Trade desk

Practical information for trade between Iran and China: route options, the status of the main routes, reference exchange rates, the time at both ends and dates that slow trade. Each section shows its date or source.

Route planner

Choose where the goods start and end to see the usual routes, transit times and documents. The planner does not quote prices: we confirm routing and cost in writing for each trade.

RailOperating

Strait of HormuzSeverely restricted

RailSeaMain freight routes between China and Iran. Routes are schematic.

Route options

Rail through Central Asia

Operating

ShanghaiBy train from Shanghai, or by truck to a rail hub such as Xi'an.
Khorgos or AlashankouLeave China. Containers move to the wider track gauge used in Central Asia.
Kazakhstan and TurkmenistanTransit through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan; some services also cross Uzbekistan.
Sarakhs or Incheh BorunEnter Iran. Containers move back to standard gauge.
TehranArrive at Aprin dry port, near Tehran, for customs clearance.

Transit: About two to three weeks, terminal to terminal.
Usual Incoterms: FCA, CPT or DAP

Documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Certificate of origin
Rail consignment note (SMGS)
Iranian import order registration, completed before the goods ship
Inspection or conformity certificate where Iranian standards apply

Before you commit

From November to February, winter weather on the Central Asian lines can add several days to transit.
Freight space is limited in the weeks before Chinese New Year (6 February 2027). Book early.

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Sea through the Strait of Hormuz

Severely restricted

ShanghaiLoad on a container vessel.
Strait of MalaccaThrough the Strait of Malacca and across the Indian Ocean.
Strait of HormuzThrough the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf.
Bandar AbbasDischarge and customs clearance at Shahid Rajaee port.
TehranBy rail to Aprin dry port (about two days), or by road.

Transit: Normally three to four weeks, port to port, when the route is open. See the route status.
Usual Incoterms: FCA, CPT or CIP for containers; FOB, CFR or CIF for bulk cargo

Documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Certificate of origin
Bill of lading
Iranian import order registration, completed before the goods ship
Inspection or conformity certificate where Iranian standards apply

Before you commit

Most major container lines are not routing through the Strait of Hormuz at present. Ask us before you plan cargo on this route.
Freight space is limited in the weeks before Chinese New Year (6 February 2027). Book early.

Start an enquiry with this route

Corridor status

What is moving now on the main routes, with sources.

Rail: China – Central Asia – Iran
Exit China at Khorgos or Alashankou, cross Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan (some services also cross Uzbekistan), enter Iran at Sarakhs or Incheh Borun
Operating
Container trains run from Xi'an and other Chinese rail hubs to Tehran. The first block train on the route through Uzbekistan departed on 7 September 2026.
Sources: Asia-Plus / Interfax-Kazakhstan 11 Sep 2026
Sea: Chinese ports – Bandar Abbas
Strait of Malacca, Indian Ocean and the Strait of Hormuz
Severely restricted
Most major container lines are not routing through the Strait of Hormuz, and container traffic remains far below normal.
Sources: Lloyd's List Intelligence 30 Sep 2026; Cargo Analytica 1 Oct 2026
Port: Shahid Rajaee, Bandar Abbas
Iran's main container port
Operating
Customs clearance resumed on 5 October after a temporary disruption.
Sources: Tehran Times via Maritime News 6 Oct 2026

Reviewed 8 Oct 2026

Rates, time and trade calendar

Reference rates

Reference rates
Pair	Rate	Day change
USD/CNY	6.7023	−0.0023
EUR/CNY	7.4972	+0.0035
EUR/USD	1.1186	+0.0009

Calculated from European Central Bank euro reference rates for 8 Oct 2026. For reference only.

Time at both ends

Tehran: UTC+3:30
China (Beijing time): UTC+8

China is 4 h 30 min ahead of Tehran.

Trade calendar

6 Feb 2027
Chinese New Year
Factories and freight slow down for several weeks around it. Book space and finish inspections early.
21 Mar 2027
Nowruz, the Iranian new year
Public holidays on 21–24 March and 1–2 April 2027. Many offices are closed or slow for the whole period.

Indicative information for planning. It is not an offer, a freight quote or advice on any law or regulation. Conditions change; we confirm routing, timing and documents in writing for each trade.

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