Iran and EAEU Eliminated Duties on 87 Percent of Goods
Exporters now operate under a new free trade agreement that removes customs duties for the vast majority of goods.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in International Trade
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A comprehensive free trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union took effect in May 2025, eliminating customs duties on 87 percent of bilateral trade goods. This policy shift streamlines market access for businesses operating within Iran and the EAEU member states of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia.
Why it matters
The removal of tariffs reduces landed costs for cross-border transactions and incentivizes private sector cooperation across the 180-million-person EAEU market. By standardizing duty-free status for the bulk of goods, the agreement lowers entry barriers for firms seeking to establish or expand supply chains in these regions.
The free trade agreement covers 87 percent of goods in bilateral trade, providing a unified regulatory framework across a market of 180 million people in EAEU member states. The exact volume of trade affected by the remaining duties is not currently available.
The players
Eurasian Economic Union
An economic bloc comprising Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia that manages a unified market for member states.
Eurasian Economic Commission
The regulatory body responsible for implementing trade agreements and managing customs policy across the EAEU member states.
Iran's Trade Promotion Organization
The state entity charged with expanding Iran's non-oil exports and managing commercial ties with international trade partners.
The details
The agreement simplifies operations by removing tariffs that previously hindered bilateral price competitiveness. To leverage these changes, companies must align their shipping and classification protocols with the new duty-free schedules negotiated through the Eurasian Economic Commission. Facilitation continues through joint economic committees that oversee the ongoing implementation of these trade rules.
Timeline
May 2025: The free trade agreement came into force.
Mid-September 2026: Iran's Finance Minister met with Eurasian Economic Commission officials in Moscow.
October 2026: Iran's Trade Promotion Organization head met with the EAEU Trade Minister.
Coming months: Tehran is scheduled to host the second joint committee working group meeting.
Market Landscape
This agreement extends the regional integration initiated by the 2015 launch of the Eurasian Economic Union. It signals a shift toward formalizing trade links with observer nations to broaden the bloc's reach beyond its core member states.
Businesses should audit their current duty classifications to determine if their products fall within the 87 percent category now exempt from customs fees. Consult with trade counsel to verify if your specific goods qualify for the current duty-free status.
The takeaway
The elimination of duties on the majority of goods provides a significant opening for firms to recalibrate their regional pricing and distribution strategies. Operators should monitor the upcoming joint committee meeting in Tehran for further policy adjustments or adjustments to the exempted goods list.
What happens next
Tehran is expected to host the second meeting of the Iran-EAEU joint committee in the coming months, which will address further implementation details for the agreement.
Further reading
For broader insights on regional commerce, visit the International Trade section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tehran Times.
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