Agreement Between Customs and the Shipping Association to Improve Container Exit and Clearance Processes

Secretary General of the Shipping Association Speaks to SEA–News:
Agreement Between Customs and the Shipping Association to Improve Container Exit and Clearance Processes

In 2022, Shahid Rajaei Customs, following correspondence with several member companies of the Shipping Association, pressured these companies for allegedly failing to fulfill their legal responsibilities regarding container exits from the country and the clearance of temporary import permits. Customs had announced that if the companies failed to provide documents proving the exit of containers and settlement of commitments within a limited time frame, they would be referred to judicial authorities.

Masoud Polmeh, Secretary General of the Shipping Association, explained the association’s follow-up efforts in an interview with C-News. He stated:
“The Shipping Association initially pursued the matter in Hormozgan Province through the Customs Supervisor and followed it up diligently. Following this action, customs committed to providing the relevant information about the containers that were claimed to have not exited the country to the companies and the Shipping Association.”

He added:
“However, due to management changes in Hormozgan, the follow-up process was disrupted. Shahid Rajaei Customs claimed that around seven million containers were stuck in the country and at risk of smuggling.”

Polmeh also pointed out that due to data exchange issues between customs and the Ports Organization—which is responsible for monitoring the entry and exit of containers—customs could not obtain the necessary information from the CCS port systems to verify container exits. This situation put more pressure on shipping companies, with the threat of referring them to judicial authorities.

The Secretary General of the Shipping Association continued:
“For the past two years, shipping companies have continuously faced issues in this area, and these measures have caused serious risks in the relationship between customs and shipping companies.”

Referring to disruptions in import and export processes, he stated:
“A few months ago, access to the EPL system was blocked for some shipping companies, which seriously disrupted the export and import of goods transported by shipping.”

Masoud Polmeh emphasized:
“These concerns arose from the potential accumulation of goods at ports, failure to deliver goods to consumer markets, and ultimately, an increase in the country’s overall costs. As a result, the Shipping Association, in accordance with its legal responsibilities and in order to protect the national economy and the legal rights and interests of its members, had no choice but to escalate the issue to higher authorities.”

The Secretary General of the Shipping Association added:
“Following the association’s follow-ups and correspondence with the First Vice President, the matter was referred to the Minister of Economy, Dr. Hemmati. The Minister of Economy ordered a swift review, and on February 19, 2025, a meeting was held in Bandar Abbas with the presence of customs officials, the Ministry of Economy, and the Shipping Association.”

He highlighted that during this meeting, all raised issues and concerns were thoroughly discussed. Ultimately, it was agreed that customs would lift all restrictions and obstacles imposed on shipping companies. Additionally, it was decided that accurate information about containers that had not exited the country would be provided to the Shipping Association so that its members could review and monitor them over the next three months. Among the agreements reached was the formal introduction of a designated unit and responsible official within customs to oversee and correspond on the discussed matters.

The Secretary General of the Shipping Association concluded:
“These decisions will enable shipping companies to continue their operations legally, resolving issues related to the transport of export and import goods, as well as critical challenges in the field of transit. Meanwhile, if the issue of non-exited containers becomes evident, customs and the Shipping Association will collaborate to determine the necessary next steps.”