How to Import from Turkey to Iraq in 2026: Customs Tariff, Certificate of Conformity, Kurdistan and Shipping

Short answer: most Turkish goods reach Iraq by truck through the Habur–Ibrahim Khalil border crossing. Before shipping you need a registered importing company, a pre-shipment Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for regulated products, and a certificate of origin and invoice that are legalised and verified electronically. Since 1 January 2026 federal Iraq applies its full customs tariff (bands from 0.5% to 30%), calculated on official reference values per HS code rather than on your invoice price. Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region apply different rules, so decide early where the goods will be sold.

This guide covers what is specific to Iraq. For the general process — finding and verifying a factory, samples, contracts — read our step-by-step guide to importing from Turkey.

Iraq import requirements at a glance

ItemWhat applies to Turkish goods Two marketsFederal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region (KRG) have separate licences, inspection bodies and tariff levels Customs dutyFederal tariff from 1 Jan 2026: 0.5%–30% by HS code, on reference values, plus protective duties on listed goods. No preferential rate for Turkey Conformity (federal)Pre-shipment CoC under COSQC for regulated goods (food, chemicals, engineering goods, textiles, construction materials), from an authorised inspection company Conformity (KRG)Intertek CoC for clothing and leather, vehicle parts and tyres, and iron and steel sheet; other goods inspected at the border DocumentsInvoice, packing list, certificate of origin, CMR or bill of lading, CoC, import licence; consular legalisation still demanded; ASYCUDA e-verification since July 2026 Main routeRoad via Habur–Ibrahim Khalil (over 80% of Turkish goods); sea via Umm Qasr for the south PaymentBank transfers need Central Bank of Iraq approval through the importer's bank; advance payment is common

Step 1: Federal Iraq or Kurdistan?

This decision changes almost everything that follows. In federal Iraq a company is registered with the Ministry of Trade and obtains an import licence; foreign ownership of a local company is limited to 49%. The Kurdistan Region has its own company registration (100% foreign ownership allowed) and issues its own import licences.

Goods that enter through Ibrahim Khalil and stay in the Kurdistan Region pay the KRG's own, lower tariff. Goods heading on to Baghdad, Basra and the rest of federal Iraq are now processed in ASYCUDA under the federal tariff, and federal checkpoints may not accept inspection results issued in the KRG. If your customers are in Baghdad or the south, plan the shipment as a federal import from the start.

Step 2: Get the Certificate of Conformity before loading

Federal Iraq: COSQC (the Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control) requires a pre-shipment Certificate of Conformity for regulated product groups, including food, chemicals, engineering goods, textiles and construction materials. It is issued by authorised inspection companies such as Bureau Veritas, Intertek, Applus, TÜV Austria and TÜV Rheinland. The list of applicable standards was updated in June 2025 (adding products such as reinforcing steel bar, clay bricks, sugar and olive oil). Inspection and testing are quoted per shipment.

Kurdistan Region: Intertek is the appointed CoC provider for three groups — clothing and leather goods, vehicle spare parts and tyres, and iron and steel sheet. Other goods are inspected and sampled at the border crossing. Medicines, supplements and medical devices require prior registration with the KRG's medical control authority.

Ask your Turkish supplier early which inspection company they have worked with for Iraq; experienced exporters usually have a routine for it.

Step 3: Understand the 2026 customs tariff

• Since 1 January 2026 (Cabinet Decision 957/2025), federal Iraq applies its full HS-based tariff instead of the old flat container fees. Rates range from about 0.5% for essential foods to 10–15% for appliances and 20–30% for luxury goods, with additional protective duties on listed products.
• Duty is calculated on an official reference unit value for each HS code, not on the price in your invoice. A low invoice does not reduce your duty.
• Iraq's HS classification does not always match Turkey's. Agree the correct code with your Iraqi broker before you quote prices to customers.
• Turkey has no free trade agreement with Iraq, so no preferential rate applies.

Step 4: Documents, legalisation and ASYCUDA

• Commercial invoice and packing list
• Certificate of origin from the Turkish exporter's chamber of commerce — since April 2026 it must show the invoice number and date
• CMR road consignment note (or bill of lading by sea)
• Certificate of Conformity where required
• Import licence

Iraqi customs still ask for the certificate of origin to be legalised by the Iraqi consulate, even for Turkish e-certificates with QR codes. If documents arrive unlegalised, customs may take a cash deposit that is forfeited if legalisation is not completed in time. Since July 2026, the certificate of origin and invoice must also be verified electronically through ASYCUDA; unverified documents can suspend the declaration. Our import documents checklist explains each document.

Step 5: Choose the route

• Road via Habur–Ibrahim Khalil: the main route, carrying over 80% of Turkish exports to Iraq. Turkish trucks generally cannot travel beyond Erbil, so goods for Mosul, Baghdad or Basra are transferred to Iraqi trucks. Forwarders quote a few days to Erbil and longer for the south, depending on border queues.
• Sea via Umm Qasr: useful for heavy cargo bound for Basra and the south. The port went through backlogs during the 2026 customs changes, so ask your forwarder about current clearance times.
• Development Road: the planned rail and road corridor from Faw port to the Turkish border is not operational yet; the first phase is targeted for around 2028.

Find freight forwarders in Istanbul on Dalil Turkey, and read our case study on importing Turkish steel into Iraq.

Step 6: Plan the payment

International transfers from Iraq go through the importer's bank and require Central Bank of Iraq approval, with trade documents attached. Rules on dollar transfers have tightened since 2023 and continue to change, and some Turkish bank branches in Iraq currently transfer only in euros. Many Turkish exporters ask Iraqi buyers for payment in advance. Agree the currency and channel with your bank before signing the contract, and never pay a supplier you have not verified — see how to verify a Turkish company.

The 5 most common mistakes

1. Treating Kurdistan and federal Iraq as one market — different inspection bodies, tariffs and licences.
2. Calculating duty on the invoice value instead of Iraq's reference value, or using the wrong HS code.
3. Loading without a CoC, or with a CoC from the wrong body for the destination.
4. Skipping consular legalisation or ASYCUDA e-verification of the certificate of origin and invoice.
5. Arranging payment outside the banking system, which creates problems with dollar access and customs valuation under the 2026 rules.

Frequently asked questions

What is the customs duty on Turkish goods in Iraq?

Since 1 January 2026 federal Iraq charges between about 0.5% and 30% depending on the HS code, calculated on official reference values, plus protective duties on some products. Goods that stay in the Kurdistan Region pay the KRG's lower tariff.

Do I need a certificate of conformity to export from Turkey to Iraq?

For regulated products, yes. Federal Iraq requires a COSQC Certificate of Conformity from an authorised inspection company before shipment. In the Kurdistan Region, clothing and leather, vehicle parts and tyres, and steel sheet need an Intertek CoC; other goods are inspected at the border.

How long does shipping from Turkey to Iraq take?

By truck through Habur–Ibrahim Khalil, a few days to Erbil and longer to Baghdad or Basra, depending on border queues and transloading. Sea freight to Umm Qasr takes longer but suits heavy cargo for the south.

Is there a free trade agreement between Turkey and Iraq?

No. Turkish goods pay Iraq's standard tariff.

Find Turkish suppliers for the Iraqi market

Iraq is one of Turkey's largest export markets, and many Turkish factories already know Iraqi requirements. Dalil Turkey lists Turkish manufacturers with Arabic and English profiles — compare them on the Turkish B2B marketplace, or post your requirement on the buyer requests board.

Last checked: November 2026. Iraqi customs rules changed several times in 2025–2026; confirm the current tariff, CoC and document rules with a licensed Iraqi customs broker before you ship.