Iran-UK Trade in 2024: Key Exports, Challenges & Opportunities

Iran's Exports to the United Kingdom in 2024

In recent years, with the presence of ambassadors in Tehran and London, political and trade relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United Kingdom have improved. However, available statistics indicate a decline in trade volume between the two countries in 2024.

According to the UK Department for Business and Trade, the total trade exchange between Iran and the United Kingdom in 2024 decreased by 17% compared to the previous year, reaching £70 million. Of this amount, the UK's exports to Iran amounted to £54 million, reflecting a 20% decrease from the previous year. Meanwhile, the UK's imports from Iran remained unchanged at £16 million.

Additionally, in the first 11 months of 2024, trade between the two countries reached £61 million (‎$74 million), marking a 17% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year. During this period, the UK's imports from Iran declined by 5% to $17 million, while the UK's exports to Iran fell by 20% to $57 million.

These statistics demonstrate that despite improved political relations, trade volume between Iran and the United Kingdom declined in 2024.

List of Iran's Exported Products to the United Kingdom and Export Conditions

Iran's Exported Products to the United Kingdom

According to existing reports, Iran has managed to generate millions of dollars in revenue through exports to the United Kingdom within a short period. Some of the most significant goods exported from Iran to the UK include:

• Floor coverings (excluding gabbeh carpets made from wool or fine animal hair)
• Saffron
• Dried fruits and nuts (such as walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, raisins, and dried mulberries)
• Dates
• Pistachios
• Non-alloy iron and steel products
• Polyethylene film-grade and injection-grade polyethylene
• Hand-woven and traditional carpets such as Sumak Karaman rugs
• Decorative pottery and glassware suitable for interior decor and kitchens
• Various paintings (such as charcoal drawings and colored pencil paintings)
• Tragacanth gum

Export Conditions to the United Kingdom

For Iranian products to be exported to the United Kingdom, adherence to specific conditions and requirements is essential:

Quality Standards: Exported products must comply with international standards approved by the UK.

Health and Quarantine Certifications: For food, agricultural, and animal products, obtaining health and quarantine certificates is mandatory.

Proper Packaging: Products must have appropriate packaging approved by the UK market.

Customs Clearance Permits: Exporters must obtain the necessary permits from relevant authorities in both Iran and the UK.

Compliance with Tax and Trade Regulations: Understanding UK import tariffs, taxes, and restrictions is crucial for successful exports.

Imports from the United Kingdom to Iran

Besides exports, Iran also imports various goods from the United Kingdom. Some of the most important imported items include:

• Beans and soybean meal
• Animal feed corn
• Industrial and agricultural machinery
• Nutritional and pharmaceutical supplements
• Shampoos and cosmetic products
• Equipment and spare parts for vehicles (such as tires)
• Lubricants used in traditional medicine for humans and animals (such as gels)
• Medical and surgical consumables
• Printing machines
• Infant formula

Trade relations between Iran and the United Kingdom present numerous opportunities for traders and exporters. Compliance with relevant laws and standards can help increase Iran's share in international markets, particularly in the UK.

The Role of the Abrisham Road Platform in Developing Exports to the United Kingdom

The Abrisham Road Platform, Iran's first international B2B platform, plays a crucial role in facilitating the export of Iranian products to the United Kingdom. By connecting manufacturers with international buyers, this platform simplifies and expedites the export process. Some of the key advantages of using Abrisham Road for exporting to the UK include:

Access to Global Markets: The platform provides Iranian products with visibility among UK traders and buyers.

Reduced Marketing Costs: Iranian exporters can negotiate directly with foreign buyers without intermediaries.

Simplified Customs and Logistics Procedures: Abrisham Road assists exporters in preparing the necessary documentation and coordinating shipments.

Increased Trust and Transparency in Trade: Providing accurate information about products, suppliers, and collaboration terms helps establish sustainable trade relationships.

Through the Abrisham Road Platform, new export opportunities have emerged for Iranian traders, making the UK market more accessible to Iranian exporters.

Conclusion

Despite improved political relations between Iran and the United Kingdom in recent years, trade statistics indicate a decline in exchanges between the two countries in 2024. The 17% decrease in bilateral trade, along with a 20% drop in the UK's exports to Iran, highlights the impact of challenges such as sanctions, banking restrictions, and stringent trade regulations.

Nevertheless, Iran continues to export a diverse range of products, including saffron, dried fruits, pistachios, carpets, and petrochemical products, to the United Kingdom. Adhering to quality standards, proper packaging, and obtaining health certifications are crucial for entering the UK market.

In this context, the Abrisham Road Platform, as an international B2B marketplace, plays a significant role in boosting Iran's exports to the United Kingdom. By facilitating trade connections, reducing marketing costs, and streamlining customs processes, this platform has created new opportunities for Iranian exporters. Consequently, leveraging modern digital tools and complying with trade regulations can help increase Iran's market share in the UK.