Which Countries Can Transit to Pakistan Through Iran?

Iran’s strategic geographic location provides an efficient corridor for transiting goods to Pakistan. This land route is particularly important for time-sensitive cargo and shipments that need to avoid longer maritime routes.

ECO member countries that use Iran’s transit routes to Pakistan:

• Afghanistan (despite sharing a direct border with Pakistan, Iran can offer a more reliable route during occasional border disruptions)
• Azerbaijan
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Tajikistan
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan

Other non-ECO countries that commonly utilize Iran’s transit routes to Pakistan:

• Gulf countries: UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait
• European countries with transit cargo: Germany, France, Italy
• Other nations connecting through international initiatives such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) or China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

Main Iran–Pakistan Transit Routes (Road & Rail Options)

The Iran–Pakistan border offers established land transit options for FTL/LTL cargo, with the key Mirjaveh (Iran)–Taftan (Pakistan) crossing in the southeast serving as the main gateway. This corridor supports road transport primarily, with Iran’s highway network connecting southern ports like Bandar Abbas to Pakistani hubs such as Quetta and Karachi. The route provides a practical land option for regional trade, especially for shipments seeking to avoid longer maritime paths. TIR carnets are recommended for smoother customs procedures.

Road Options 

 Road transport is the main mode for flexible, door-to-door cargo. The primary route starts from southern Iranian ports via Highway 84 to Zahedan, then crosses the border at Mirjaveh into Taftan, connecting onward to Quetta via Pakistan’s N-40 highway and further to Karachi. Trucks handle standard loads and out-of-cauge (OOG) cargo under agreed protocols, and customs inspections may affect transit times. Alternative routes through Chabahar Port provide shorter access to Gwadar, but the associated rail connections are still under construction.

Rail Options

 The existing Quetta–Zahedan railway connects Pakistan to Iran and can support bulk cargo. Trains continue from Zahedan into Iran’s rail network toward major cities like Tehran. While some international initiatives, such as the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul (ITI) corridor, aim to link Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey by rail, full containerized services and consistent multimodal connections are still developing. Rail remains suitable for bulk and non-time-sensitive cargo.

Additional Notes

 Transit efficiency depends on cargo type, security, and current border conditions. While projects like the Chabahar–Zahedan railway or broader North-South Corridor integration are underway, their completion timelines affect operational reliability. Partnering with certified forwarders and using TIR documentation helps ensure smoother transport.

Required Documents for Transit Cargo to Pakistan through Iran 

Due to the complexity of customs procedures and the nature of transit, required documents vary depending on the mode of transport (road or rail) and the status of the cargo (export or transit via Iran to a third country such as Pakistan).

Here are the key documents necessary for road transit of goods to Pakistan through Iran:

?Core Transport and Customs Documents (for carriers and cargo)

These documents are essential for completing customs formalities and international transport at the Iran–Pakistan border (Mirjaveh–Taftan):

?Commercial and Cargo Documents

These documents verify the nature, value, and origin of the goods for customs authorities in both countries:

• Commercial Invoice: Details seller, buyer, cargo type, quantity, and value for duty and tax calculation.
• Packing List: Provides a detailed list of contents, net and gross weight, number of packages, and dimensions.
• Certificate of Origin: Issued by the Chamber of Commerce of the country of origin (e.g., Iran or a third country) to confirm the nationality of the goods.
• Cargo Insurance Policy: Covers potential risks during transit.

?Specialized Permits and Certificates (if applicable)

Required only for certain cargo types:

• Health and quarantine permits: Required for food, agricultural products, live animals, seeds, and animal-derived goods, issued by relevant veterinary or health authorities. Perishable items under these categories typically require cold chain logistics, including temperature-controlled transport and storage to maintain quality and safety during transit.
• Technical and standards certificates: For industrial equipment, electrical goods, or chemicals subject to Iranian and Pakistani standards.
• Special permits: For controlled goods such as hazardous goods, pharmaceuticals, or military/security items.

? Driver and Vehicle Documents (for road transport)

These documents must accompany the driver and truck for transit cargo to Pakistan through Iran:

• Passport and visa: Valid passport and Pakistani visa (and Iranian visa if the driver is foreign).
• International Driving Permit (IDP): Valid license for cross-border driving.
• Vehicle registration and approval certificates: International vehicle registration and Certificate of Approval confirming compliance with TIR standards.
• Transit plate: Valid international transit plate for trucks traveling through Iran and Pakistan.

