No bikes >250ccm / american brands allowed to enter Iran?

[traveLove]

Hi there,
we are traveling with two motorbikes (Suzuki DR650 & DR350) and planned to be in Iran for 3 months.
We heard that since this August motorbikes bigger than 250ccm and any american Brand vehicles are not allowed to enter the country any more.
We know that the „max 250ccm law“ exists since many years but we thought it did not apply to foreign bikes. It seems the situation has changed.
Does anyone know anything about it?
Has anyone entered Iran this August with a „big“ motorbike?
Thank you for any information!
Silke & Jan

[steven]

If you can point to a foreigner who did not get in with an American brand or a >250cc bike we will investigate. We haven't heard of someone like that yet. If not, we will add this law onto the pile of "rumours that turned out not to be true."

[milindktrivedi]

Dear Experts,

I am in midst of planning an overland trip from UAE to Europe and UK via Iran and Turkey.

I'd like to ship my American made Chevy Tahoe to bandar abbas in Iran and drive around for a week before exiting to Turkey by road (bazargan border).

With current geopolitical situation, is it allowed to temporarily import American vehicles in to Iran as tourist? (of course with CPD, clear title and all legal documents)

Any advise would be of great help.

Thanks in advance,
Milind

[Lovetheworld]

Cannot answer your question, but maybe your nationality makes it necessary to have a guide through Iran.

[milindktrivedi]

Thanks Lovetheworld. I am an Indian national and we don't need guide in Iran in fact visa is on arrival. What I am concerned is about the vehicle brand. As I drive Chevrolet not sure whether it's allowed to import temporarily.

[milindktrivedi]

Hello Sina,

Your reply regarding allowing American vehicles is a sigh of relief. Is there an authenticated source which says it's "allowed" to import American vehicles into Iran in temporary basis by tourist. There seems to be vague responses on various forums but no authentication.

Thanks for your response in advance.

Milind

[helikja]

We visited Iran in July 2018 with our motorcycle (Super Tenere 1200 cc) - entered via Astara border and exited via Bazargan. Our trip was really great - in spite of the extreme summer heat. Iran has so many interesting places; people are welcoming and very friendly.
Visa process was smooth and done in less than 2 weeks, thanks to Caravanistan & Key2Persia LOI and advice. Carnet de Douane was organised fast and efficiently by Touring Club Suisse. We did not have any problems on borders; all papers were in order and our luggage was not checked. Roads were good, traffic as well - and we rode also in cities (where traffic can be quite hectic especially in evenings...)

In August we got an email from Touring Club that they have stopped to issue new carnets for Iran from 23 July 2018 on. Also, the new sanctions could change the situation quickly in Iran, e.g the value of Iranian real has dropped really low (street rate could be three-four times higher than official rate).

copy of email:
Important Information – Entry into Iran forbidden for motorcycles

We inform you that the FIA (International Automobile Federation) informed us that as from end of July 2018 the temporary importation and/or traffic of the motorcycles with engine capacity of more than 250 CC, and the American brand motorcycles are forbidden into Iran.Therefore, the entry into the country will probably be denied when you will arrive at the Iranian customs with such bike.

We are really sorry for this inconvenience completely beyond our control.

Dear Colleagues in the CPD Network,
We inform you that the Touring & Automobile club of the Islamic Republic of Iran, TACI, in addition to previous updated information on high value vehicles, want to update the Network of the following two points:
1-According to the letter received from Iran’s Traffic Police dated 23 July 2018, the Temporary importation and/or trafficof the motorcycles with engine capacity of more than 250 CC, and the American brand motorcycles are forbidden.
Important Note: temporary importation of motorcycles with engine capacity of more than 250 CC is only permitted in order to use them inside the specified motorcycle tracks, and needs prior written confirmation from I.R. of Iran’s Ministry of Sport and Youth.

2- According to the letter from Iran’s Customs Administration dated 24 July 2018, the Temporary importation of sedans including brands Porsche, Hummer, Maserati, Bugatti, and VIP cars and luxury cars are forbidden.

We kindly advice all the issuing clubs not issue CPDs for such motorcycles and cars until further notice.

With kind regards

Björn Nordlund
Tourism Services Coordinator

Evelyne Macabré Droux
Responsable Documents Douaniers /Touring Club Suisse / Documents Douaniers

[email protected]

[traveLove]

We have just entered Iran yesterday with „big bikes“. No problem. Very easy border crossing, no need for any „helper“, no fees to be paid. Just a very relaxing border crossing, easier than entering Switzerland.
Silke

[TCS]

Just want to make a correction.
TCS is still issuing CPD for Iran.
We just transmitted the information from the FIA that the entry of Motorcycles with engine capacity of more than 250 CC was suspended in Iran.
But as per the feedback of several travelers, it seems that this new regulation is not applied at borders, as no entry were denied to our customers.
Evelyne

[ajay_fidelio]

HI,

I am Planning to enter Iran in June with big motorcycle, if the Temporary importation and/or traffic of the motorcycles with engine capacity of more than 250 CC is still valid. Does anyone get denied to enter with big motorbike
I read the same information on ADAC (https://www.adac.de/reise-freizeit/fahr ... s/english/)

Another question is there possible to have a transit visa (~ 7 days) if entering/existing Iran via Land. there is not much infos on duration of Transit visa on embassy website

Cheers
Ajay