Tallow and Sulfonic Acid Export Tied to Exchange Purchase

Effective from

8 January 2026

Issued by

Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade

Reference

No. 6892019

The Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, through the Trade Promotion Organization’s Export and Import Regulations Office, has notified Iran Customs that export of industrial tallow (tallow) used in the soap-making and hygiene industry, and of sulfonic acid (alkyl benzene sulfonate), is permitted only where the exporter presents a purchase certificate obtained through the export ring of the Iran Mercantile Exchange.

The decision follows resolutions of the 51st and 52nd sessions of the Market Regulation Working Group concerning the export of non-conventional raw materials used in domestic production. Following requests from the Detergent, Health and Cosmetics Industries Association of Iran, which cited concerns over unchecked exports of industrial tallow (tallow) creating raw-material supply problems for soap producers, and noting that industrial tallow use in the soap-making and hygiene industry also reduces reliance on foreign-currency-intensive palm oil imports, the Ministry directed that export of industrial tallow under tariff codes 1502.1010 and 1502.1090 (other) take place solely through the Iran Mercantile Exchange’s export ring, in accordance with the relevant resolution.

Similarly, in response to the Detergent, Health and Cosmetics Industries Association’s request to prevent sulfonic acid shortages in the country, particularly in the closing months of the year when demand for detergents rises, the Ministry directed that export of sulfonic acid under tariff code 3402.1310 (alkyl benzene sulfonate) likewise take place solely through the Iran Mercantile Exchange’s export ring.

Exporters of industrial tallow used in soap-making and hygiene production, and of sulfonic acid (alkyl benzene sulfonate), should obtain the required export ring purchase certificate from the Iran Mercantile Exchange before proceeding with export, since shipments under the listed tariff codes are no longer permitted through other channels.

Key Details

• Approval authority: Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade
• Responsible organization: Not specified
• Classification: Circular
• Affected procedure: Export
• Document number: 6892019
• Unique identifier: 404101761175
• Document date: December 29, 2025
• Publication date: January 7, 2026
• Effective date: January 8, 2026
• Expiration date: Not specified

This summary is provided for orientation only. The official Persian text issued by the relevant Iranian authority is the governing version.