Mistake 1: mixing up the two model-year rules
The most common confusion. Rule one decides whether a car can be IMPORTED: under five years old, currently model 2022+, stepping up every January. Rule two decides how far a free-zone car may be DRIVEN: model 2011+ with a permanent Kish/Qeshm plate and permit, across Hormozgan. Both are model-year rules, fifteen years apart, and completely unrelated.
Mistake 2: the 'free zone now, national plate later' trap
Converting to a national plate is a second import with full duty, VAT and certificates. On an AED 60,000 car the convert-later route totals about AED 141,000 while importing straight to the mainland was about 117,000. If the destination is Tehran's streets, price the mainland route from day one.
Mistake 3: treating a free-zone plate like a national plate
It is not one. Since the mid-2026 decision a permanent Kish or Qeshm plate is valid across Hormozgan province — beyond it only the limited temporary pass exists, and extending the scheme to other provinces remains a proposal.
Mistake 4: back-of-envelope VAT
VAT is 10% — of CIF PLUS duty, not of the car price. That one detail pushes real bills thousands of dirhams above the guess. Fixed fees (export handling, clearance agent, and on the mainland plates and inland transport) sit on top.
Mistake 5: buying before checking the window
- USD 8,000 reported minimum (advisory, not a confirmed rule) — no value ceiling any more
- No cc cap — petrol duty 6% up to 2500cc, 8% to 3000cc, 10% above
- No American marques, no banned supercar list — Korean brands are back in
- Model 2022 or newer — and mind the January step
Mistake 6: ignoring the unlisted costs
The zone's own charges (standards, environment, plate, third-party insurance, municipal fees), storage if clearance drags, inspection repairs, and the real exchange rate — none are in the base tariffs and all vary by zone. These are for quoting, not guessing.
Mistake 7: skipping the pre-shipping inspection
A fault discovered after arrival costs multiples to fix and can stall the inspection file. A full inspection in Dubai before purchase is the cheapest insurance you can buy.
Frequently asked
Which free zones do these rules cover?
Seven: Kish, Qeshm, Chabahar, Aras, Anzali, Arvand and Maku.
What does shipping from Dubai cost?
Ro-ro about AED 3,200, container about AED 5,200; marine insurance 1.5% of the car price.
Hybrid or petrol?
If both fit your budget window, a hybrid gets 4–5% free-zone duty against 6–10% for petrol depending on engine size — and neither carries a value cap any more.
Where do I see a specific car's landed cost?
The Iran import calculator on every car page of our catalogue runs these formulas on that car's price: cars.alghafat.com/tools/iran-import
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules change — confirm your own position with a qualified professional before deciding.