Important Note:
Due to continuous updates in customs procedures, the best way to ensure complete and correct documentation in 2025 is to consult a reputable international freight forwarder or official customs broker in Iran or Pakistan. They can provide the latest guidelines and technical requirements, including electronic submission via the EPL system.

Step-by-Step Road Transit of Goods from Iran to Pakistan

The following step-by-step outline describes the standard road transit process for international shipments moving from Iran to Pakistan under the TIR Carnet system, which is the simplest and most common method for such transit.

Part 1: Entry into Iran and Transit Initiation

1. Cargo Arrival and Unloading (if applicable)

Goods, typically containerized but sometimes transported as bulk or standard commercial shipments, arrive at the first Iranian customs entry point, usually Shahid Rajaee Port (Bandar Abbas) or other border/air customs. If arriving by sea, cargo is unloaded from the vessel and moved to designated customs areas or approved storage facilities.

2. 2. Transit Declaration and Permit
   The international freight forwarder submits the core documents—including waybill, invoice, packing list, TIR Carnet, and Certificate of Origin—to the Iranian customs authority. The Electronic Transit Declaration is registered in Iran’s EPL system, specifying the final transit route (e.g., Bandar Abbas → Mirjaveh). For cargo under TIR, additional customs guarantees are generally not required, as the TIR Carnet itself acts as a financial and procedural guarantee. The transit permit is issued once documentation is verified.

3. 3. Cargo Inspection, Loading, and Sealing
   Trucks or containers undergo physical checks or X-ray scanning to ensure consistency with the transit declaration. After inspection, containers are sealed using standard TIR customs seals to guarantee that cargo remains untampered during transit. An expected arrival time at the exit customs (Mirjaveh) is established.

Part 2: Domestic Transit within Iran

4. 4. Road Transport to Exit Border
   The truck departs the origin customs (e.g., Bandar Abbas or Tehran) and follows the designated route—typically Highway 84 toward Zahedan. Cargo movement is monitored under customs supervision, and for some shipments, GPS tracking may be used, although it is not universally applied to all TIR shipments. Drivers carry the transit permit and TIR Carnet, including the customs-stamped first page.
5. 5. Arrival at Mirjaveh Exit Customs
   At Mirjaveh, the truck undergoes final checks. Customs verifies all documentation (transit permit and TIR Carnet) and inspects seals. Upon approval, Iranian customs closes the domestic transit permit (Exit) and stamps the relevant page in the TIR Carnet, preparing the shipment for official border crossing into Pakistan.

Part 3: Border Crossing and Entry into Pakistan

6. 6. Crossing the Land Border
   The truck proceeds through the neutral zone to the Pakistani entry gate at Taftan.
7. 7. Entry at Taftan Customs (Pakistan)
   Pakistani customs officials review driver, vehicle, and TIR documents. They confirm TIR procedures by stamping the TIR Carnet to record entry into Pakistan. Physical inspections may be conducted based on Pakistan’s Risk Management System or security requirements. For some shipments, additional customs seals are applied to secure transit within Pakistan.
8. 8. Delivery to Final Destination in Pakistan
   The truck continues domestic transport from Taftan to main destinations such as Quetta, Karachi, or Gwadar. At the final customs point, the consignee completes import clearance procedures, pays applicable duties, and the customs seals are removed, allowing delivery of goods.

Key Notes:

• While TIR simplifies border procedures, some cargo types (bulk, hazardous, or special commodities) may have additional requirements.
• GPS monitoring is used selectively; it is not mandatory for all trucks.
• Seals in Pakistan may not be applied to every shipment, only when required for security or long internal transit under customs supervision.

The Critical Role of Iranian Freight Forwarders in Transit Success

Successfully navigating the Iran–Pakistan transit route requires a deep understanding of evolving customs regulations, complex documentation management (especially the TIR Carnet and Declarations), and precise coordination at the Mirjaveh–Taftan border crossing. The role of an Iranian Freight Forwarder or intermediary logistics company is to act as your primary liaison. These firms resolve potential logistical vulnerabilities by providing comprehensive services, including electronic document preparation (EPL), truck monitoring along the domestic route, and final clearance management. This level of expertise is essential to ensure your cargo crosses this strategic corridor without delays or penalties. If you are looking for a reliable partner with a strong track record in transit cargo to Pakistan through Iran, we recommend contacting SASCO for specialized services and up-to-date consultation.