Industry Ministry spokesman says individuals cannot import new cars, with overlapping laws complicating imports

The spokesman for Iran's Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade said on Monday 27 July 2026 that individuals cannot import new cars, adding that the sheer number of overlapping laws has made vehicle imports complicated.

According to the same report, the remaining route for imports by individuals is the mechanism for Iranians resident abroad, under which each eligible person may bring one vehicle into the country. Commercial imports of new cars are not available to ordinary individuals.

The comments come as Iran's domestic car market shows a wide gap between factory and open-market prices; according to reports this week, the gap for the Dena Plus automatic had reached 208 million tomans. Reports on Monday 27 July 2026 also said about 10,000 vehicles remain in limbo at ports and customs offices in Hormozgan province.