars, liquefied gas one billion dollars, followed by methanol, butane, and petroleum gases with exports of 789 million and 914 million dollars, respectively. Petrochemical exports in the first four months were 6 billion and 900 million dollars, showing a 10 percent decrease compared to the same period last year.
The Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance said: The main destinations for the country’s exported goods are China with 4.5 billion dollars, Iraq with 3 billion dollars, and the United Arab Emirates with 2.1 billion dollars. After that, Turkey with 1.6 billion dollars, Afghanistan with 79 million dollars, Pakistan with 603 million dollars, and Oman with 591 million dollars are in the next ranks.
He added: The main imported goods of the country include gold bullion worth one billion dollars, animal feed corn 1.1 billion dollars, rice 688 million dollars equivalent to 634 thousand tons, sunflower seed oil 132 million dollars, soybeans 569 million dollars, mobile phones 504 million dollars, wheat 344 million dollars, barley 310 million dollars, and sesame and soybeans 212 million dollars.
Asgari said: The main countries of origin for Iran’s imports include the United Arab Emirates with 5.4 billion dollars, China with 4.5 billion dollars, and Turkey with 2.5 billion dollars, followed by Germany, Russia, and the Netherlands.
Construction of the customs building at the previous location has begun
He added: After the recent incident in some ports, customs systems and activities of imports, exports, and foreign transit have returned to normal, and there are no particular problems. The only damage was to administrative buildings, which was managed with the cooperation of the Ports Authority. Activities resumed from the second day of the incident, and goods clearance is done through online declarations.
The head of Iran Customs said: The responsibility of customs begins from the time of goods declaration. We are responsible for carrying out all legal formalities, including collecting entry fees and necessary permits. Any delay in the delivery of goods is investigated based on the responsibility area of customs or the relevant permit-issuing organizations.
He emphasized: The abandonment of tender formalities and the construction of the customs building at the previous location have begun and are being pursued. Our goal is to continue activities with minimal problems and maximum speed.
